How Much Water Should I Use for Bottom Watering My Plants?
Asked by SunnyDaze42
I've been bottom watering my plants mainly because I prefer it, but I use a chunky mix in my pots that doesn't absorb the water as well as regular soil. I usually end up putting a couple inches of water in the container, sometimes even halfway up the pot. I'm wondering if anyone else has this issue? How long do you usually leave your plants in the water to soak up the moisture?
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I'm a bit impatient, so I fill the container as high as it can go for faster saturation. Small pots usually take about 30 minutes, but larger ones can take longer. I wouldn't leave a small pot overnight, but if it's a large pot and not done soaking by bedtime, I'll leave it until morning as long as I set it out to drain afterwards. It seems to work well for me!
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I don't think the depth of the water really matters too much. I just pour some into a tub and set my pots in there. Sometimes it's just an inch deep, other times up to 4 inches. I leave them until the topsoil feels damp, and sometimes I even forget and let them sit overnight. It’s not an exact process, honestly.
SoilSage99: So, leaving them in the water for longer periods isn't harmful? I'm a bit concerned about the roots being submerged for too long and rotting.
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I fill the water as high as my bin can safely hold. I usually leave it soaking for at least half an hour, sometimes a couple hours. It seems to soak it up well during that time.
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GreenThumbsUp: Good to know! Sounds like filling them up like that won’t cause any issues!