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Old 07-16-2020, 06:10 AM   #11 (permalink)
cincinnana
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Smile Re: Soil drainage question

Quote:
Originally Posted by DingoBongo View Post
The drainage holes are pretty large, like half an inch, and there are quite a few. It's interesting that the soil absorbs the water quickly but it doesn't seem to move all the way through quickly. That said, it feels pretty dry in the bottom three days after watering now so I think we're ok.

When I repotted I would say they looked ok, not great. Pretty small. I think another problem is the sun shock they got at first, but I found a good location now where they get some morning sun but mostly in shade the rest of the day.
This is an observation which could help.
Many times water flows to the edge of the soil in the container and out of the holes on the bottom of the pot giving you the false impression you have watered the plant enough or the roots are so dense water does not reach the bottom roots and pools on top of the soilless mix.

I will put a large saucer under some of my water hungry plants to water upwards towards the roots thus keeping the container evenly moist.

Many commercial nurseries use capillary irrigation mats to water from the bottom which is a great way to water plants.


Here is a photo of where I think I have watered enough but as you can see the water has not fully saturated the soilless mix.


Double click on the photo to see more pics of roots and stuff which could help

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soilless mix

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