Bottom Watering...

[speedwell68]

Is this possible? If I poured water directly into the drip tray under the pot, would the medium draw up the water?

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Is this possible? If I poured water directly into the drip tray under the pot, would the medium draw up the water?

Yes. Bottom feeding is a thing actually.

 

[speedwell68]

Yes. Bottom feeding is a thing actually.

Thanks. I Googled it saw that lots of other plants are watered like this and wondered if it worked for weed.

I dawned on me that pests like Fungus Gnat Larvae live in the surface of overly moist soil, so if I could keep the bottom wet and the top relatively dry it might help control them.

 

[mudballs]

Thanks. I Googled it saw that lots of other plants are watered like this and wondered if it worked for weed.

I dawned on me that pests like Fungus Gnat Larvae live in the surface of overly moist soil, so if I could keep the bottom wet and the top relatively dry it might help control them.

we got a thinker here

 

[ComputerSaysNo]

Bottom watering is done by commercial growers at large scale, with capillary mats and ebb/flow systems. Wick systems of any kind are bottom feeding, AutoPots, OctoPots, etc...

 

[Nutty sKunK]

Is this possible? If I poured water directly into the drip tray under the pot, would the medium draw up the water?

Would have to make sure it’s the correct amount of water otherwise it’ll be too moist. Only issue it can foresee

 

[jondamon]

Thanks. I Googled it saw that lots of other plants are watered like this and wondered if it worked for weed.

I dawned on me that pests like Fungus Gnat Larvae live in the surface of overly moist soil, so if I could keep the bottom wet and the top relatively dry it might help control them.

They also enter into the drainage holes in the bottom of the pots. Just an FYI.

 

[mudballs]

Would have to make sure it’s the correct amount of water otherwise it’ll be too moist. Only issue it can foresee

This is partially correct yes, we dont leave the water in the tray that would fk up the plants if left in a pool of water too long. It doesnt need to be the correct amount per se, you put however much you want in the tray and let the plant and soil suck up the amount it wants or needs. Then come back and take plant out or remove the water/nutes. The only real downside is if you forget it and leave it overnight.

 

[OldMedUser]

Thanks. I Googled it saw that lots of other plants are watered like this and wondered if it worked for weed.

I dawned on me that pests like Fungus Gnat Larvae live in the surface of overly moist soil, so if I could keep the bottom wet and the top relatively dry it might help control them.

Score some Gnatrol and get rid of fungus gnats in one dose. They also come as stowaways in bags of soil/soilless mixes so keep those far away from the grow. If they keep coming back every time you use some soil to repot or start new plants then that's your source.

 

[OldMedUser]

The only real downside is if you forget it and leave it overnight.

That's not a big deal. It's when they are sitting in their runoff all the time that problems develop.

 

[speedwell68]

They also enter into the drainage holes in the bottom of the pots. Just an FYI.

The wee bastards. I have the little fuckers under control. I am having a toss up between Diatomaceous Earth and Nematodes to eradicate them completely, most likely the former.

I have got rid of them before by letting the pots dry right out, but that comes with the risk of having them wilt because I haven't got to them in time.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

The wee bastards. I have the little fuckers under control. I am having a toss up between Diatomaceous Earth and Nematodes to eradicate them completely, most likely the former.

I have got rid of them before by letting the pots dry right out, but that comes with the risk of having them wilt because I haven't got to them in time.

Nematodes!

I got rid of all my gnats with just EWC. But there were toads in it too.

 

[speedwell68]

Score some Gnatrol and get rid of fungus gnats in one dose. They also come as stowaways in bags of soil/soilless mixes so keep those far away from the grow. If they keep coming back every time you use some soil to repot or start new plants then that's your source.

I am in the UK and I can't seem to be able to find it anywhere. The only place I can get it is from the USA on eBay, which makes it very expensive.

 

[OldMedUser]

I am in the UK and I can't seem to be able to find it anywhere. The only place I can get it is from the USA on eBay, which makes it very expensive.

Can you get mosquito dunks there? Same kind of bacteria in those. Bust one up and use about a tsp/4L and that's supposed to work well. I get my Gnatrol at the hydro store in the city in small packs for around $7Can. Maybe check to see if you can find some in a hydro store closest to you.

 

[speedwell68]

Can you get mosquito dunks there? Same kind of bacteria in those. Bust one up and use about a tsp/4L and that's supposed to work well. I get my Gnatrol at the hydro store in the city in small packs for around $7Can. Maybe check to see if you can find some in a hydro store closest to you.

Would that be this kind of thing?....

Fungas Gnat Control Hypoaspis

Fungas Gnat/Sciarid Fly control for up to 10m2 or 30 plants.

www.hydrodaze.co.uk

 

[jondamon]

There used to be one called GNATOFF or GOGNATS for the U.K.

@OldMedUser we can’t get mosquito dunks here.

 

[jondamon]

Would that be this kind of thing?....

Fungas Gnat Control Hypoaspis

Fungas Gnat/Sciarid Fly control for up to 10m2 or 30 plants.

www.hydrodaze.co.uk

Nope they are live predators.

 

[OldMedUser]

Would that be this kind of thing?....

Fungas Gnat Control Hypoaspis

Fungas Gnat/Sciarid Fly control for up to 10m2 or 30 plants.

www.hydrodaze.co.uk

Answered above.

 

[Lordhooha]

Is this possible? If I poured water directly into the drip tray under the pot, would the medium draw up the water?

That's the only way I feed

 

[Snoopy808]

I am in the UK and I can't seem to be able to find it anywhere. The only place I can get it is from the USA on eBay, which makes it very expensive.

Find a product with the bacillus thurigensis Israelensis, BTI. Theres many other than gnatrol.