Watering seedlings from the top and from the bottom
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
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- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
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How does one water plants from the bottom?
Comments (4)I agree with the above post for the most part. I do the same method, and I pour in about 1 /2 inch of water and let the seedlings suck up the water for 5-10 minutes. I just wait until the top glistens and then I pull it out and pour the excess water out of the �watering� container. Only water your seedlings when they are 75% dry. The seedlings will feel very light and you can poke your finger into the soil to check if it is moist. Moist soil sticks to your finger. When in doubt, it is not dry enough. The main thing is not to let your seedlings sit in water for hours or over night. How often will depend on the above factors. Seedlings will tell you when to water. Some of mine are once a week and some are daily when they get larger. Just remember to plant your seeds in moist soil to begin with, by mixing it in a bucket with water apposed to bottom watering. I hope that helps Keriann~ Have fun!!...See MoreWatering from Bottom
Comments (6)There have been two recent threads on this. One is linked. The key is to learn as quickly as possible how water behaves in your potting medium and to recognise when it is needed - and, even more important, when it is not needed. You can always refresh a seedling which lacks water but you can't wring it out when it's drowned. It is not possible to give rules. If watering is done properly you will not get damping off or moulds and there will be no need for prophylactic measures. I would not play around with any 'cures' until or unless a problem arises. You can fill the tray as deep as you like. The important part is tipping out excess water after you see the surface of the medium go damp. This could be 10 minutes or 2 hours, it depends on the conditions so, again, I can't give a rule. With experience you will find that you can judge the amount needed and there will be no need for tipping out. The medium will absorb all you give it. Regarding the lids, condensation doesn't necessarily mean there is enough moisture in the medium. It might just be coming from the surface if you have surface watered and the bottom may be dry. It is fine to give the trays some fresh air by lifting the lids every so often. Remove the lids when the seeds have germinated. (This is the recommendation - actually I don't but I know how the seedlings are doing so can judge it). Here is a link that might be useful: Previous thread....See Morewatering seeds/seedlings from below?
Comments (1)z, I don't believe there is any general rule for this sort of thing. You may ask this question in various forums where these types of concerns are common like the Container, Vegetable, Flower and anything grown from seed forums. The only thing I know about this sort of thing is one) the water behaves different in different types of soil Clayey versus Sandy) and 2)that watering from the bottom may dislodge the seed and may damage very tender roots from seedlings. I do use wicking from the bottom into containers via roping in tomatoe container gardening. GL Aloha...See Morewatering AV from bottom
Comments (5):::I have my AV in a self watering AV pot for sometime now. all the lower leaves are yellow. Any suggestions?:: Sure :) - Pull the root ball/plant up from the pot, remove those yellow leaves and any that need removing. - Get a pot that is 1/3 the width of the width of the plant that you have remaining AFTER you remove those rings of leaves. - get some soil that is 1 part peat moss, vermiculite, perlite and put the plant in the new pot and new soil. Should get some GREAT results. I'm not a fan of the self watering AV pots. They are a grand marketing concept and the pots are beautiful but they don't support a growing environment where AVs thrive (IMO). I have helped others transplant into plastic 3 inch pots that we sat down inside of the self watering inner bowl just for the visual. Good Luck, Dora...See MoreRelated Professionals
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