How to help your plants survive your holiday and all about your visa


Posted May 13, 2022 in More

After more than a year of being forced to sit at home, most people are looking forward to going on holiday again. For many of us, houseplants are an obstacle. Of course: you don’t want the plants that you have lovingly cared for months to perish during your holiday.

Here are a few tips on how to easily keep your plants alive while you are on holiday. In addition, you will also find some advice about how to prepare for a trip, such as applying for your visa on time and checking the coronavirus restrictions in your destination country.

 

Foreign travel will be possible again

The prospects for the summer holidays are hopeful. In general, holidays abroad are no longer strongly discouraged by the Government. People who have been vaccinated or who can present a negative test result may be able to travel in the near future. Nevertheless, you should check a series of things before you leave:

Do take into account the situation in the country you want to visit. Some countries apply a compulsory quarantine for foreign travellers. In other countries, it is compulsory to be tested on arrival. For several countries, you may also require a negative test upon return to the UK. Another important thing you should take into account is that since the COVID 19 outbreak, visa procedures have changed in many countries. For example, the Indian visa is still not available to people from the UK and Canada and it is still unclear when this will change.

Houseplants became popular during the lockdown

During the lockdown, many people started doing chores in their homes and gardens that they would never have done otherwise. DIY stores and garden centres were very popular last year. Because people spent less on holidays, restaurants and other leisure activities, more money was spent on interior decoration. Houseplants were popular. To make working at home more pleasant, houseplants were purchased in large numbers. Because of their air-purifying effect, many plants also ensured a healthier living and working environment, which was particularly appealing during the pandemic period. But these houseplants can now be a problem for people who want to plan their holidays.

How to keep your plants alive during your holiday

One problem for many travellers is leaving their houseplants behind during their holiday. A good tip is to put the plants in a slightly darker place so that they need less water. It is a good idea to stop feeding them with fertilizer a week before you leave and give them a little extra water. Are your neighbours, friends or family coming to look after your plants? Then make sure you have a simple and clear checklist.

Not everyone has a good contact with his or her neighbours or has relatives or friends who have time to drop by every day. Others don’t dare to leave their plants out of their hands. One solution is to use an irrigation system that automatically waters the plants even in your absence. There are various types for sale whereby a terracotta pipe is inserted into the pot from which water slowly drips. You can also easily make such a system yourself by placing a large bottle or canister filled with water next to the plant. You then insert tubes into the bottle and into the soil of the plant, so that the plant can be continuously watered.

Applying for a visa or travel authorisation

In addition to taking care of your plants, you also must apply for a visa for many countries. Make sure you do that well in advance before you leave. This can often be done online, thanks to a digital application form. This means it is no longer necessary to make an appointment at the embassy or consulate. For example, you can already apply online for the Vietnam visa, the Sri Lanka visa or the Australia visa.  However, you should apply for your visa on time and read all about the remaining coronavirus regulations in these countries before departure.

Photo by vadim kaipov on Unsplash

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