I'm curious about the best practices for bottom watering my tomato plants. I just repotted them yesterday and did a thorough bottom watering, but today the top of the soil feels dry. How much water should I leave in the tray, and is it okay to have some standing water there, or could that harm the roots?
2 Answers
It typically takes a bit of time for the water to soak through to the soil, so don't worry if the top feels dry right away. I usually let my pots sit in the tray for about an hour. You'll notice the pots feel heavier afterwards, which means the plants have absorbed some water from below.
Some folks question the purpose of bottom watering, but it's really beneficial if you're trying to get the roots to grow deeper. This method encourages them to search for moisture, which helps strengthen the plants overall. Plus, it can help prevent problems like damping off. Just keep in mind that it's not the only way; many gardeners use top watering successfully too.