Yes. If you can see clear delineation in the amount of water visible in the soil, it is evidence of water perching in the soil that will not drain. This creates the ideal anaerobic conditions that promote root rot. With seeds & that much soil, you probably only need to water every 2-3 weeks - not daily. You need to tilt the container at a 45* angle & push a wick through the lowest hole & drain all the excess water - then lighten up on the watering. Your soil should be lightly damp/moist, not saturated. Plants absorb water molecule by molecule - they don't slurp it up in giant gulps. ;o)

Al

Explain wick for me please. I want to get all of that water out! ASAP!

I thought I should water them quiet a bit because sunflowers soak up a lot of water while they're little and everyone said to water daily, but that is having one outside, not inside.

And I only watered them a little at a time, so I thought a little continuous flow would be good.

Any ideas why it's not draining correctly?

I think you will have a more thorough understanding of how water behaves in container soils, and why I offered the advice I did if you read the post @ the link below.

A good wick can be made from an absorbent shoelace (not cotton) or even better - a single strand from a 100% rayon mop head. They're flat (1/16") & about 5/8-3/4" wide.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: explanation(s) here

Thank you. That was a very good read.

Still some questions though if you don't mind.

BTW: Look at my link at the bottom. It's a link to my blog. On the latest post you'll see the progress of each flower. Tell me what you think. I'm colorblind so I think telling when to water will be difficult =[

For the wick. I plan on finding something around here to raise the tub a few more inches off the plastic lid. So I can see better underneath. I think I might have some shoelaces around but I'm unsure whether they're cotton or not. There's also a bunch of holes in the container. Should I use a bunch of wicks?

How far in should I push the wicks if the water areas are about five inches tall?

And, we have a mop but I'm also unsure if it's what you explained. It's a bunch of circular strands.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Site

Maybe I am worrying too much?

I was just thinking, I haven't even used a full water bottles' worth of water on them yet. Whenever I water them the top of the soil is almost dry. And I water through a screwdriver sized hole, there's no way that there's a TON of water in there is there?

Look at this picture of what I'm talking about.

It's not like a water level, I'm thinking it's condensation.

The moist soil makes the sides of the container gather a little bit of water. I stuck my fingers in the holes at the bottom and there's barely any moisture. It's less saturated than the top soil.

I'd love your insight, and still how much and how often to water these if I'm watering that little amount.

http://somethingtohide.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dsc06408.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:4939}}

I plan on finding something around here to raise the tub a few more inches off the plastic lid. Make sure the wick is not in contact with the water in the collection reservoir.

There's also a bunch of holes in the container. Should I use a bunch of wicks? See above. Tilt the container so the water wants to move to the lowest hole. That is where the wick should be. Allow it to dangle 2-3 inches below the container. After the water is done draining from the wick, you can level the container again.

How far in should I push the wicks if the water areas are about five inches tall? Just push them in far enough so they are secure. Mops like these, made from 100% rayon work well. You can also cut strips from man made 100% rayon chamois.

Al

Just wondering if you saw my last post right before yours.

Is that enough tilt?
I don't think there's too much water in it, just condensation.
What do you think?

Nope - I missed the post you were talking about. It looks like it's tilted enough. You said you DO have holes poked in the bottom of the container? That's where the wick should go.

I figured you were super plant nurturer and over-watering based on your first post, when you said you were watering twice a day. ;o) I guess you'll need to be the judge about how wet the soil is. You want it damp, but definitely not soggy. Hopefully what you're doing is just fine & you didn't need my 2 cents worth. ;o)

I can't tell anything from the picture - sorry. ;o)

Al

Thanks man. Even though it doesn't seem like it, you've been a huge help.

Yes there's about ten holes placed all over.

I'm no super plant man, I just realized I want to grow plants and it's been growing inside of me (no pun intended) my entire life. I'm only 18, and I read up a lot on it and me and my girlfriend went shopping for everything last weekend.

I'm thrilled, it's not taken as long as I thought it would for the little guys to grow.

This is my first real try at this stuff. I've got three types of sunflowers and one type of zinnia in there, and I'm also growing a pepper bush.

I did make it seem like I watered a lot though :D
I might water once or twice a day, but since they're so little I only give them a little. I've used about 3/4ths of a water bottle on them so far.

But the soil never gets muddy or anything. It gets wet and nicely saturated (I think) and runs down and within a day or so it's just a little damp.

I was so scared during the germination I thought my paper towels were too wet and then they all sprouted the same day, and in less than half the time I thought. I was so surprised.