links,

Are you using an eyedropper? What type of soil are you using? Is water flooding at the top of the pot before it comes out the bottom? Did you pot these yourself? What was you soil mixture? Store bought? How much water are you applying(oz)? need more info. JMHO Aloha

Hi Lehua.....I will try to answer your questions. I am using a spray bottle which i can mist or shoot at a more direct spray. The soil I am using I got from Home Depot and is called Seed Starter from Miracle Gro. The people at HD are very high on it. It has no rubbish, is formulated with 90-95% spagnum,peat moss, perlite, fertilizer and a wetting agent. Total nitrogen .05%, phosphate .01%, and soluable potash .05%. Says it is "excellent for germinating vegetable, flower and herb seeds and helps build strong root systems." I did pot everything myself for better or worse. Generally I feel I soak the plants pretty well. If they are dry, I will give them a good 15-20 squitrs. Like I said, it is very difficult to soak them enough so I see the water flowing out of the bottom of the pot.

Links,

I love experiments, it is the basis of the trial and error method and the basis of learning gardening. I do not know if the mix is good or not. Many in the gardening forum don't have much faith in the big box stores marketing information. They have great info on growing things from seed. Here is the experiment. Take a measuring cup and pour a measured amount of water into soil filled seed pot. If it doesn't come out then add another measured dose of water to the cup. Do this until the water comes out. Add all the doses that contributed to filling the pot until it came out of the bottom. Once you know that amount then use your squirt bottle and fill up the measuring cup to that amount. Counting the number of squirts it took. You have now calibrated the setting on your squirt bottle and know how much to fill the pot. You can do it for each setting on your bottle. Also, certain types of soil are high in newer organic material and water tend to resist soaking into the soil and will over flow the top instead of soaking in the soil. A surfactant is needed to release the surface resistance to the water or use soil with a better drainability. This is also true of over-compacted soil with too many fine particles as well. The gardening forum for your particular plant are very informative and helpful.

Lehua,

Thanks so much for the well thought out watering system. It sounds like a perfect way to guage the amont of water needed to keep the plants growing and happy. I actually read your response a few days ago and have been meaning to thank you. I have actually have all my plants outside now......some in pots and some in the gardens. Basically. I now try to give the plants a decent soaking and things are fine for now.........I hope. We live hear in NY and were are finally getting 70+ weather daily, with a few days in the 80's. Should be fun. This is only my second gardening season and like you said, trial and error is a great way to learn the ropes. Actually, my wife has been telling me the same thing. Thanks again.

links,

Your welcome. Unfortunately the more the garden grows the less time golf. Aloha

Lehua,

So True! Used to be a real golfaholic..................lived in an apartment complex which surrounded a golf course. Played more days than I didn't. As far as gardening here in NY, things are getting going . Some of my Cinammon Basil is almost a foot high. I grew all my Basil from seed this year. I'll put up some pics.

links,

Most welcome and good to see. HG. Aloha