Watering plants in terra cotta pots

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
plantkiller_sc Camden, SC(Zone 7b) Oct 11, 2009

Hello,

I've slowly been moving my succulents into terra cotta pots, for fear of overwatering. However, some of the succulent leaves slightly extend over the edges of the pot, making it difficult to water the plant. I water some of my other containers from the bottom only, can I do this with the terra cotta? Thanks in advance.

Post #7157347
Quote
tapla Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Oct 11, 2009

You CAN, but it's not a good way to water. The best way to water is in two steps and from the top.

1st step) Apply enough water to saturate the soil but so that no watewr escapes from the drain hole. It really doesn't matter if a little water trickles out of the drain. The object is to maximize the amount of water in the soil so accumulating salts can dissolve into the soil solution. Then, wait 10-15 minutes.

2nd step) After the wait, return and water copiously so that at least 10-15% of the total volume of water applied exits the drain hole. The second watering carries the dissolved salts out of the soil and reduces the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) (which are important considerations to growers who monitor these levels) in the soil solution.

Low levels of EC and TDS make it easier for plants to absorb water and the nutrients dissolved in water. The ideal situation is to have only enough of EACH nutrient in the soil to satisfy the plant's nutritional needs. Any more and the plant cannot absorb water and nutrients efficiently. Any less, and the plant experiences deficiency symptoms and growth stops.

If you cannot water as copiously as I described w/o risking root rot or impaired root function/metabolism, your soil is inappropriately slow and you should seriously consider changing it to something that ensures your plants at least have the possibility of growing at close to their genetic potential. Slow soils cannot provide this ensurance; in fact, they guarantee that plants cannot grow to their potential and increase both your level of effort and frustration in trying to get them to grow as well as they COULD grow.

I have several succulents larger than the top opening of the container and with leaves that entirely cover the soil. I solved the watering problem by fitting a 2L plastic watering can with a homemade spout made from an unused nozzle from a tube of caulking. It fits very snugly over the spout & allows me thread the nozzle between even the thick, waxy leaves of Echeveria in a very fine stream and deliver it wherever I aim it with pinpoint accuracy.

Al

Post #7157696
Quote
dipsydoodle Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom Oct 13, 2009

I agree with tapla; you could always use a funnel or something to direct the flow of water away from the leaves.

Post #7163952
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP