Indoor Bottom Watering

[redevil]

Thinking about DWC and autopots plants seem very happy to feed bottom up via tap roots, it seems that many pooh pooh ( pun intended) the idea of bottom feeding normally potted plants. But here are my thoughts, enlighten me with yours

I will probably go autopot next grow as i like the idea of the plants themselves deciding when and how much water they need, top feeding for me is a bit of a guessing game. Since roots thrive when submersed in oxygenated water why not bottom feed normal plants.

My idea is that i fill the pot saucer with water and let it sit for a while, any not taken up after a certain time i discard so as not to have a stagnant pool of water, this was i would be giving the roots and soil just what they need, after a while i should get the feel of how much to give them. Of course this would assume that we have a full root system down to the bottom of the pot ( though soil osmosis would draw water up in the early stages)

If i did this i would have thought i would avoid any under/ overwatering issues

Your thoughts ?

 

[Peter Wiggins]

i do like bottom feeding. i was running autopots on my last grow that i had to pack up. another huge benefit is that the soil on top begins to harden and form a crust. this can act as a natural barrier to pests and pestilence.

 

[redevil]

what was your issue with autopots ?

 

[dubby]

so but just soil with holes in the bottom of pot and catcher its better to water from top? or still from bottom say when u start feeding it veg nuets

 

[mclovin478910]

Im using something similar right now, self watering pots is what is on the sides. a quarter inch below the surface has been perfectly moist soil. These are photoperiods mind you but all 8 of my ladies in the 5+gal self watering pots are the largest and biggest ive ever grown. The roots of all of these have already pushed through the bottom of the pots and are starting to tangle, we'll see how they do over the next 8-10 weeks hope these pots can handle them.

We have been able to top feed extremely heavy and only keep minimal fresh water in the res to keep soil clean and moist, our thinking is it has been rinsing the nutrients from the root system and keeping everything in check. Would love to see some others try this, I think it would be a great addition for someone who cant check their garden daily.

 

[Muddy]

The biggest drawback to bottom watering is potential salt buildup in the soil. Salts are a bi product of nutrients being broken down. When top watered and given about 10% run off the excess leaches out the salts. If salts build up in the soil they can cause a nutrient lock out situation.

 

[dubby]

Thanks muddy