What should I do about dead plants?

Question

I was commissioned to water plants for a woman while she is away. She said she will be back every few weeks or so. Watering days are 3 days a week, and I have not missed going over and watering on any of those days; however, plants on her porch are dead. What should I do, as I have watered them every watering day and have no idea why they are suddenly completely crisp and brown? I don't want her to think that I'm irresponsible or haven't been following up on my duties. Is there any way that I can save the plants if they aren't completely dead? Please help me.

Answer 1

If you are sure the plants are past being helped throw them in the garbage or in her compost heap, if she has one.

It is much more disappointing to look at your dead plants than to see an empty pot.

If they were in pots outside and the weather was hot they were in need of more frequent watering. The plants that still have life left; you could start to water more in an attempt to bring them back.

The best thing to do is your best to save the ones you can save – remove the ones that have gone beyond recovery and explain to the woman you followed her instructions explicitly- without fail. And had you known what to do other than her instructions to help the plant thrive you would have done so.

If you are inexperienced with what the plants may have needed and followed her instructions – you can not be held at fault. You did the best you could AND what SHE told you to do.

It may help for you to show her a ‘log’ of what days you went over and at what time. You can also show her how you watered the plants so she can see you did as she said.

If she is reasonable, she will not hold you responsible or feel you did anything but your best for her. She may even share some of her knowledge about plant care when she returns and realizes you did your best.

Answer 2

It's been a really hot summer.  I think she may have been trying to beat the heat by having you water them, but it didn't work.  You could try moving the plants somewhere cooler or with less direct sunlight.

Answer 3

Plants do not know your coming to water, evidently they needed more water then they were getting. If they are a common plant and you feel it was your fault then go buy her a new one and plant in the same planter. Unless it was very large then most likely she won't care. If it was a really large plant then if it wasn't in a suitably large pot that may be why it died, not enough soil to hold the water which may mitigate your contribution. However, you were caring for them she may not pay if a lot are gone. You were responsible to keep them alive, not explain away they died and want paid anyway.  Buying new plants may still be the best way to go.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Were the plants on her porch in pots?  If so, they needed to be watered every day during this heat (maybe even twice).  If that's the case, the only thing you can try is to start watering everyday, but they very well could be too far gone.  You will have to replace them or pay her for them.