New Grower Smart Pot conversation

[Fantasy Island]

I would like to get some input on using these smart pots.

I am using 3 gallon offical brand name Smart pots. Tonight i was doing there watering so i feed them till i got about 5% runoff. As i was holding up the pot to make sure it stopped dripping before i put her back i was only half paying attention and i almost dropped her out of my hand she was tipped over. Fortunately she did not fall however there was a small stream pouring out the side. So i mixed up my next batch for the next lady and did the exact same thing (this time on purpose). I watered her till about 5% runoff when she stopped leaking I picked her up and tilted her and got just s tad over 1/2 liter more out of her.

So my question is this.

1. Do you cut holes in the bottom?

2. Do you tilt it over until runoff stops?

3. Do you do nothing and just let it be?

4. Or are you like me and didn't even realize that even thought the bottom is a lot stiffer than the sides that there may be water pooled up at the bottom. Mind you i always check after an hour or so to make sure she is not sitting in water and they never have its alws been dry just some condensation under the pot on the plastic.

Thanks for looking. Your input is greatly appreciated.

 

[stepside]

If I water until runoff I always tilt my pots to drain especially plastic pots. Its like changing the water table on a piece of land. The low spot gets the water so if you make a low spot gravity does the rest.

 

[Rhyce Saroni]

I put mine on a wire plate rack slightly elevated and never have any problem if there's extra it'll drip out the bottom... eventually. I sop up or catch any drips with old towels that I wash and re-use. If the plant is tall, I'll push a towel up next to the bottom and let it soak up what's left. All depends...

 

[Rhyce Saroni]

I was thinking about this and also want to add that I think you might be pouring on your water directly from the pail. I use an agricultural sprayer for both water and food. It uniformly waters the soil and aerates it too. Mind you I never spray the leaves, just the soil...

The Chapin Stand and Spray is my favorite... It has units of measure on the side.

Best of luck my friend!

 

[late]

I used a smart pot for my last grow. Went back to reservoir pot for this one.
While there are times a Smart Pot will get faster growth, the reservoir is just so easy to live with.

Amazon product ASIN B0053NKP6I

 

[Fantasy Island]

Thanks rhyce that's a good idea. I'm going to give that a try.

 

[Rhyce Saroni]

Thanks rhyce that's a good idea. I'm going to give that a try.

While I've only been doing this for a few months... I swear by the fabric pot. Any fabric pot. Right now I'm trying some 2 gal ones from a nursery. They make sense to me given the fact that the roots are such lovers of oxygen... Like having no pot at all...

It's just a little tricky getting used to watering... I got used to them by moisturizing a bit, waiting, measuring moisture and then moisturizing again if necessary.

I hope you find using these pots as rewarding. Again best wishes for good luck, fun and primo baking material!!!

 

[WingsFan]

I water mine inside the grow tent. Each one sits on a cheap Home Depot planting saucer on which I zip tied a circular bbq grill on top of. Excess water drips through the bottom of the smart pot as it drains at it's own pace.

 

[Waximus]

+1 on the fabric pots I switched from airpots to Root Pouches several months ago, and I'm not going back any time soon! And, I'm growing in 1 gallon pouches these days, in coco/drip, and get 4 foot plants, regularly
One tip on watering/feeding both fabric and airpots- Use a wetting agent in your liquid. A drip or two of unscented (Ivory, in the US) dish soap, or AN Wet Betty (worth it, just for the label... lololol) or any other good wetting product. It'll break the surface tension of the liquid, and allow it to saturate your medium evenly. I've been on an AN nute kick for a few runs, and it has Wet Betty in the base nutes. It's amazing what a drop of a wetting agent can do for your watering

 

[Fantasy Island]

+1 on the fabric pots I switched from airpots to Root Pouches several months ago, and I'm not going back any time soon! And, I'm growing in 1 gallon pouches these days, in coco/drip, and get 4 foot plants, regularly
One tip on watering/feeding both fabric and airpots- Use a wetting agent in your liquid. A drip or two of unscented (Ivory, in the US) dish soap, or AN Wet Betty (worth it, just for the label... lololol) or any other good wetting product. It'll break the surface tension of the liquid, and allow it to saturate your medium evenly. I've been on an AN nute kick for a few runs, and it has Wet Betty in the base nutes. It's amazing what a drop of a wetting agent can do for your watering

Hope your happy Wax. You just forced me to spend more money.

Never heard of this But i do know the importance of breaking the surface tension.

So thanks for the wisdom. And for the label LOL!

How do you water Waximus? ( I just realized you are a dripper But your opinion would be appreciated if you have one.)I was adding the Chapin sprayer to my order and would like some more input.