Does Watering Flowers Do Anything in Animal Crossing? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, watering flowers absolutely does have significant effects in the Animal Crossing series, particularly in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While it might seem like a simple task, proper watering plays a crucial role in flower growth, hybrid creation, and overall garden management. The simple act of using your watering can unlocks a variety of possibilities within the game. Let’s delve into the specifics of what watering flowers actually accomplishes.
The Benefits of Watering Flowers in Animal Crossing
Encouraging Flower Growth and Propagation
Watering flowers is paramount for flower propagation. When you water a flower, it has a chance to spawn a new flower in any of the adjacent eight squares (a 3×3 grid) around it. This is how your flower population can rapidly grow, allowing you to establish large gardens of your favorite blooms. This also applies to unwatered flowers; however, watering greatly increases the chance of propagation.
Facilitating Hybrid Flower Creation
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of watering is its direct impact on creating hybrid flowers. Hybrid flowers are special varieties created by cross-pollinating two different flowers of the same type. Watering flowers is not just recommended but is a requirement for cross-pollination to occur. If you have two flowers of different colors planted beside each other and water them, there is a chance that a new hybrid flower will appear in one of the adjacent spots. Without water, the chance of a hybrid spawning is significantly reduced.
Preventing Flowers from Wilting
While not as prominent in New Horizons, watering helps to keep flowers looking their best. A watered flower will not turn brown the next day, so only the ones that turn brown need watering. This mechanic ensures that your garden remains vibrant and colorful. Keep in mind, this mechanic is far more noticeable in other entries of the Animal Crossing series.
Maximizing Flower Yield
Some other entries in the series, such as Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and Farm Together implement different systems where watering flowers can affect yield. In these instances, consistently watering flowers leads to better blooms, better earnings and increased experience.
Debunking Common Watering Misconceptions
Overwatering
Contrary to real-world gardening, you cannot overwater flowers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Once a flower is watered, there is no additional benefit from watering it again on the same day. You only need to water each flower once per day.
Watering Trees
It’s important to remember that you do not need to water trees in Animal Crossing. Trees grow independently and do not benefit from watering, allowing you to focus solely on your flower beds.
Rain
Don’t worry about grabbing your watering can if it rains! Rain functions as a natural water source in the game and has the exact same effect as watering with your can. If it rains, your flowers are covered for that day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Use Different Watering Cans for Flowers?
Yes, you can use different watering cans, such as the fimsy watering can, regular watering can, and golden watering can. The only difference between them is their durability, and the golden watering can also water nine squares at a time. There is no effect on the efficiency of watering, they all just provide water to the flowers.
2. Do I Need to Water Flowers Every Day?
Yes, if you wish to encourage the growth and propagation of flowers, you should water your flowers every day. However, if you are not actively trying to spawn more flowers, it isn’t as critical.
3. Can I Water Flowers More Than Once a Day?
No, there is no benefit to watering flowers more than once a day. Once a flower has been watered, it will be at its maximum benefit.
4. Do Flowers Need to Be Planted in a Specific Pattern for Hybridization?
While not required, planting flowers in a checkerboard pattern is highly recommended. This leaves space around each flower, allowing for new sprouts to appear, which can lead to easier hybrid creation.
5. How Do I Identify Hybrid Flowers?
Unfortunately, there’s no distinct visual way to instantly identify a hybrid flower. You’ll need to pay attention to where new flowers appear around your parent flowers. It’s best practice to create a small patch of bare dirt around your parent flowers, to easily identify the offspring flowers.
6. Do Flowers Grow Faster if I Water Them?
No, watering does not affect how fast a flower grows. Once it’s been planted, a flower will mature in a day. However, watering the plant does affect how many flowers grow.
7. What Happens If I Don’t Water My Flowers?
If you do not water your flowers, they will not die, or despawn. However, they will have significantly less chance of propagating or spawning hybrid flowers.
8. Can I Pick Flowers and Replant Them?
Yes, you can pick flowers and replant them anywhere on your island. When you pick a flower, you obtain the bloom to be worn on your head or used as an item. The plant will still remain in place, and will begin to grow another bloom the next day.
9. What is the Hardest Flower to Breed in Animal Crossing?
The blue rose is considered the most difficult flower to breed, followed by green mums, purple pansies, and purple windflowers. These flowers have complex genetic codes and take time, care, and patience to acquire.
10. What is the Easiest Flower to Breed in Animal Crossing?
Black roses are often cited as one of the easiest hybrid flowers to obtain. Other easy ones include pink windflowers, purple mums, and orange pansies.
11. Do Trees Need Watering in Animal Crossing?
No, trees do not need watering. Once planted, they grow on their own at a consistent rate. This allows you to focus your time on caring for your flower beds.
12. How Do I Get Rid of Too Many Flowers?
The simplest ways to get rid of excess flowers are to either pick them and sell them at Nook’s Cranny, or, to dig them up and throw them away in a trash can. If you do not have a trash can, you can use any indoor garbage cans, or you can simply place the unwanted flowers on the beach or other low-traffic areas.
13. Can I Swim in Animal Crossing?
Yes, you can swim! However, you will need to purchase a Wet Suit from Nook’s Cranny first.
14. What Does the Toilet Do in Animal Crossing?
If you sit on the toilet, you can get rid of any energy points you’ve gained from eating fruits, produce, and turnips. This allows you to easily dig up trees and rocks.
15. What’s the Best Way to Maximize Flower Profits in Animal Crossing?
To maximize profits, focus on breeding and selling hybrid flowers, which tend to fetch higher prices. Also, consider selling flowers in bulk during specific events or when special characters visit, as they may offer better prices.
By understanding the mechanics of watering flowers, you can effectively enhance your garden, create rare hybrid varieties, and make the most of your time in Animal Crossing. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the series, watering is an essential aspect of creating a beautiful and thriving island!