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Watering question...
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Posted: Nov/30/2006 12:13 PM PST
How frequently do you water your plants?? I either overwater or underwater and can't seem to find the happy medium.....are you on a watering schedule, or do you just water when it occurs to you or ????? Thanks! Jessie |
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Posted: Nov/30/2006 12:26 PM PST
It depends on what time of year it is and if the container is in or out and what kind of a container it is. I water containers constantly outside in the dead of summer but only a couple of times in the winter. The plants in the house I water constantly in the winter when the furnance is running. Clay pots dry out fast so you want to water them more than say plastic pots. Then there is the question of what is in it. The succulents don't take much water but ferns are always thirsty. |
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Posted: Nov/30/2006 12:30 PM PST
Seeing as you have this in containter gardening, I will take a stab that you are talking about, well container watering. Depending on the weather, either hot and dry, you would water everyday, enough so the water runs out the bottom. Cool and dry, every other day or when the top 2 inches are dry when you poke your finger in. Always water thouroughly. Plants that are in full sun most of the day will need to be watered more then plants in partial to full shade. |
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Posted: Nov/30/2006 12:42 PM PST
Hi jess and welcome to GG . You will find a lot of help here for a new gardener. The folks here are friendly and very helpful. I am assuming you are asking about watering house plants. Your house plants develop their own water needs schedule and all have different schedule. The best way to figure out what the plants water needs are is to stick your finger down in the soil about 1 inch, if your finger comes out dry then take the plant to the sink and give it a good amount of water, let it sit there for 10 minutes while the water runs out of the holes in the bottom of the pot and then turn the faucet on again and give the plant another good drink. If the plant is really dry --where you can see that the soil has pulled away from the sides of the pot then sit the pot in a large bowl and water like I said but let the plant sit in the bowl with the run off in it for 1/2 an hour so the soil can absorb the water . After doing the finger test a few times you will know what each plant needs . Some plants need to be watered every week some need water every 10 days and others can go 2 or 3 weeks . Most plants are killed to much love , make sure all your pots have good drainage holes and don't let the pots sit in water in the saucer for more then a half hour, or you will develop root rot, which will also kill a plant off. A week after you water like I said, start finger testing the soil again, to find out when it needs another good drink. Another thing to keep in mind , the thicker the leaf the less often it will need to be watered. At different seasons of the year the plants water needs will change. Good luck to you and I hope this helps a bit swindyi |
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Posted: Nov/30/2006 7:04 PM PST
Thanks all!! I am planning a container garden out on my back porch, which has good full sunlight for half the day, then indirect sunlight for the rest of the daylight hours....so all those tips will help alot... But how do I test to see if the seed starting plugs need watering when I start my seeds? I have a Park Seed Co. BioDome and the directions just say to keep 1/2 in of water in the base at all times and the seedlings will draw up the water as they need it...but I did that and they all died from overwatering, so....any tips on seed watering if the seeds are in a little greenhouse-type thing??? Thanks so much!!! Jessie |
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Posted: Dec/01/2006 4:04 PM PST
You want to keep the cells damp not wet. You also want to make sure you have the seed tray vented to prevent dampening off and mold. hope this hellps |
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Posted: Dec/01/2006 5:55 PM PST
jessc, i'm not famliar w/the BioDome but i have clear plastic covers i use on my trays until the seeds germinate. once i see sprouts emerging i remove the top. like Sassmuffin said, the moisture will build up and your seedlings will damp off or rot. |
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Posted: Dec/02/2006 2:36 PM PST
EXCELLENT INPUT GARDENERS!!!!!!!! Another thought on starting seed is the use of vermiculite. It will absorb the water and release it shower then just drying out like potting soil. Im guessing you are doing this indoors. Can you put newspaper under the cells? Or just take the top off when you see moisture building up on the top and sides of the cover and dont water till after you put the cover on again and wait .If no moisture you may be save to not water for a day or so ,that is if you do not have dry air from your heating system in your home. Once the seed germinate take the cover off and water using the "turkey baster", a small amount at a time. What are you planning from seed? Seedling tend to germinate at various rates. Are they all the same variety/seed? Container Gardening is a watering chore, if you don't have time to water just about everyday a watering system may be extremely useful. Tip. Just because the water is coming out of the bottom of the container (OUTSIDE) does not mean you have watered well, on the contrary, it may be very dry and just finding its way out instead of absorbing through the dirt. Checking the soil as stated above, or using a water meter(under10$$) will assist in watering with better results. Plants are like puppies  some drink way more then others,*lol ( I just had to put that in there cause I just love puppies*lol) there are so many factors that come together for success in seedlings and container gardening but once you click in you are scott free and asking different questions  Every day a new learning experience!You'll get it We are here for you!I use moist vermiculite/styrofoam (from store bought meats), vermiculite and use plastic to cover and dont seal the tops. Transplant after germination occurs,into 4pacs usually. I also use small rotating mini fans for air circulation. Kale
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Posted: Aug/07/2008 12:35 PM PST
I'm trying this thing my wife found on Amazon called a plant koozie. All it is is a foam insert you stick in the pot and bury. I was skeptical, figured she blown 16 bucks for 3 of them, plus shipping. But the plants in the three pots I put them in really require less watering, even in this 100+ weather we have been having. Has anyone else tried these? |
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Posted: Aug/07/2008 3:48 PM PST
I have never heard of those farmer! How exactly do they work? |
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