I don't know WTF I'm doing here.....

[Tracker]

One of the pots may have gone hydrophobic. For the second or third day it's had runoff.


I didn't get any photos but it's maybe an ounce or two of runoff in the saucer. The first time it happened I thought it was just water seeping from the side of the fabric pot, but this water is brown and I usually don't notice it till I'm starting to water the next pot.

I add a couple drops of surfactant per gallon of water or nutrient mix. I've used dawn dish soap sparingly in a pinch.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

I used aloe vera leaves for that sole reason.

This is the last batch.
View attachment 5040689

The last batch was twice as much

Fabric pots bro. I stopped using them, cuz I couldn't get them to stay moist. Maybe split your waterings up to multiple times daily? I did that for a while and it seemed to help, but I didn't like cleaning them up afterwards anyways, so I just eliminated them.

 

[Marq1340]

I add a couple drops of surfactant per gallon of water or nutrient mix. I've used dawn dish soap sparingly in a pinch.

I've seen this product and never actually researched it's use, I also heard mixed opinions about dish soap in organic soils.

You guys think its for sure hydrophobic?

 

[Hollatchaboy]

I add a couple drops of surfactant per gallon of water or nutrient mix. I've used dawn dish soap sparingly in a pinch.

I use yucca extract. About a1/4 teaspoon to a gallon gets it pretty sudsy.

I've used dawn with neem and it breaks it up pretty damn good.

 

[Marq1340]

Fabric pots bro. I stopped using them, cuz I couldn't get them to stay moist. Maybe split your waterings up to multiple times daily? I did that for a while and it seemed to help, but I didn't like cleaning them up afterwards anyways, so I just eliminated them.

Yeah I think I've heard you mention that before. It's just weird because every other pot is fine.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

I've seen this product and never actually researched it's use, I also heard mixed opinions about dish soap in organic soils.

You guys thinks its for sure hydrophobic?

It's hard to say. Do you get water pooling at all, or does it go right thru with ease?

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Yeah I think I've heard you mention that before. It's just weird because every other pot is fine.

I dunno then bro. You'll know when you empty the pots. Lol

 

[Tracker]

I've seen this product and never actually researched it's use, I also heard mixed opinions about dish soap in organic soils.

You guys think its for sure hydrophobic?

If it's hydrophobic and you pour plain water on the soil surface, the water will pool up a little, and the edges of the water pool will look rounded like it's floating on top of the soil.

Use a surfactant to break the surface tension of the water, so it makes the water "stick" to otherwise hydrophobic things. The pool of water will not have rounded edges with a surfactant.

 

[Marq1340]

It's hard to say. Do you get water pooling at all, or does it go right thru with ease?

Honestly I can't say for sure, I have a few pots that pools up and I have to water superrr slow....and some that drain quickly. This specific pot is the only one that has runoff though.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Honestly I can't say for sure, I have few pots that pools up and I have to water superrr slow....and some that drain quickly. This specific pot is the only one that has runoff though.

Hmmm.... maybe a lil hydrophobic then. My water goes right into the soil.

You use mulch don't you? It should help keep the moisture in.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Honestly I can't say for sure, I have a few pots that pools up and I have to water superrr slow....and some that drain quickly. This specific pot is the only one that has runoff though.

Does it runoff from the sides or the bottom?

 

[Tracker]

 

[myke]

Anyone ever heard of SIPs,Something about never having problems with watering ,I don't know

 

[Marq1340]

Hmmm.... maybe a lil hydrophobic then. My water goes right into the soil.

You use mulch don't you? It should help keep the moisture in.

Out of the nine pots I water at least two need that super slow watering, one may just be too compact from the extra soil I top dress with soil tho.

I don't use mulch as I should.

I'll try and get footage tomorrow afternoon if I remember. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Anyone ever heard of SIPs,Something about never having problems with watering I dont know

Sips for the win!
I was gonna mention it, but I'm sure everybody is sick of me talking about them. Lol

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Out of the nine pots I water at least two need that super slow watering, one may just be too compact from the extra soil I top dress with soil tho.

I don't use mulch as I should.

I'll try and get footage tomorrow afternoon if I remember. Thanks for the help guys.

Top dress can make a difference too. Sometimes it cakes up and makes the water pool. Add ewc/perlite when that happens. It'll help soften it up. Worms also.

 

[Marq1340]

Not to hold you guys hostage any longer then I have already.

After watching the video I may have used the wrong word, I feel the soil isn't retaining the water. I don't believe that pot is one of the pots that I have to water slowly.

 

[Marq1340]

Top dress can make a difference too. Sometimes it cakes up and makes the water pool. Add ewc/perlite when that happens. It'll help soften it up. Worms also.

Yeah, that's usually the combination.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Not to hold you guys hostage any longer then I have already.

After watching the video I may have used the wrong word, I feel the soil isn't retaining the water. I don't believe that pot is one of the pots that I have to water slowly.

Yes that's a different issue altogether.

 

[Marq1340]

Yes that's a different issue altogether.

Watched the video and went "oh, shit."