I am longing to hear what Retiredprof has to say, but, I won't ask :-) On a serious note, I do have some of those flower pouches and I still don't have the "hang" of them yet. And I bought one with loads of pansies in it for my MIL two years ago and it was crazy how root bound the whole thing got after a couple of months. It was turned into all roots and no soil! I tore it apart for her and replanted the pansies in her flower beds. Seems like once the pouch fills out and starts looking beautiful, it's about time to break it down. I'm not sure how to deal with them to keep the pretty all growing season. Linda

Thanks everyone!!! This is exactly what I wanted to see and hear. I've got WS containers that are thick with sprouts that I definitely want to plunk in so there's a huge, healthy display next year rather than puny "specimen" plantings here and there. I want masses of blooms rather than a flower here and another one over there. Last year (my first to WS) I planted a few things HOS/PAR. They're looking good so far this year and I should know later this season how they fare.

When ever I tell people I am into bamboo they usually say stuff like "I have some lucky bamboo and I love it" and all kinds of stuff like that. So far I haven't recieved any yet but I am sure some day someone will buy me one thinking "hey Nate will really enjoy this" We will have to see what I do if I get one. I am sure I will look at it an call it an imposter or wannabe. Anywho I guess all I can do is try to educate.

First of all, pictures are worth a 1000 words. Please post pics. Second, I think you probably have a moisture issue with the soil in particular. Fans and warmth/sun should help that out. I am not real familiar with your soil mix but that could be a problem. Plants love compost if it is properly composted. But compost that isn't broken down well enough or made up of the wrong materials is not good. If you have water in the pan or basin after watering, then that is likely the ultimate cause of the soil being so wet for so long. But I think you are on the right track in that the real problem might be the water left in the pans. Those 4" pots are wicking that water up constantly and the roots never have a chance to dry out and breath. Water the plants, then place them in a basis or open shelf that is dry, when they get dry, water them again. You can water bottom up or top down, that is not the issue. You can check the moisture content of the soil by poking a wooden stick, dowel, popsicle stick, etc into the soil. If it comes out clean, you likely need to water. If it has soil particles stuck to it, the soil has enough water. Oh, in case I forgot to tell you, pictures are not only important but very much appreciated on this forum. Bruce