Hi Java! I've posted a link below from the Container Gardening Forum... it explains in detail how soil and water work together. There are several great posts on the subjects of soils and watering, also fertilizing, by a GardenWeb member called "tapla". They are very informational, and since container gardening goes hand in hand with growing Hippeastrum bulbs, I thought you might find them useful!

I've been reading and following much of what Al, or "tapla", has to say regarding soil and watering, and I've found that my bulbs are much happier for it!

Your questions will be answered by reading a bit over at the Container Forum... there are also posts there about different types of containers that use the wicking you talk about... hope this helps you!

Here is a link that might be useful: Container Soils - Water Movement & Retention V

Thanks Jodik,

I have browsed the Container Forum. There is so much information there that I admit to being overwhelmed.

I think I have found the pertinent section in the link you mentioned.

Quote:

There will be a naturally occurring "perched water table" (PWT) in containers when soil particulate size is under about .125 (1/8) inch.. This is water that occupies a layer of soil that is always saturated & will not drain from the portion of the pot it occupies. It can evaporate or be used by the plant, but physical forces will not allow it to drain. It is there because the capillary pull of the soil at some point will surpass the GFP; therefore, the water does not drain, it is "perched". The smaller the size of the particles in a soil, the greater the height of the PWT.
...
If you discover you need to increase drainage, you can simply insert an absorbent wick into a drainage hole & allow it to extend from the saturated soil to a few inches below the bottom of the pot, or allow it to contact soil below the container where it can be absorbed. This will successfully eliminate the PWT & give your plants much more soil to grow in as well as allow more, much needed air to the roots.

Yes... although, as you can see as you get into reading more of the posts by tapla, soil goes hand in hand with watering... interesting and educational stuff, to be sure!

It's a bit overwhelming at first, but the more you read, the more you see it's as easy as using the right medium and watering properly. Healthy roots are the goal!

You may have to adjust the medium and watering a bit to suit your climate and weather patterns if you grow outdoors, but it's all relevant information. I'm glad I discovered all those posts, and glad to share the information! I think once you understand how plants grow and use soil, water and food, it all becomes a little bit easier...

I use this method (reverse water wicking) with my window box grown seedlings when they are outside and get hosed down and rained on. I cut 12" of wet acrylic yarn, tie at the end of a bbq stick, poke it through the center holes of the window box until it reach the top of the soil and then release it with like 6"of the yarn dangling in the bottom of the pot. The center of the window box does not dry as fast as the sides and this method helps in draining out excess water/moisture in that area. I elevate the window boxes making sure the wicks are dangling and not "sat on" by the pot so that the water can freely flow downwards. The potting mix dries out faster too. Growing African Violets for years have taught me a lot about potting medium and watering methods.