Watering advice needed

[Absolute Chaos]

This could be a stupid question but...

I have about 50 seedlings that have all been potted on to terracotta pots with saucers. If I only put water into the saucer, how does it get to the plant when the roots are several inches above the bottom of the pot? Some of the plants absorb the water straight away whilst parsley & basil can sit in theirs for a few hours. However, because I can't logically see how the roots can summon the water through the soil, I've been adding some water to the surface of the compost too.

Can anyone explain the science behind the art of watering?

Thanks
Mark

[zazen999]

Capillary action

Wiki says:

Capillary action - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Absolute Chaos]

Thanks!

So, clearly it doesn't matter that the water hangs around longer in some pots because it only takes what it needs? The whole Mother Nature thing has elements of genius about it!! I'll stop putting sneaky glugs on the top of the soil now...

[rana]

Watering from the bottom should make for good roots as they grow downwards towards the moisture.

[harrybrew69]

every day's a school day

[Iamhanuman]

does this just apply for when plants are potted on
or would it apply at the weeny seedling stage too?

[zazen999]

What, watering like this or capillary action?

[Snadger]

And just to muddy the waters a bit more here's another thing to factor into the equation....osmosis!

Osmosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Snadger]

And Moon gardening can have an effect on water uptake and availability?

[FionaH]

Snadger behave yourself!

[snohare]

Don't forget that the hyroponics guy posted on his blog about how some plants like their liquid nutrients to ebb and flow !
My understanding is that some plants like the soil to dry out almost entirely between waterings, whereas others need more moisture so need either more spongy soil or more frequent watering. Soils that are quicker draining, I usually add a little water at the top as well as the bottom, then the water and/or nutrients from below percolate in faster.

[Rocketron]

I've never been too bothered about top or bottom watering. As far as I'm aware, rain only falls.

[snohare]

As far as I'm aware, rain only falls

Aye, the point about rain though is that it is a very effective means of exposing a plant to fungal diseases, and that is one reason why in Nature plant seedlings have a very low survival rate. Personally, I prefer to be really unnatural on this...

[Iamhanuman]

What, watering like this or capillary action?

i was kind of thinking watering like this
i usually water teeny weenies just sown and seedlings from the top gently where there will be no damage, but perhaps the 'bottom' approach might be better??

[Two_Sheds]

perhaps the 'bottom' approach might be better??

yes, it would.
It will also reduce the number of fungus gnats you get, and the risk of damping off disease, and the risk of over-watering your seedlings.