Container that Drains? Soil Drying Out Too Fast?

[kizzzzurt]

You should also try to soak your medium before putting your plant in there. Fill your pot half way up, water, put more dirt, put your plant, water, fill with dirt, water, and leave some space at the top so your water can sit there and not just immediately fall out of your pot, it will drain down into your medium if you have the right perlite/soil composition.

 

[LetsRollABlunt]

Now that everyone has had their say, I'll have mine.

My guess is that you never got the soil *wet* in the first place. Peat based mixes (MG is one), will actually repel water when dry.

Put your plant is a saucer or sauce pot or something similar. Then water, and allow the water to come up almost to the rim of the pot. Let it sit in this for 1/2 hr or so, till it doesn't float anymore.

NOW, your medium will be fully saturated and you can get on with a 'normal' watering schedule. Do this when ever the medium becomes overly dry and won't absorb water.

Wet

You mean allow it to come up to the rim inside the pot or around it in the sauce pan? Also, this won't suffocate my plants?

And no I didn't wet my soil to start with. I planted then watered.

 

[Wetdog]

You mean allow it to come up to the rim inside the pot or around it in the sauce pan? Also, this won't suffocate my plants?

And no I didn't wet my soil to start with. I planted then watered.

^^^^That's what I figured^^^^^^

Put your plant is a saucepan, 5 gallon bucket, whatever it will fit in.

Water your plant, add water to the pan, both, till the water comes up to near the top of the pot the plants in. Let it soak till it doesn't float anymore.

REMOVE from whatever it's in. It will drain and also be fully saturated. Feel the weight so you know how it feels fully wet. When it is 75% lighter than this, water again. If you haven't yet, firm the soil down around your plant. Use the backs of your fingers.

Simple, no?

HTH

Wet

 

[LetsRollABlunt]

^^^^That's what I figured^^^^^^

Put your plant is a saucepan, 5 gallon bucket, whatever it will fit in.

Water your plant, add water to the pan, both, till the water comes up to near the top of the pot the plants in. Let it soak till it doesn't float anymore.

REMOVE from whatever it's in. It will drain and also be fully saturated. Feel the weight so you know how it feels fully wet. When it is 75% lighter than this, water again. If you haven't yet, firm the soil down around your plant. Use the backs of your fingers.

Simple, no?

HTH

Wet

Thanks man I'll give it a try.

 

[phillk6751]

You mean allow it to come up to the rim inside the pot or around it in the sauce pan? Also, this won't suffocate my plants?

And no I didn't wet my soil to start with. I planted then watered.

So you know how to water properly mgmc? I've had some issues and my pots 2 have drain catchers that will hold about 2-4oz water, and 4 autowatering pots...so you say to basically fully saturate by kinda drowning each watering? I do seem to have better results with the soil always moist. I did yesterday airate the soil with a fork about 1/4" but I should actually very lightly pack it?