Watering cloth pots???

[THE BEAR]

Hey everyone, Im about to start my next grow and have decided to use cloth pots, but I have been reading that people find them hard to water,
Would it be OK to pour the right amount of water slowly around the plant and leave the runoff in the drainage tray then empty the tray after a certain time,
If so then how long do I leave the runoff in the tray, I'm using bio-bizz soil and nutrients which I believe is organic and therefor not have salty runoff,

If anyone with any experience with cloth pots could get in touch would be much appreciated, smoked too many bongs tonight and just over thinking everything.
TIA

 

[Trichome farmer]

Hey everyone, Im about to start my next grow and have decided to use cloth pots, but I have been reading that people find them hard to water,
Would it be OK to pour the right amount of water slowly around the plant and leave the runoff in the drainage tray then empty the tray after a certain time,
If so then how long do I leave the runoff in the tray, I'm using bio-bizz soil and nutrients which I believe is organic and therefor not have salty runoff,

If anyone with any experience with cloth pots could get in touch would be much appreciated, smoked too many bongs tonight and just over thinking everything.
TIA

the trick to them is to water slowly let the water soak into the medium i have 10L pots using coco i pour in 500ml per pot then come back in ten mins and do the same again if you try to pour too much in at one time it will just flow out the bottom an sides patience is key theres no way around it
also you shouldn't have much runoff if your using soil i would have thought

 

[THE BEAR]

the trick to them is to water slowly let the water soak into the medium i have 10L pots using coco i pour in 500ml per pot then come back in ten mins and do the same again if you try to pour too much in at one time it will just flow out the bottom an sides patience is key theres no way around it
also you shouldn't have much runoff if your using soil i would have thought

Thank you, I do water slow anyways so I should be OK, I normally would water until 15-20% runoff then dump the leftover and rinse tray, but because of the water coming out too fast I was wondering if it would be possible to let it wick back up any left over water.

 

[Couch_Lock]

I use plastic clothespins between the bottom of fabric pots and the 12 inch circular plastic trays, to let air in between. And I've never experienced mold in any soil. Countless photo grows, I think autos would be the same. I empty out any runoff water that hasn't dried out the next day.

Trichome is correct about not watering a ton at first, also. Put about half the water you intend to use for each plants watering in, then onto the next plant. By the time you water 4 to 6 plants once (a half days water), circle back and do each again with another half watering.

 

[THE BEAR]

I use plastic clothespins between the bottom of fabric pots and the 12 inch circular plastic trays, to let air in between. And I've never experienced mold in any soil. Countless photo grows, I think autos would be the same. I empty out any runoff water that hasn't dried out the next day.

Trichome is correct about not watering a ton at first, also. Put about half the water you intend to use for each plants watering in, then onto the next plant. By the time you water 4 to 6 plants once (a half days water), circle back and do each again with another half watering.

Thank you, I use these metal wire pot stand things that keep me off the tray about an inch and a half,
Thank you, I know what way I'm gonna approach the situation now, thanks you

 

[Arthur]

Smaller amounts and let soak in then more. In 5 gallon bags I water a quart at a time then another. In flower there taking 6 quarts every 3 days. If water is running out the sides of the bag halfway up, then add something like yucca powder to cut the surface tension & help with hydrophobic areas.

Dont let bags sit in the trays, they should be above them and reabsorption is not a good idea, what comes out (runoff) is waste. Allowing it to soak back up will cause issues down the road.

 

[Capt.Quirk]

I also water slowly, using 16oz. condiment squeeze bottles. I have a sheet of paper towel under my pot
and when the first drop of water hits it, that's my runoff. I couldn't imagine watering to 15-20% runoff
which in the case of this plant would be 12-16 oz. I've changed enough diapers in my lifetime. No more.

 

[THE BEAR]

Thanks everyone for your replys,
my plan is to use the sides of my garden trolleys to make a drainage platform were I can put (new) cat litter trays underneath that can be move easy,
Each mesh section will hold a pot, got 2 of these so just perfect for 6 plants,