Best methods for watering

[ItsEssexRob]

I noticed a lot of people in here reccommending watering from unerneath as the best method. What do you do if you use grow bags/troughs? can underneath watering only really be achieved in pots? I have 10 sweet pepper plants in big pots and have been watering them over the foilage. same with the troughs and grow bags.

Also if the top of the soil is damp do I not need to water it? I didnt water some at all yesterday despite the constant sun as by the evening the soil on top was still damp from the day before.

Thanks

[rustylady]

Main thing with watering is to do it only when the plants need it. If you have large pots give them a good watering so the water drains right through the compost (DO NOT SPRAY WATER ON THE FOLIAGE). I use a watering can either with a fine rose or spout and make sure I water the compost, not the leaves. I presume you do have drainage holes in your pots and troughs.

[Bigmallly]

Like rusty says, keep the water off the foliage, some folks bury empty plant pots and water into them or cut a drinks bottle in half and bury them a couple of inches deep & pour water into them. At the end of the day its the roots that need the water not the surface.

[Chef_uk]

I brought two trays that are about 2" deep that my grow bags sit in (upright, one plant per half bag, 3 bags per tray) for this year. I'm then filling it up to the brim which then gets soaked up every 72 hours or so by the growbags. Seems to be working fine so far with the tomato plants taking more water than the pepper plants (currently twice as quickly) which i think is about the right ratio.

[Two_Sheds]

I have 10 sweet pepper plants in big pots

Put plant saucers (or old dinner plates) underneath them, water into the saucers

[Pa Snips]

Mine get a good, thorough soaking to ensure the compost is wetted through. I do try to avoid getting the leaves wet but it's not always possible for me and no harm has been done, however, this is done in the evening after the sun's rays have greatly reduced in intensity. Any that gets on the leaves always evaporates before the sun comes up again.

[Allotment26]

Saw a tip in a magazine a while ago (from Bob Flowerdew naturally..) that plants in pots could be submerged in a bucket of water (the pot - not the plant!) and held under until the bubbles of air stop rising. This ensures that all of the compost is fully wetted, water does not get onto the leaves too much and is brilliant for saving water and trips to the tap/waterbutt if you have a hosepipe ban (as I do).

This has been really successful for me and I watered 12 tomato plants, 4 aubergines and 8 sweet peppers today from one bucket of water. These are all a decent size in 7in pots awaiting planting out. Previously this would have been 3 or 4 trips to the waterbutt and much water missing the pot altogether. Also means I need to water less often.

[ItsEssexRob]

I have usually ended up getting the eleaves wet too, is there a reason this should not be done then? I will avoid it in future. All my plants are in a greenhouse now does it harm them to get wet foilage?

[Bigmallly]

It's not so much a problem in the evening as it is in the midday sun, the droplets of water will act as magnifying glasses and scorch the leaves.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Actually 2Sheds pointed out some research a couple of weeks ago that seems to refute the suggestion that sun low in the sky is less damaging. In fact it seems it could be worse, something to do with the refractive angle of the rays.

Would suggest that it would be better to wait until sun down which is not a hardship at this time of year.

Colin

[Bigmallly]

Actually 2Sheds pointed out some research a couple of weeks ago that seems to refute the suggestion that sun low in the sky is less damaging. In fact it seems it could be worse, something to do with the refractive angle of the rays.

Would suggest that it would be better to wait until sun down which is not a hardship at this time of year.

Colin

I would imagine any sunlight could be potentially damaging.

[donnakebab]

What about misting then? The forum growing tips for sweet peppers recommends misting them for humidity.

[Two_Sheds]

this [watering] is done in the evening ...Any that gets on the leaves always evaporates before the sun comes up again.

does it harm them to get wet foilage?

Yes, it can, especially in cool temps (evenings). Botrytis

Moisture also makes ideal conditions for slugs & snails (which tend to come out after dark).

[ItsEssexRob]

I went out into my greenhouse today I noticed that all my pots/troughs are still damp after 2 days. Is this normal? Or have I not drilled enough drainage holes into my pots? I screwdrivered between 4-6 small holes into each trough/pot before I put soil in it. Two tomatoes I just planted into grow bags came out of pots that were totally sloppy and squidgy, im sure thats not great growing conditions?

Could this be why my peppers arent growing as much anymore? should I drill more holes? or is 4-6 5mm holes enough?

Are there any dangers with a hot humid greenhouse and damp soil?

[alldigging]

Probably not enough drainage holes

You can get pots sticking to the trays and this stops the water coming out ...