container watering issue

19 years ago

Okay.. I have gotten lots of feedback from my friends, colleagues... local nursery as well.....I went out and bought a "water meter".. the kind you stick in the pot and it reads 1-4.

How often should I be watering my pixie, Sango, katsura and Tam. They are all in pots. The pixie is in a small 2 gallon and the Sango and Katsura are in a 3 gallon. I have to say that the Tam is in probably a 5-6 gallon.

Some say, everyday, some say when dry, some say once a week.

HELP the last thing I need is "root rot".

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Comments (4)

xman
19 years ago
staceybeth,

Here are some posts that will give you a good idea on watering containers.

Container Soil and water in containers
LONG post so may take some time to load
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg0201290112896.html

Watering and Moisture Meter Questions
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/citrus/msg04054033797.html

xman
staceybeth
Original Author
19 years ago
Still confused. I dont think I will use the water meter anymore.. doesnt sound too reliable. I know that when I water my 4 the water drains well at the bottom... so I know the roots are okay.. however.. somtimes if they are out in the sun the top of the soil looks dry and I stick my finger down in and its damp. I am assuming that its like that all the way down and just the top layer of soil is dry.
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mattlwfowler
19 years ago
Usually containers will need to be watered more than once a week IMO. In small 1 gal to 2 gal pots they may need watering daily when it is hot and sunny all day if they are in most sun. In larger pots this watering could go down to twice a week. If, however, the trees are located in part shade to shade, you will want to water about half as often in my opinion.

You really just have to get into a rhythm testing the soil to see if it is wet every day. I think some light moisture an inch to two inches below the surface is what you would want compared to completely being dried out. What you don't want is for the soil in the bottom of the pot to be soggy. If you think you could squeeze water out of it, then you are watering too much. Slightly moist to the touch is ideal IMO. Once you've figured out a schedule you can get by checking every couple of weeks or so. If you have good potting soil you shouldn't have to worry about this too much, root rot usually becomes a problem in poor soils and if the good medium is allowed to get old and compacted without being aerated.
staceybeth
Original Author
19 years ago
Hi Matt, thanks for the info. I use tree and shrub mix which the JMs like. They all usually look dry on top but when I put my finger down about 1-2 inches its damp. I usually water it enough to see it draining out the bottom.

Thanks again.