Seedlings are fluffy..??

[rustylady]

Silly question but will this still work if roots aren't showing through the bottom of the pots? And can it be done before germination, that is before the seedlings appear? I wasn't sure whether and how often I need to water while still in the propagator. Does it help to avoid over watering? Finally, the saucer idea looks like a good way of helping to keep my tomato plants hydrated in the summer (they will be in pots), especially if I miss a day's watering. But I know I am meant to cover the drainage holes with broken crocks - do the roots still drink up the water then?

Silly question but will this still work if roots aren't showing through the bottom of the pots? And can it be done before germination, that is before the seedlings appear?

Yes it will - it's the compost that draws up the water.

But I know I am meant to cover the drainage holes with broken crocks - do the roots still drink up the water then?

I don't use crocks in my pots, just fill with multipurpose compost.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Rustylady.

Can I ask why you don't use broken crocks? Every book I've read says to use them to help drainage.

[rustylady]

I don't find I need them. I think this is a somewhat old-fashioned idea from the days when pots were filled with garden soil. The crocks helped to stop the soil washing down and blocking the drainage holes.

Multipurpose compost is much freer draining than soil.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Rustylady. So if I'm using a soil based compost I will need to use crocks, otherwise I won't bother? That's really helpful, wish I'd known it last year!

[IndigoElectron]

And to clarify, I can sit my tomato pots on a saucer, to help them retain water?

[Lost_the_plot]

Update from yesterday... Those 'mouldy' looking seeds are now looking like this. Think they'll be fine...


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