Bottom watering prevents accidental leaf splashes or water retention. Some plants won't respond well to this method if they have sensitive roots and can't tolerate higher levels of salt and mineral buildup. This is the main issue with bottom watering, as the soil doesn't have a way to dispose of these materials.
Can you over water by bottom watering? Yes, if the plant is sitting in water too long, you can still overwater your plant through bottom watering. However, bottom watering is a more controlled method of watering your plants.
Generally speaking, it makes no real difference whether you top water or bottom water your plants. All houseplants really want from you is sufficient water around their roots. As well as a small reserve of water to be "held" in the surrounding growing medium, that they can access in the coming days or weeks.
Bottom watering is generally beneficial for a wide range of plants, but it's important to consider the specific needs of your plant. Some plants, like succulents, may be more susceptible to root rot if overwatered from the bottom.
That's not the case when bottom watering. All you need to do is set the potted plant (be sure it has drainage holes) into the bathtub, sink, or another container that's filled with a couple inches of water. After 15 to 20 minutes, the plant will have absorbed the exact amount it needs—never too little or too much.
How to Use Pots with No Drainage Holes. Some experts suggest using a layer of pebbles as a sort of drainage layer in those pots without drainage holes. This technique allows excess water to flow into the space with the pebbles, away from the soil and, therefore, the roots of your plant.
Just a couple of inches at most. I also use one other piece of equipment when bottom watering: a plant tray with no holes. You can use them to soak the plants as well as to drain the pots once they come out of the water. If you're watering in a bathtub or sink that has a plug you can pull it to drain the water away.
He recommends: 'Using a mixture of bottom watering for every day with top watering to wash away the build-up of salts and minerals will keep your plants healthy, strong and well-watered. ' The build-up of salts should be dealt with every couple of months by watering from above.
Rocks in the bottom of containers do not contribute to better draining soils and healthier plants. Instead plant roots encounter saturated soils that don't drain efficiently. It all has to do with something called a perched water table.
Place the container in the water and let it sit for about 15 minutes so that the soil can soak up all the moisture it needs. Larger containers need to sit for a bit longer, and smaller containers for bit less time. Keep an eye on things. If the soil soaks up all of it during those 15 minutes, add more.
“Bottom-watering” is when you put your parched plant in a bucket of water and let it soak up what it needs through the drainage hole. (It's very fun. “Like a magic trick,” said Adams.) This keeps the top of your soil dry and therefore gnat-egg-proof.
When bottom watering potted plants, the key is in the timing. Push your finger into the soil between the wall of the container and the stem of the plant. If you push down to the second knuckle and still don't feel moist soil, it's time to water the plant.
The most common mistake that well-meaning plant parents make is overwatering, which can cause root rot that will ultimately kill your plant. Root rot comes from a pathogen that thrives in a consistently moist environment; if soil is left soggy for too long, the once-dormant pathogen activates and attacks the roots.
Your plant is drowning in water love. This is the #1 reason indoor plants die. Wet soil will confirm that you've been overwatering. If a plant is overwatered, the roots will rot and “watering it regularly” only makes things worse.
Drip irrigation is the most water-efficient way to irrigate many different plantings. It is an ideal way to water in clay soils because the water is applied slowly, allowing the soil to absorb the water and avoid runoff. Drip devices use a fraction of the water that overhead spray devices use.
Collected rain is usually naturally slightly acidic, so it can help flush away the build up of accumulated substances from alkali tap water deposits in your potting soil. I just set a bucket out in my yard to collect rainwater, fresh from the sky. Fresh bucket-collected rainwater is tops in purity for plant watering.
Because overwatering and underwatering are equally tough on your plants, finding a good balance - the sweet spot where your plant is happiest - is essential. Let's take a look at how to diagnose whether your plant needs more or less water, and tips for finding that perfect balance.
Larger plants might need a few hours, whereas small plants in smaller pots will take considerably less time. Some people even bottom water their plants overnight. I prefer not to, because I like to check in on the moisture level and if the bowl needs to be refilled mid-way through.
Gravel or stones can also be at the bottom of a planter, but only to thinly cover and protect the drainage holes and not as a thick solid layer. A thick layer can reduce the space for plant roots and also potentially raise the water table in the pot, which can increase the saturation of the soil around plant roots.
Your local gardening store probably sells a lot of pots with one drainage hole. You might wonder if that is enough to keep your plant happy. Generally, a single drainage hole in the middle of the pot is fine.
Using Rocks For Drainage in Pots
Some suggest that you can place pebbles, rocks, empty plastic water or soft drink bottles, packing peanuts, cardboard (the list is endless) in the bottom of your plant pots, to allow the water to drain away from the soil and protect the roots from damage or root rot.
The best time to water is early in the morning when it's still cool, which preps the plants for a hot day, but that's not always easy to accomplish with a busy schedule. The second-best time is late in the afternoon or early evening.