Content
A small green oasis where it is pleasant to relax, communicate with nature, be saturated with positive emotions, get a boost of vivacity, feel summer in all its glory - all this on an ordinary balcony of a city apartment. When planning what flowers to plant on the balcony, and making a dream come true, you can surprisingly transform the facade of a building, give others and yourself a piece of good mood. A large selection of beautifully flowering potted plants allows you to create green miniatures for every taste. So not only summer residents and owners of private houses, but absolutely everyone can join such a useful and pleasant activity as the cultivation of ornamental plants. For these purposes, bush, ampel and curly species are suitable.
In order for the plants to feel comfortable, develop well, and bloom profusely, it is necessary to choose the right varieties and varieties. In this case, it is especially important to take into account the side of the world that the balcony faces. After all, light is one of the most important factors in the life of a green organism. Another important condition is the protection of the composition from through winds and other negative environmental influences. It is best not to use whimsical cultures for landscaping balconies; you will have to spend a lot of effort to ensure that the composition has a presentable look.
Rules for growing flowers on the balcony
Creating a green balcony and wanting to get the maximum of positive emotions in the process of plant life, it is necessary to adhere to some rules when laying down.
- The correct choice of plants in terms of lighting.
It should be recalled that not all plants can be planted in a sunny place - they can easily get sunburn. At the same time, in the shade, flowers can stretch and be weakened. Sometimes it is better to make a composition of plants in one pot, so that they support each other, shade. You can use climbing plants for shading.
- Pot size and material.
Some plant species thrive in a limited earthen coma, but under the scorching rays in summer, a small amount of land will dry out quickly, providing the owner of a green island with some inconvenience with frequent watering. The material from which the pot is made should not warm up easily, otherwise, when the outer surface of the coma dries quickly, the peripheral roots will die off, namely, they intensively nourish the plant. Wood remains the leader among such material. Drainage holes in the drawers are required.
- Landing soil.
When using ordinary garden land from the garden, there is a huge risk of bringing along with it various eggs and larvae of pests, which in a confined space have nothing to eat, except for the roots and leaves of a wonderful oasis. The mechanical composition of such soil usually turns it into a "piece of granite" after several irrigations. Water further ceases to saturate the lump, passing in transit in the space between the pot and the ground. It is most advisable to use specialized universal soils for planting potted plants in the spring. As an additional measure, moisture-retaining granules can be placed in the soil layer.
- Regular watering of plants.
Many find it difficult to decide how often to water potted plants; because of this, overflow or drying is not uncommon. All owners of green balconies should make it a rule to control soil moisture with a finger every day. If the soil on the sunny side of the pot is still damp, then you don't need to water it. Drip irrigation of plants is much better. There are specialized micro-drip installations for potted flowers. The most simplified version is made from the upper part of plastic bottles, in which many holes are pierced with an awl and buried in a layer of soil. It remains only with the next scheduled watering of plants not to forget to replenish bottled water.
- Top dressing.
All potted flowers, especially in summer during flowering, require enhanced feeding. Foliar fertilizers on the leaf are convenient for these purposes. They are simply regularly sprayed with green mass.
- Protection.
Usually, potted crops suffer more from pests and root rot. From the first, insecticidal sticks and solutions with spraying on the leaf help. Rot can be prevented by proper watering and good drainage. But if this happens, the plants are spilled with fungicide solutions.
- It is better to put supports for climbing plants right away, without waiting for intensive vegetation.
Lovers of the southern sun
In fact, there are not many plants that can withstand the withering rays of the sun on the south side. But they are still there, and we will list the most suitable ones.
- Pelargonium. It is also called geranium or kalachik. An amazing plant with many hybrid forms, with a wide range of colors. There are ampelous ivy-leaved species. Geranium is good because the bright sun only contributes to increased growth and flowering. Zonal, ampelous species easily withstand short drying.
- Blooming purslane. There are ordinary and double types. Purslane is able to create a wonderful mood with the variegation of its bright colors. Like succulents, it accumulates moisture in the leaves and can do without water for a long time. Purslane belongs to those plants that reproduce by self-sowing, therefore, so that it appears the next year, the soil in pots is not loosened after the end of the growing season.
- Morning glory. These wonderful curly flowers easily create openwork screens, shade and a secluded atmosphere.
- Petunia. Truly a royal flower. He loves the sun, summer, but also water. Therefore, when starting such handsome men on the balcony, you need to be prepared for regular watering, which must be carried out twice on hot days. Petunia is also demanding for feeding. In their absence, the leaves may fade over time, and the plant will quickly move away.
Advice
In order for the petunia to bloom profusely, it is necessary to remove the faded flowers along with the seed box every day.
A sunny balcony will also withstand: sweet peas, cobea, aster, zinnia, canna, gatsania, godetia, scented tobacco, phlox, dahlias, stonecrops, succulents.
In the east or west
These are the most benign habitats when the sun appears, but does not dry up. Many types of indoor and garden plants can be grown on balconies of this arrangement. These include: mattiola, pelargonium, calibrachoa, petunia, sweet peas, nasturtium, calendula, marigolds, viola, daisies, dolichos, verbena, lobelia, levkoy, dahlias, asters, heather.
Shady north side
It is because of the constant shade that it is very difficult to grow plants, especially flowering ones, on the northern balcony.
- Host. An irreplaceable plant for creating a green array. It will give the balcony a certain exoticism. Almost all hosts feel great in the shade and at the same time bloom profusely.
- Fern. For lovers of forest landscapes, this is what you need. Fern in spring, summer and autumn looks spectacular due to openwork foliage. You can create a lower tier from it on the balcony.
- Fuchsia. It blooms surprisingly beautifully, but requires a lot of moisture.Ampelous species of this flower are widespread.
- Tuberous and ever-flowering begonia. Grateful plants with good watering, frequent feeding. It is advisable not to spill water on the leaves and make sure that there is no overflow. With poor drainage, tubers easily rot.
- Calceolaria. A beautiful plant for which the northern shady side is ideal.
Well, the green balcony is ready, this is a whole world in miniature, which requires love and attention. It will bring joy and good mood. Give him your care.
We recommend that you read the article: caring for an orchid at home
Growing flowers on the balcony is as enjoyable, interesting and rewarding as in a real garden. There are many unpretentious beautiful flowers that feel great on the balcony. Only for this, you must first select and grow them correctly. Then the house will be more beautiful, and the street will be more cheerful.
Landscaping gives a huge scope for imagination - you can pick up plants of different sizes, growth, shape, color, flowering time. Of course, all this is taking into account the requirements that plants need for their normal development.
When to plant flowers on the balcony
In order to make a small area of an apartment bloom almost all year round, it is necessary to choose and plant the plants correctly, taking into account the microclimate and flowering time.
Spring
The balcony will delight us with flowering already at the very beginning of May, if you plant ready-made seedlings of ever-flowering begonia, daisies and viola in boxes. Bulbous plants - daffodils, tulips, crocuses, hyacinths - are also successfully distilled on glazed balconies. They begin to bloom in early May and continue to bloom until mid-June, and the bearded carnation even throughout June.
Summer
Snapdragon, petunia, marigolds, azalea, levkoy, agave, begonia, sweet peas and others bloom most intensively in summer. Some of them, for example, azaleas, cyclamen, bromeliads, hydrangeas, ficus, agave, aloe, are great for fresh air. In winter, in particular, ever-flowering begonia, coleus and pelargonium are transferred to the house. Subsequently, they can be cut and re-exhibited on the balcony next year.
Growing flowers on the balcony
However, not all indoor plants do well in outdoor conditions, say, subtropical and humid tropics. Peperomia, anthurium, royal begonias, uzambar violets need a glazed room with high humidity.
Autumn
Blooming may continue in the fall. To do this, use kobei, tuberous begonia, petunia. Until late autumn, almost until severe frosts, nasturtiums and asters bloom. In the fall, some flowers, such as chrysanthemums, can be brought out of the garden to further extend the flowering time.
In the autumn, marigolds bloom for a long time and brightly, although they begin to bloom in early summer, from about mid-June.
Glazing significantly prolongs the flowering period of plants. The ability to protect them from the scorching sun and dose sunlight (for example, by changing the angle of inclination of the blinds) significantly improves the conditions for their maintenance.
How to plant: the choice of boxes and soil
Landscaping a balcony is an inexhaustible source of joy and expectation of a miracle, because growing flowers is akin to turning it into a Garden of Eden. Flowers can be planted in boxes, placed in pots or containers - there are many ways.
Flower boxes for the balcony
The flower box, as a rule, should be the size of its future “pets”. If dahlias, chrysanthemums and zinnias love relative freedom, then bulbous ones - on the contrary, marigolds, marigolds, ageratum, celosia and balsam are planted tightly.
To make it convenient, flowers should be planted in boxes, the minimum sizes of which should be:
depth - 25 cm,
width - 20-25 cm,
the optimal length is 100 cm.
At the bottom of each box, holes should be made (pitch - 20-30 cm, diameter - up to 1 cm) to ensure drainage of excess water and ventilation. Then drainage is laid.
Choose one of the options:
• a layer of shards;
• small brick crushed stone (3-4 cm);
• upside-down plastic bottles, cut 2-3 cm high, with sand and expanded clay poured on top.
After that, all this is covered from above with nutritious soil, but not to the top. Otherwise, when watering or rain, the earth will be washed out of the box. Boxes can be installed on the floor, attached to the inside of the railing.
Useful tips for decorating glazed and open balconies
Of course, a small box is more mobile, but the earth in them dries out quickly, and the plants will have to be looked after more carefully.
To protect boxes made of unpainted wood from decay, they must be painted in 2-3 layers. It is better to choose paint in brown or green colors, so as not to distract from the content - the flowers, thus, will look much brighter.
If you are going to install a window box on an external window sill that has a slope, you should securely attach triangular timber bars to it along its entire length. In this way, the drawer can be positioned horizontally and securely fastened to the window frame.
The box can also be strengthened in the absence of an external window sill - it is simply suspended using metal strong hooks or brackets.
It is recommended to fill the space of the box with compact forms of plants growing upwards and creeping ones, which will fill the voids. Then the whole composition will look like a single whole.
The boxes can be neatly hidden by planting hanging plants in the foreground. White boxes are used to protect from the sun's rays and overheating.
You can also decorate with curly flowers, in this case, you must first install the mount for flowers on the balcony. These can be strings stretched from boxes to the wall, fishing line or wire, or special lattices. The ampel colors are "helped" by special wall mounts.
Flower pots
If you choose the right plant for a beautiful flower pot, then this union will become the visual center of the flower arrangement. Of course, the choice of a pot is not limited to beauty and color. More important is its size. The root system of the plant will help you to orient yourself correctly. For example, for roots that spread mainly in a horizontal plane, wide and shallow bowls are more suitable, for others, pots on the floor, on a windowsill, or on shelves.
In order for the dishes to ensure the good development of plants, they must:
• poorly conduct heat,
• be strong,
• do not leak water,
• be comfortable when replanting plants.
The most practical are plastic flower pots when grown on a balcony or loggia. But experienced gardeners are more fond of brown or red unglazed ceramics. It is a breathable material that retains moisture and is chemically neutral.
Among its shortcomings, it should be noted: a large mass, fragility, not frost resistance, the appearance over time of an ugly lime deposit on the walls, which cannot be wiped off with a regular brush.
Today there is an alternative option - keramoplasty, which consists of two components - clay and plastic. Pots made of this material outwardly resemble ceramic ones, but they are much stronger.
Flowerpot - a beautiful and airy design option
Pots and pots are primarily distinguished by the presence of drainage holes. They are in pots, but not in pots. Therefore, flowers in a hanging planter can be safely watered and not be afraid to splatter, say, expensive wall decoration. But at the same time, literally after 15 minutes, excess water will need to be drained from the pots. Otherwise, the roots of flowers begin to rot over time.
Therefore, plants are rarely planted directly in pots, and then in the presence of a drainage layer of broken shards or expanded clay. Watering is very moderate. Of course, when the temperature outside is more than 25 ° C, you can safely leave excess water in the pots, it evaporates quickly, without having time to harm the plant.
As a rule, pots for flowers on the balcony are used to give a finished look to a plant + planting capacity composition. On the other hand, the planter helps the growth of air humidity at the plant level - it is enough that the diameter of the pot, which is placed in the planter, is 3 cm smaller than the diameter of the planter. The pot is placed on expanded clay drainage and make sure that it is constantly wet.
Flowers on the balcony can be planted in different types. First of all, you need to plan the result that will be obtained when breeding certain varieties of plants. If the design of the loggia allows you to grow small flowers, you can use pots to arrange them or make shelves of different shapes and in any quantity.
In the event that there is little space on the balcony, corner racks are the best option. And curly flowers, on the contrary, allow you to hide some defects in the design of the room and divert attention to yourself in a situation where the design of the balcony is too simple.
Choosing the type of plant, planting time
Flowers on the balcony should be grown in accordance with their developmental characteristics: when the planting material is laid, how long does it grow, the shape and shade of flowers, leaves, and the nuances of care. Some varieties thrive better in shaded areas, while others, on the contrary, will wither without enough light.
Photo and description: Popular types of flowers for baoks
Summer period
The following flowers for the balcony give the most magnificent color in summer: marigolds, petunia, sweet peas, begonia, levkoy, snapdragon, azalea and some other species.
Best of all in summer bloom: snapdragons, petunia, marigolds, azalea, levkoy, agave, begonia, sweet peas and others.
There are varieties that thrive in the fresh air (azalea, agave, ficus, hydrangea), while others are better to grow on a glazed loggia, and in addition, suitable conditions are created in the room, in particular, the humidity level should be increased.
Autumn period
When deciding what flowers to plant on the balcony so that they give color in September, October, November, you should pay attention to petunia, kobei, begonia. Later, most varieties remain on the stems of aster flowers. Another long-lasting plant species is marigold.
Winter
Cyclamens are cold-resistant: during the flowering period, they can withstand temperatures in the range of 6-8 degrees. Heather and Erica bloom in winter.
There are flowers that do not care about frost and cold. Even at sub-zero temperatures, they continue to delight the eye with their beauty.
If the room of the loggia is insulated, you can grow such flowers without consequences. Of course, not all plants will survive in open space, especially when it comes to areas with a rather harsh climate.
Spring period
Flowers on your own balcony at this time can become a decoration already in early May. The most popular options are begonia, viola, daisies. They are grown using seedlings. To get flowers on your balcony in May, bulbs of daffodils, tulips, crocuses, hyacinths are laid in the ground. The duration of their flowering is on average 2 months.
Selection of a variety taking into account external factors
On the loggia, you can grow annual, biennial and perennial plants. To determine the type, you need to take into account the life span of the flower, the need for exposure to sunlight of different intensities. This means that the sunny side is not suitable for all varieties, as well as the north, northeast.
South facing balcony
Such plants love the sun more than others: petunia, verbena, purslane, viola, mignonette.More options: Indian canna, African agapanthus, tobacco, phlox. These are not all flowers for decorating balconies, but they are considered one of the most popular. Combinations of different plants can be made, such as phlox and tobacco.
For some types of pots will not work, it is better to use tubs (Indian canna). If you don't want to plant flowers on your balcony, plant greens, herbs (mint, parsley, basil, etc.).
South balcony: ideal for growing climbing plants. They make it possible to shade the windows from the scorching sun.
Climbing plants will look great on the loggia: Chinese magnolia vine, honeysuckle (perennial); nasturtium, sweet peas, ornamental beans (annuals). They can be planted in pots, it is not necessary to equip long beds.
Curly flowers are more suitable for a loggia if the side is sunny. The design can be varied: arranging a continuous curtain of loaches or single planting in a pots.
Shady side
There are also less light-loving flowers for decorating balconies: tuberous begonia, fuchsia, balsam, a certain variety of marigolds (tagetes), agearum (long-flowered). The sun on the eastern and northeastern sides appears in the morning hours and does not have a high radiation intensity. Therefore, the design of the loggia should be based on the design of plants with flowers of light shades (white, pink, light lilac).
You can pick up ampelous species that are intended for cultivation in pots or hanging flowerpots. Some climbing plants are the best option, as well as flowers for decorating balconies with flowing / creeping stems. Indoor varieties are also grown on the northern loggia, since they do not tolerate direct sunlight well. However, accustoming flowers to outdoor conditions is carried out in stages.
Selection and preparation of a place for the location of containers
You can make a flower garden on your balcony by installing boxes or other containers on the parapet or by fixing them to the wall. More possibilities are provided by open shelves or shelves. For the balcony, it is recommended to choose the second option. But on the loggia, you can install corner structures.
Combination of using pots and plastic containers
If the flower garden on your balcony consists of plants that do not tolerate direct sunlight, then it is better to determine the place for it in the depths of this room. For this purpose, wall shelves are used for flowers of any configuration (straight, angular). For loaches, you can make boxes or buy ready-made containers with attachment to the parapet. This placement option will fit into almost any design.
Choosing a container for landing
To decide on a container for plants, you first need to decide which flowers you plan to grow on your balcony. There are more freedom-loving varieties: dahlias, chrysanthemums. Others, on the contrary, are better planted denser: marigolds, marigolds.
When placing plants on an open balcony, choose flowers, guided by their characteristics, choose unpretentious and hardy ones.
The preferred option is when the containers fit into the design of the room in shade. If containers, planters or pots are installed on a wall or parapet, it is advisable that they match the color of the supporting surface. In the case when the flower garden is broken on the shelves, it is recommended to select containers to match the flowers, but it will be better if the pots and pots are made in paler shades so as not to distract attention.
It is also important to take into account the design of the room: the general color scheme, style direction. The main requirements for the container for planting: strength, ease of plant transplantation. The container should also not let water through.
The planter does not have drainage holes, so either you need to water the plants less intensively, or you need to make additional holes, but at the same time, excess water flowing down can stain the decoration and furnishings / furniture.
Tips for arranging a flower garden on the balcony
If you plan to plant flowers in wooden containers, they need to be painted in several layers, having previously primed, since the tree does not tolerate moisture well. DIY flower shelves are created taking into account the same recommendations, which will extend their service life.
Direct rays are destructive. If the plant is light-loving, this does not mean that it needs to be exposed to the sun.
When installing on an inclined surface (for example, external window sills), it is advisable to make a support that will make it possible to place the container straight. For attachment outside the home or on the parapet, you can use hangers: brackets, hooks.
To reduce the intensity of heating the container under the sun, choose white boxes or containers. If you plan to place the flower garden on the corner shelves in the back of the balcony, you need to avoid additional shading of this area, respectively, climbing plants should not be planted in the foreground.
In the case when it is important to emphasize the design of the balcony, and not to plant a greenhouse, a limited number of plants with certain characteristics should be used: grasses or plantings with a lush color of suitable shades.
Article rating:
Growing flowers on the balcony is as enjoyable, interesting and rewarding as in a real garden. There are many unpretentious beautiful flowers that feel great on the balcony. Only for this it is necessary first to select and grow them correctly. Then the house will be more beautiful, and the street will be more cheerful.
Landscaping gives a huge scope for imagination - you can pick up plants of different sizes, growth, shape, color, flowering time. Of course, all this is taking into account the requirements that plants need for their normal development.
When to plant flowers on the balcony
In order to make a small area of an apartment bloom almost all year round, it is necessary to choose and plant the plants correctly, taking into account the microclimate and flowering time.
Spring
The balcony will delight us with flowering already at the very beginning of May, if you plant ready-made seedlings of ever-flowering begonia, daisies and viola in boxes. Bulbous plants - daffodils, tulips, crocuses, hyacinths - are also successfully distilled on glazed balconies. They begin to bloom in early May and continue to bloom until mid-June, and the bearded carnation even throughout June.
Summer
Snapdragon, petunia, marigolds, azalea, levkoy, agave, begonia, sweet peas and others bloom most intensively in summer. Some of them, for example, azaleas, cyclamen, bromeliads, hydrangeas, ficus, agave, aloe, are great for fresh air. In winter, in particular, ever-flowering begonia, coleus and pelargonium are transferred to the house. Subsequently, they can be cut and re-exhibited on the balcony next year.
However, not all indoor plants do well in outdoor conditions, say, subtropical and humid tropics. Peperomia, anthurium, royal begonias, uzambar violets need a glazed room with high humidity.
Autumn
Blooming may continue in the fall. To do this, use kobei, tuberous begonia, petunia. Until late autumn, almost until severe frosts, nasturtiums and asters bloom. In the fall, some flowers, such as chrysanthemums, can be brought out of the garden to further extend the flowering time.
In the autumn, marigolds bloom for a long time and brightly, although they begin to bloom in early summer, from about mid-June.
Glazing significantly extends the flowering period of plants.The ability to protect them from the scorching sun and dose sunlight (for example, by changing the angle of inclination of the blinds) significantly improves the conditions for their maintenance.
How to plant: the choice of boxes and soil
Landscaping a balcony is an inexhaustible source of joy and expectation of a miracle, because growing flowers is akin to turning it into a Garden of Eden. Flowers can be planted in boxes, placed in pots or containers - there are many ways.
Flower boxes for the balcony
The flower box, as a rule, should be the size of its future “pets”. If dahlias, chrysanthemums and zinnias love relative freedom, then bulbous ones - on the contrary, marigolds, marigolds, ageratum, celosia and balsam are planted tightly.
To make it convenient, flowers should be planted in boxes, the minimum sizes of which should be:
- depth - 25 cm,
- width - 20-25 cm,
- the optimal length is 100 cm.
At the bottom of each box, holes should be made (pitch - 20-30 cm, diameter - up to 1 cm) to ensure drainage of excess water and ventilation. Then drainage is laid.
Choose one of the options:
- layer of shards,
- small brick crushed stone (3-4 cm),
- upside-down plastic bottles, cut 2-3 cm high, with sand and expanded clay poured on top.
After that, all this is covered from above with nutritious soil, but not to the top. Otherwise, when watering or rain, the earth will be washed out of the box. Boxes can be installed on the floor, attached to the inside of the railing.
Useful tips for decorating glazed and open balconies
- Of course, a small box is more mobile, but the earth in them dries out quickly, and the plants will have to be looked after more carefully.
- To protect boxes made of unpainted wood from decay, they must be painted in 2-3 layers. It is better to choose paint in brown or green colors, so as not to distract from the content - this way the flowers will look much brighter.
- If you are going to install a window box on an external window sill that has a slope, you should securely attach triangular timber bars to it along its entire length. In this way, the drawer can be positioned horizontally and securely fastened to the window frame.
- The box can also be strengthened in the absence of an external window sill - it is simply suspended using metal strong hooks or brackets.
- It is recommended to fill the space of the box with compact forms of plants growing upwards and creeping ones, which will fill the voids. Then the whole composition will look like a single whole.
- The boxes can be neatly hidden by planting hanging plants in the foreground.
- White boxes are used to protect from the sun's rays and overheating.
You can also decorate with curly flowers, in this case, you must first install the mount for flowers on the balcony. These can be strings stretched from boxes to the wall, fishing line or wire, or special lattices. The ampel colors are "helped" by special wall mounts.
Flower pots
If you choose the right plant for a beautiful flower pot, then this union will become the visual center of the flower arrangement. Of course, the choice of a pot is not limited to beauty and color. More important is its size. The root system of the plant will help you to orient yourself correctly. For example, for roots that spread mainly in a horizontal plane, wide and shallow bowls are more suitable, for others, pots on the floor, on a windowsill, or on shelves.
In order for the dishes to ensure the good development of plants, they must:
- weakly conduct heat,
- be strong
- do not let water through,
- be convenient when replanting plants.
The most practical are plastic flower pots when grown on a balcony or loggia. But experienced gardeners are more fond of brown or red unglazed ceramics. It is a breathable material that retains moisture and is chemically neutral.
Among its shortcomings, it should be noted: a large mass, fragility, not frost resistance, the appearance over time of an ugly lime deposit on the walls, which cannot be wiped off with a regular brush.
Today there is an alternative option - keramoplasty, which consists of two components - clay and plastic. Pots made of this material outwardly resemble ceramic ones, but they are much stronger.
Flowerpot - a beautiful and airy design option
planter for flowers
Pots and pots are primarily distinguished by the presence of drainage holes. They are in pots, but not in pots. Therefore, flowers in a hanging planter can be safely watered and not be afraid to splatter, say, expensive wall decoration. But at the same time, literally after 15 minutes, excess water will need to be drained from the pots. Otherwise, the roots of flowers begin to rot over time.
Therefore, plants are rarely planted directly in pots, and then in the presence of a drainage layer of broken shards or expanded clay. Watering is very moderate. Of course, when the temperature outside is more than 25 ° C, you can safely leave excess water in the pots, it evaporates quickly, without having time to harm the plant.
As a rule, pots for flowers on the balcony are used to give a finished look to a plant + planting capacity composition. On the other hand, the planter helps the growth of air humidity at the plant level - it is enough that the diameter of the pot, which is placed in the planter, is 3 cm smaller than the diameter of the planter. The pot is placed on expanded clay drainage and make sure that it is constantly wet.
