"When it rains heavily, the soil gets waterlogged. That’s when we need to step in with emergency treatment," he says.
He tilts the pot to pour out the water.
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"Keep pouring until the water stops. Then place it under cover so it can dry out properly. That might save it," says Haraldsen.
If your pot has drainage holes and sits on a saucer, the roots may still end up submerged in water.
"A bit of water in the saucer is okay, but not for long, because then the roots can start rotting. It's best to empty the saucer," he says.
The best solution is to place the pot on a tile, so the water runs off and the plant does not get overwatered.
When plants dry out
If the sun has been intense and the plants have dried out, there is still hope.
"You need to water them thoroughly. They might bounce back," says Haraldsen.
Sometimes a shoot or two will survive the dry spell. In that case, give those survivors extra care.
Haraldsen says there is a special satisfaction in rescuing plants that looked beyond saving.
"I probably give plants more chances than my wife does. There are many plants she wants to throw out that I try to bring back to life," he says.
This verbena was attacked by larvae that ate the roots, but there is still life in the pot. "It's coming back strong. Just cut off the dead parts," says Trond Knapp Haraldsen.(Photo: Nina Kristiansen)
Plants with history
He fetches an indoor azalea. They don't tolerate drought well.
"This one was drooping and wilted. I gave it something like an IV of water and lots of nutrients. Then new shoots appeared. The old leaves aren't that pretty, though," says Haraldsen.
But plants tell a story too.
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"You can see its leaves carry the marks of what it’s been through. That has its own kind of beauty," he says.
This azalea nearly died of thirst. With some extra care, it bounced back, even though it still shows signs of the experience.(Photo: Nina Kristiansen)
He places his indoor plants in a cool room when he goes on holiday. Another option is to place them outside – preferably in a shaded area – but that increases the risk of both drought and slug damage.
"You just have to experiment and find what works best. There are also many types of self-watering pots available now, and they do work," he says.
The soil the plants grow in also plays a role.
Potting soil from garden centres often contain a lot of peat. That's not good for the climate or the environment. The Norwegian government therefore plans to ban new peat extraction from bogs.
That said, peat retains moisture very well.
So if you are using peat-free soil, you will need to water your plants twice as often – and with smaller amounts to avoid drowning the roots, according to Haraldsen.
At work, Trond Knapp Haraldsen researches soil. At home, he grows vegetables and flowers in pots, a greenhouse, and a kitchen gardens.(Photo: Nina Kristiansen)
When the insects show up
Haraldsen is usually not too worried about pests.
"I'm a hobby gardener, so I don't do a lot to control them," he says.
"One year I grow flowers, the next year potatoes, then carrots the year after. That way I minimise the risk of pests sticking around and harming the plants," he says.
Before planting, he carefully inspects the soil and removes beetle larvae, such as click beetles and cockchafer larvae. They harm plants by eating the roots.
Haraldsen has a lot of sympathy for insects and allows them to feast in his garden.
His tomato plants were attacked by moth larvae.
"They ate quite a few leaves, but they didn't do serious damage. I don't make a living from gardening, so if the insects enjoy being here, that's fine by me," he says.
He does not use pesticides, and notes that very few are even approved for home gardeners.
A slug appeared while Science Norway was shown around Haraldsen's garden. Did he let it live?(Photo: Nina Kristiansen)
Green soap and rain against pests
Green soap is effective against spider mites and thrips – tiny insects that suck the sap from leaves.
These pests have attacked an orange tree Haraldsen has owned since he was a boy.
Despite losing all its leaves at one point, the tree made a full recovery thanks to green soap, patience, and attentive care.
This plant shows clear signs of spider mite infestation. The tiny spiders spin webs on leaves and stems.(Photo: Shutterstock / NTB)
Spraying with green soap is easiest to do outdoors. But when that's not possible, Haraldsen turns to his vacuum cleaner.
"I place the nozzle against the webbing and suck away the mites and their webs. It works well," he says.
Haraldsen is also unfazed by aphids, which often appear on roses and other plants.
"They don't bother me. They usually appear during warm, dry weather. But once the rain arrives, the aphids disappear," he says.
His tolerance ends when it comes to certain pests. Lifting a pot, he finds a large slug. With one swift snip, it’s split in two, its insides spilling out.
"Slugs are an invasive species. I deal with them daily. Otherwise, they'll eat all my plants," he says.
