Watering

[Spunky]

Happy christmas all :-) I'm trying to get my head around watering from underneath, I'm about to repot some seedlings tomorrow into a 3 inch pot so ive put a couple of inches of water in a tray and placed the pots contentaining multi purpose soil and vermiculite in the water but it only seems to soak up to the level of the pot in the water? Is this normal I've seen vids on youtube and theres water on the surface to touch I'm not sure if I'm doing it right or wrong to be honest lol any advice would be great thanks

[chris]

It depends on how dry, and what medium is in the pots.. I tend to leave mine for a few mins- the pot feels heavy then, so the next lot go in..

Two sheds has made a video about it, two secs...

[chris]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...deo_57098.html

[Two_Sheds]

Why are you watering in December ? !!


... and you shouldn't be watering until the surface is wet anyway, (imo)

[chris]

Erm, and that ^ hehe

[Potstubsdustbins]

As the others have said the idea of watering from the bottom is to prevent the surface getting wet and to encourage root growth.

If your using MPC and the surface gets a regular wetting you will almost certainly end up with a white mould on the surface of your pots. Been there and done that.

Colin

[Spunky]

Thanks I left them a little longer and the level raised a bit just seemed a bit weird it was bone dry soil I would've tHought it'd suck it up in no time, two sheds Im starting seeds off under artificial light and am practicing at the mo so I can see what happens ...thanks all

[rustylady]

Spunky, you say multi-purpose soil - do you mean multipurpose compost? Also you should never let MCP get bone dry - it makes it harder to water. What seeds have you started and where are you?

[Spunky]

Sorry rusty yes it was 2/3 multi purpose compost and a 1/3 vermiculite ive started scotch bonnets newmex orange cherry bomb, roma alicante sungold toms and I'll do a couple of cucumbers soon, I'm only experimenting I'm not starting them off to grow yet I'll end up throwing them I'm in yate on the outskirts of Bristol

[rustylady]

Why on earth are you germinating seeds if you don't intend to grow them on to maturity? If you add your location to your profile (Bristol will do) it will show on your posts and save us having to keep asking you.

[Spunky]

So I can practice is that alright

[rustylady]

So I can practice is that alright

Yes, that's fine to practice, but you may as well grow them on.

[Two_Sheds]

So I can practice is that alright

You've got the itchy fingers haven't you?

If you wait just a few weeks until the days start to lengthen some more, you can sow your chillies for real. Check out the early sowing thread

[Spunky]

Lol I never expected it to be as addictive as it is, off in a minute to drag the missus and kids round cadbury :-) thanks ts I'll have a look at that thread