How to Water Greenhouses

Apply a gentle stream of water appropriate to each plant.

Water plants in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.

Understand general watering requirements for different plants. Mature plants and large plants require more water than small, immature ones. During the summer, plants in warm greenhouses will require more water than plants in cold houses during the winter. The high temperatures in a summer greenhouse will quickly dry out plants, while overwatering in winter can cause a variety of fungal diseases.

Water plants when the top couple inches of soil are dry. This practice will help you avoid overwatering, which deprives a plant's roots of oxygen and is just as detrimental as letting plants dry out.

Give plants a quick drink, then water them again more thoroughly until the water just begins to flow out of the bottom of the pot so you know it has hit the roots. Try filling the pot to the rim and letting it sink in.

Consider installing an irrigation system. For gardeners who tend large greenhouses, hand watering can become quite a chore as the number of plants grows.

Learn about drip irrigation. Drip irrigation provides water directly to the plant's roots and allows the gardener to regulate the amount of water and watering frequency. A drip irrigation system connected to a timer allows the gardener to leave on vacation, or leave the greenhouse otherwise unattended, without fearing for the plants' survival.

Learn about misting systems. Misting systems are loved for their ability to water plants evenly. They are great for watering rare flowers, like orchids. Misting systems require adequate drainage systems (all water must flow out of the greenhouse) to prevent mold, algae growth and rot.

Damp down the greenhouse. Wet the greenhouse floor and staging to increase humidity, particularly when weather is hot and dry. This practice also helps control red spider mites and powdery mildew, both of which prefer dry conditions.