Solution to make water be absorbed into to top of soil when watering dry top-surface?

Maersk

Maersk

Active Member
I am wondering if anybody knows a good work around for this?

Its an annoying problem, when you water a dry surface the water just rolls into a ball and is not absorbed into the soil.

After maybe 20 seconds or so the soil finally accepts it, but sometimes it can overflow if you do not wait for it.

I was thinking maybe spray the top part of soil with a sprayer first, but wondering if anybody got any other better ways?
 
PSUAGRO.

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
Just till/"scratch" the top layer........... simple solution to your drainage issues
 
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Nugachino

Nugachino

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure if it's safe for people. But there's such thing as a wetting agent. The local bunnings sells it in the gardening section.
 
Nugachino

Nugachino

Well-Known Member
Then again. A tiny amount of detergent may do the same thing. As that breaks water surface tension.

Not sure if you want to go that route though. I probably wouldn't.
 
ipeeinpools

ipeeinpools

Well-Known Member
Maersk said:
I am wondering if anybody knows a good work around for this?

Its an annoying problem, when you water a dry surface the water just rolls into a ball and is not absorbed into the soil.

After maybe 20 seconds or so the soil finally accepts it, but sometimes it can overflow if you do not wait for it.

I was thinking maybe spray the top part of soil with a sprayer first, but wondering if anybody got any other better ways?
Click to expand...
so your looking for a way to cut 20 seconds off your watering...? Once the soil is wet it will take more water, just give it a second, water slower, buy a smaller watering can, grow a cover crop, grow a ground cover, cover with barley straw.
 
Maersk

Maersk

Active Member
Its ok saying slower water for 1-5 plants, but when you got alot more its an issue.

I think the wetting agent will work.
 
Richard Drysift

Richard Drysift

Well-Known Member
I would not use a "wetting agent" but adding in some vermiculite for the next run will help your mix better retain water. Also try mulching the top of your pots with straw; helps keep the root ball from drying out as fast. If you grow in fabric containers you can always place the plants in a wide shallow vessel & try watering them from the bottom.
Always water your plants at least twice: once lightly to moisten the top layers of soil and then again 5-10 minutes later to deliver water to the lower root areas. It's much better to water lightly more often than it is to drench them every few days. Never allow water to run through; if it does the root ball is too dry & you must water them slow.
 
wellandwitham

wellandwitham

Member
Bit of organic washing uo liquid will help, couple drops per gallon. Or use a chunk of aloe blitzed in a blender with water then add to water. Both will act as wetting agent. And as said add mulch of some type to pots.Fabric pots and SIPs ftw
 
Maersk

Maersk

Active Member
I think a drip system is going to be best.

I tried today watering whilst being very patient, the main problem I am having is the water is coming out the sides of the pots (air pots), and not being delivered into the bottom part of the soil.

I also tried wat @Richard Drysift said, water a bit, then come back and do it again, this worked slightly better as less whater came out the sides of the pots, however I still dont believe the very bottom 1/3rd of the soil is getting wet.

I will run a test today, filling up an empty airpot with no seedling and then watering it slowly twice 15 min apart, after 1 days I will cut the pot down the side to see how far the water trasnfers itself into the bottom section soil from the top.
 
PSUAGRO.

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
Maersk said:
I think a drip system is going to be best.

I tried today watering whilst being very patient, the main problem I am having is the water is coming out the sides of the pots (air pots), and not being delivered into the bottom part of the soil.

I also tried wat @Richard Drysift said, water a bit, then come back and do it again, this worked slightly better as less whater came out the sides of the pots, however I still dont believe the very bottom 1/3rd of the soil is getting wet.

I will run a test today, filling up an empty airpot with no seedling and then watering it slowly twice 15 min apart, after 1 days I will cut the pot down the side to see how far the water trasnfers itself into the bottom section soil from the top.
Click to expand...
ah, you are using airpots.............common issue with them. Not much you can do ATM to avoid this without changing soil/medium structure. You can try to aerate by jamming a long rod/probe around the stem ,all the way down to the bottom......drip system should work too as a more permanent solution

good luck
 
Maersk

Maersk

Active Member
@PSUAGRO. Yea, perhaps I shoulda mentioned airpots earlier on.

I think realistically the drip system gona be the way.

@1000ppm Yucca? is this another wetting agent to be mixed with the water?
 
coreywebster

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
Yeah yukka is a wetting agent. It will help but wont solve the problem. I had the same issue with cloth pots. Im used to plactic pots.
Patience is the key, slow and steady wins the race... The dripper is a good idea.
 
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