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Also, how do you wet peat soil that is bone dry?

9 years ago

I have an African Voilet i got on clearance.
The outer leaves were drooping so i just cut them off.
When i took the plant out of the pot. it was bone dry and i was trying to water it but the water just ran right through.
when peat soil is bone dry, how do you get water to penetrate it?

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Comments (6)

ellenr22 - NJ - Zone 6b/7a
9 years ago
In this situation I would soak the pot with the plant into it, until the soil on top was moist.
but then I don't know about African Violets, so I'm sure someone with more expertise will reply.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
9 years ago
You can soak the planting, as mentioned.

You can spritz the surface of the soil generously at 10 minute intervals until the tendency toward hydrophobia is no longer a factor.

You can add a non phytotoxic surfactant to the water used for irrigation, which will make water wetter, .

You can mix a soil amendment into the soil that doesn't become hydrophobic when it gets dry (Turface or Calcined DE would work). These ingredients would become wet immediately when you water, even if the peat doesn't. Once wet, water will gradually diffuse into the dry peat, eliminating its tendency toward hydrophobia.

Al

This post was edited by tapla on Thu, Nov 27, 14 at 9:06
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dellis326 (Danny)
9 years ago
By surfactant I'm guessing that Al means adding a tiny bit of natural soap to the water. Al, if not, please suggest something else that would work better.

Make sure you use a real soap and not a detergent, detergent will kill your plants.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
9 years ago
I was thinking along the lines of nonionic surfactants or wetting agents formulated for the express purpose of reducing a soil's tendency toward hydrophobia.

Al
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years ago
Actually, a few drops of dish soap will do the job just fine, with no damage to the plant. Put the plant, container and all, into a bowl. Mix up a cup of warm water with just three or four drops of the soap. Pour very slowly over the soil, then allow it to sit in the water for several minutes.

You could use any kind of liquid soap or detergent other than those used for laundry or the dishwasher.

That should do the job for you, safely and pretty effectively. After the peat has been rehydrated, it will be your job to water thoroughly on watering days so that this doesn't happen again. No need to keep using soap.
MsGreenFinger GW
9 years ago
Once it gets wet, I'd repot it. Can't stand the peat, it dries out fast and a nightmare to water.

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