Liikakastelun

Liikakastelu is a plant-care term that describes overwatering, where a plant is given more water than it can use and the soil remains saturated. This creates low oxygen levels in the root zone and can stress or damage roots. Liikakastelun, the genitive form, appears in phrases like liikakastelun riskit or liikakastelun vaikutus in Finnish texts.

Causes of liikakastelun include frequent irrigation, especially in combination with heavy or poorly draining soil, and containers without adequate drainage. It is more common during periods of low plant activity, in rainy seasons, or when the plant’s water needs are misjudged for its species. A soil mix that holds water for long periods or a small pot in hot conditions can contribute to the problem.

Signs of liikakastelun include soil that remains wet for days, yellowing or wilting leaves despite damp soil, soft or rotting roots, a foul smell from the soil, and increased susceptibility to fungal or microbial infections.

Consequences can be serious: roots suffer from oxygen depletion and rot, nutrient uptake declines, plant growth slows or stops, and the plant may eventually die if the situation is not corrected.

Prevention and management involve watering more carefully and adapting to the plant species. Allow the topsoil to dry before watering, use a well-draining potting mix, ensure pots have drainage holes, and adjust frequency by season and plant type. For affected plants, remove the plant from saturated soil, inspect and trim rotten roots, and repot in fresh, well-draining mix. Monitor moisture with finger tests or a meter and reduce watering accordingly.