How can I keep my tomatoes grown in 5 gallon jugs properly hydrated?
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You can try using a wetting agent mixed in with your potting soil or after you start filling up the buckets to plant you burry a plastic soda in the soil with the opening up top and small holes in the bottom. This way should they start to dry out simply add water and let the roots drink.Tip for watering tomatoes is stop watering once you see water dripping then you know the roots are nice and wet.
I have never heard of burying a water bottle only turning one upside down in the top of the pot filled with water to water a plant. Thanks
You can also add rocks to the bottom of the container, before adding the soil.
In case the holes are too small, and/or get clogged, the rocks will keep the water away from the roots if there's too much water.
I've heard that adding some small, broken up, styrofoam pieces mixed into your soil helps absorb extra water. When the soil gets dry, it will absorb the water from the styrofoam. Kinda like the little white styrofoam balls in some potting mixes. That's what they're there for.
Good luck . . .
I think there was a hometalk discussion a while back that used baby disposable diapers in the bottom of the bucket. The media in the diaper held the water and kept the roots damp
I put a new oil pan under the bucket and filled it with water. It keeps disease from happening I also added my fertilizer that way. I gave water 2 times a day. Also added a trellis to hang on. Don't let the leaves touch the soil , remove to prevent disease.
I turned my plant pot into a small wicking bed...they only take the water they need and any rain that comes it has an escape side hole so they will not drown ....done all my above ground beds like that too as I live in the forest and all the gum trees would come to steal my water....also no loss of water so get to save the water for fire fighting. Here in Australia we could be watering 3 times a day some days....this was every couple of days in the hot weather and they get all the water they want
when i put in a drip irrigation system, i was told to set the timer for 1 gallon/hr water to each tomato plant. it worked, best crop so far for my baggie garden.
the worlds largest on line retailer sells water absorbing crystals that can be added to potted plants and in ground gardens. a lot less work than tearing up diapers . i've used them before, they do work well.....just hydrate them before adding them to your potting mix-they expand a bit.
I cut up a sponge and put in the bottom of my hanging baskets IT WORKS...GOOD LUCK