New Grower Fabric Pot Nightmares !!

[Son of Hobbes]

You're watering too quickly if they are pouring out the sides. I've been using fabric pots for years now (with coco) and I know exactly what you're talking about, and I can just about assure you it's impatience that's causing your issue lol. I find over time that there's a small ringed divet that forms on the top where I'm always watering, you could always push some of your soil up to the sides of the pot, so that the water runs inward towards the middle and not the outside. Start with your first pot and give it a smaller amount than normal, make your rounds on your plants, and by the time you get back to the first you should be able to gauge how much more it needs. Are you picking up your pots to feel how heavy they are after being dry versus having a bit of water?

 

[AutoFox]

I have a love hate relationship with fabric pots I'm using 3gl pots now and I always had spillage out the top when watering. I believe Son of Hobbes is rt about slowing down. And I've tried clear plastic wrap and wrapped the pot just around the sides it worked out well. I'm still not the biggest fan of them but my plants are so they get what they want.

 

[MosseyMac]

They're great in a nice environment, but if you have to get in and out fast in a freezing loft , not so much.

 

[olderthandirt]

Slowing down is what works for me as well.
I've found that pouring the first lil' bit verrry slowly , then waiting 5 minutes or so and the remainder of water will go into the soil much faster.

Gonna give a plant 4L, the first liter applied slow. Still a little puddling but after a good 5 minutes the remaining 3L just sinks right on in.
Also, I place that first slow application about an inch away from the sides. The rest no closer then about 2 inches from the side. No water comes out of the sides.

Why this approach works I dun know. I could make guesses but all the same, it does seem to work.

 

[Yeatster]

Slowing down is what works for me as well.
I've found that pouring the first lil' bit verrry slowly , then waiting 5 minutes or so and the remainder of water will go into the soil much faster.

Gonna give a plant 4L, the first liter applied slow. Still a little puddling but after a good 5 minutes the remaining 3L just sinks right on in.
Also, I place that first slow application about an inch away from the sides. The rest no closer then about 2 inches from the side. No water comes out of the sides.

Why this approach works I dun know. I could make guesses but all the same, it does seem to work.

I do the same except, I start at the base, 1qt. Wait 5-10 min. Water outside. Back to base. The only time I see water out the sides is when I rush it.

 

[jingo]

It may be cocoa Growers that really love those fabric pots. Here's my setup.

 

[AutoWonders]

I originally started with plastic bags and the such and eventually changed to smart pots. I don't have the problems that I am seeing posted here. Guess I am lucky.

 

[Nabzter]

I think there are a few people missing the point here. The whole issue is having to water slowly is not ideal when doing multiple plants. I accept watering slowly is the only solution I have come up with this far and is what I meant when I said watering in dribs and drabs (small amounts at a time). my question was has anybody come up with a solution for watering in fabric pots so they can water as normal?

Also spillage isn't always just from the top it can be from the side halfway down the pot.

 

[AutoFox]

I think there are a few people missing the point here. The whole issue is having to water slowly is not ideal when doing multiple plants. I accept watering slowly is the only solution I have come up with this far and is what I meant when I said watering in dribs and drabs (small amounts at a time). my question was has anybody come up with a solution for watering in fabric pots so they can water as normal?

Plastic wrap the stuff people wrap food up with is what I've started doing so you can poor it on fast and heavy it only comes out the bottom portion of the pot I'll take some pictures when I can to show you what I mean.

 

[Son of Hobbes]

I think there are a few people missing the point here. The whole issue is having to water slowly is not ideal when doing multiple plants. I accept watering slowly is the only solution I have come up with this far and is what I meant when I said watering in dribs and drabs (small amounts at a time). my question was has anybody come up with a solution for watering in fabric pots so they can water as normal?

We're not missing the point Nabzter, this is the nature of the pot and the material used for it. It's literally breathable fabric from top to bottom. Water slowly on the very side of the pot and you're going to see water dribble. Water slowly in the middle, and it's less likely to come out the side. Water fast anywhere in the pot and you're likely going to see it overflow. @olderthandirt nailed it with the small amount to start, that gives the water a path/channel to follow when you do the next round. Ever water really, really dry soil before? Goes EVERYWHERE on the top, because there's nothing absorbed in yet. Water a bit in the middle though, let it soak for a minute, and problem solved.

I grow with multiple pots (3 and 5 gallon) in fabric pots and simply don't have that issue. I'm not trying to be pointed here, I just think you're rushing based on how you've described your method.