This is a major issue in hoop houses. I use drip tape and never really flush things out. I now make it a practice to over head water once a month, in the spring I flush before adding compost. I have wondered where the salts came from I have a well the water is not salty, one day it occurred to me ( I can be rather dense ) commercial fertilizers and I suppose even manure will increase salinity. If I had found this 4 years ago I would have saved money and time. Thanks for sharing. I actually thought you were going to say bottom watering was bad, I was ready to light up your comment section. LOL.
Thanks Ashley! I was wondering about bottom watering, and since most plant channels seem to be plant lovers that may or may not have knowledge, I knew you'd be the right person to come to about bottom watering.
@@GardeningInCanada Oh no! Don't tell us they're both bad! Hahahahahaaa!. (Yes, I'd happily watch your full watering series... Bottom, Top, and Side Watering.)
Love the science behind the salts, what actually is going on inside the plant that makes salts bad. I knew they were bad, now its easier to grasp onto. Thanks again!
Thanks again for your content. If you haven't thrown that calathea away yet can you test the EC, PH and TDS of the water runoff on video? Obviously they're at dangerous levels but it would be great for educational reasons. For example, with all of that salt the EC level is probably over 4.0 but some people would continue to fertilize it because it looks weak instead of flushing.
Great video!! I would love it if you could also make a video on the topic of choosing soil type for self-watering pots of the type that you can't really flush through! Because in those cases you'd really need the capillary action so the water reaches the hole pot, but you definitely don't want the salts to stick around in the soil! So I'm wondering whether one should change the soil recipe depending on if you are planting in a regular plastic nursery pot or in a self-watering pot. And if there is anything else that you should think extra about when using the self-watering pots? I'm about to repot a bunch of Calatheas which will only receive filtered water. I know I will at least add vermicompost to the soil. The potting soil I have bought has an electrical conductivity of 40 mS/m +-25% but I cannot find what level Calatheas thrive in, could I flush out the soil before using it to be on the safe side or is that unnecessary? I also plan to add coco chips, live sphagnum moss and some charcoal granulates I have laying around that is actually intended to use when brewing wine. If you'd have any input on this as well I'd be super happy to hear it! Best regards from Sweden, Rebecka
Hello, Love your videos. They're always super informative and you can always hear your passion! I had a quick question about watering. Someone mentioned that they "pre-water" as in, they'll give all their plants a bit of water to wet the roots before providing a full water with fertilizer/treatments. Is there an argument for the benefits of this? Do wet roots uptake nutrients better, and if so is it necessary to pre-water if the fertilizer is already mixed with water?
this is a great video idea! I will do a video on this for you, but yes there is a good enough argument for pre watering. The idea is to have less waste and reduce root burn.
This was fantastically informative. Can you do another video about leaf discoloration and how it might indicate other forms of deficiencies, insect infestations, or even improper light levels? I have a Cattleya orchid that has dark green new growth, but all of its old leaves are very mottled shades of pale-to-dark green. I attributed it to the grow light I installed this winter being too bright and have since moved the plant further away. The newest leaf is dark green (probably too dark, indicating it needs more light), but the old leaves have not recovered and now I'm wondering if this is a sign of magnesium deficiency and magnesium having been transferred from the old growth to the new growth. I put a pic on your FB post and cross-posted that comment there. Whatever you determine the cause to be, feel free to use that picture I uploaded if you can use it as an example in other videos 😉.
Awesome thanks so much! For anyone wanting to know that answer to this here is the link. facebook.com/115228203511266/posts/260493645651387/?d=n Denise Perry thanks so much for the huge compliment! And yea so you definitely have some chlorotic mottling happening here which indicates a magnesium deficiency. But sometimes what can happen the plant experiences a temperature fluctuation which causes rapid growth (general speaking heat). What happens is the leaves formed when magnesium wasn’t present will yellow and eventually fall off. Which is what you’re starting to see here, your plant is trying to pull the magnesium it needs to grow a new leaf from your older leaves. So I think they light did too good of a job at getting some growth. I would fertilize with a calcium magnesium fertilizer or top dress the pot with powdered dolomite.
This was really good. I was actually looking info about this today. I have over 95 plants indoors and Im always asking myself what is the best and most efficient way to water them. I have been taking them to the bathtub and bottom watering them there and then let them drain any excess water. But there are days that I get tired of bringing the plants to the tub and then back to the shelf and I wonder if I should just use a regular watering can? Lol. Also, most of the times I forget to take them out of the tub on time and my kids have to remind me to move them so they can take a shower lol.
@@GardeningInCanada i sent a friend your way that was trying to tell people about organic rules He also wants to discuss gmo Anyway i sent him your way because of the science about growing real amounts of food to feed the masses Its hard if not impossible to grow organic everything I like organic or permaculture but i understand that we can't really do this in the scale we need
The terracotta pots always have a fine white coating after each weekly watering (of Hoyas) despite little/weak (monthly) to no fertilizing. How long do the plants/pots need to remain under the tap to flush sufficiently and how often to repeat?
Unfortunately with the terracotta pot it’s a clay product so it maybe “stuck” in the pot itself. If it’s suspended and not leaving the clay pot the good news is it can’t harm your plant. And don’t flush outside of your regular watering
What do you do if you have a plant in a container with no drainage holes? I know it’s not the best practice, however my plants have been doing well so far. How do you flush salts in this scenario? Would I have to completely take the plant out and replace the soil?
This salt buildup is new, do the plants make it or is it from dissolving rock (saltrock) in rivers? Scoop it out and replace? sounds good. we just covered the top layer with regular dirt to cover the fungus, prolly could have removed it first but was lazy. window garden is potatoes and radishes, filling out the window, in two weeks we start the peppers and triage everything, what stays and eating the rest.
Is bottom watering safe if i let my soil dry out before doing it then only bottom water to saturate the soil? I try to let rain water saturate my soil when possible, but on days i can't, i have to pH down my water. I find when the soil drys out the water runs through the soil and drains out without being absorbed. If i put a water collection tray i end up having to bottom water anyways.
I have a question if I put in parts per million 0.945 in and I get 1.800 out what that another scenario 1.800 in and I get only 0.945 what that ??? What do I do in either scenario do I put more nutes in or do I flush
What i have noticed on my plants is also a buildup of some kind. I don’t think its salt because its not hard like crystal, but soft and moist and its also not white or light colour, but orange or brown. The soil in pot is very old too 😬😅 and i water it from top, but exes water runs to the bottom where it’s in a second pot just like you showed in video. What could it be?
I completely know what your talking about and it’s either one of two things mold or possibly dissolved minerals from your water. If it’s dissolved minerals your should be able to take a rock and place it in a little bit of water. Once the water evaporates it will leave that “rust” look behind. If it’s fungus leave it. It means your soil is happy and healthy, feed them some manure or compost by top dressing and they will bring you a bigger better plant.
I have a solution for bottom watering too much Water Works well. After bottom water. You place the pot into a small pot and let gravity take its course.
I live in the midwest in the US, I do plant indoor and outdoors.
Nice! That’s the best way to do it ☺️😊
Very informative. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed! Interesting stuff is it not?
Love it when you talk nerdy! My personality requires the answer to why. I have the why question and you provide the why answer! 👍🏻
My personality is identical
This is a major issue in hoop houses. I use drip tape and never really flush things out. I now make it a practice to over head water once a month, in the spring I flush before adding compost. I have wondered where the salts came from I have a well the water is not salty, one day it occurred to me ( I can be rather dense ) commercial fertilizers and I suppose even manure will increase salinity. If I had found this 4 years ago I would have saved money and time. Thanks for sharing. I actually thought you were going to say bottom watering was bad, I was ready to light up your comment section. LOL.
Hahah uh oh
Thanks Ashley! I was wondering about bottom watering, and since most plant channels seem to be plant lovers that may or may not have knowledge, I knew you'd be the right person to come to about bottom watering.
i need to do one on top watering as well
@@GardeningInCanada Oh no! Don't tell us they're both bad! Hahahahahaaa!. (Yes, I'd happily watch your full watering series... Bottom, Top, and Side Watering.)
Hi Ashley, Plant mamma from Montreal. I just found your channel and I'm in the process of watching. Thank you for putting fantastic content..
WOOHOO welcome!
Love the science behind the salts, what actually is going on inside the plant that makes salts bad. I knew they were bad, now its easier to grasp onto. Thanks again!
Yea it’s easier to understand the why if you have the whole story
like 8 very informative thanks for sharing
No problem glad you enjoyed!
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed. Have you ever noticed salt build up?
Saint John NB Canada 🎉 my tap water pH is between 6.3-6.8
Love learning from your videos! Thank You!
That is awesome!
Love the grasses ha ha joke glasses grasses 😆
I am in Wisconsin! Cold weather months-my goal is to get all my new houseplants through winter! Humidifier and grow lights season
Woohoo! Sending you all the positive vibes to get there
Thank you. Really appreciate this work from a science perspective.
Thanks for a drink so much. If you enjoyed it let’s be sure to share with people you love. It helps me out a ton
G’day, greetings from South East Queensland, Australia.
Hello!
GTA, Ontario
Nice! Did you guys have snow for Christmas?
@@GardeningInCanada yes we did! Our first snowfall was on christmas day! I believe we got 15-20cm ofsnow. Did you get any snowfall?
We were suffocated in feet early November and then somehow it’s started melting so it’s half ice half snow
I tried bottom watering for the first time and oh my God the plants to grow I tried to mimic nature
Haha nice!
Very helpful, thank you very much for your tasty knowledge.
Thanks so much for the kind compliment!
💚
❤️
I love using yucca root powder as a flushing booster. Hooray for saponins!
Oh that’s awesome I love that idea
I bottom water. I get salt build up - white stuff on the top. I have noticed my melons suffering from luck of Potassium. Thanks for the info.
Anytime! Glad you’re enjoying. What is your current temperature where you are?
Ontario, Canada woot woot
Nice!
I always pickup a few pointers watching your videos❤....just can't figure out how to convince my girlfriend that the plant needs one of her tampons🤔😀
AHAHAHA Just start using them and see if she notices stings sticking out of the pots.
@@GardeningInCanada
Lmao🤣
☺️❤️
Love your videos.. so much advice is just based on lore and “well it works for me”. Love to discover the truth even when it’s me that’s wrong 😉
Yea absolutely everyone scenario is specific
Northwest BC ... zone 7a (wet and cool for the most part)
Lots of humidity! That’s good
Thanks again for your content. If you haven't thrown that calathea away yet can you test the EC, PH and TDS of the water runoff on video?
Obviously they're at dangerous levels but it would be great for educational reasons.
For example, with all of that salt the EC level is probably over 4.0 but some people would continue to fertilize it because it looks weak instead of flushing.
Yea that’s a smart idea! I might still have the soil at a minimum, let me see what I can cook up!
Nice
🥸
Great video!! I would love it if you could also make a video on the topic of choosing soil type for self-watering pots of the type that you can't really flush through! Because in those cases you'd really need the capillary action so the water reaches the hole pot, but you definitely don't want the salts to stick around in the soil! So I'm wondering whether one should change the soil recipe depending on if you are planting in a regular plastic nursery pot or in a self-watering pot. And if there is anything else that you should think extra about when using the self-watering pots?
I'm about to repot a bunch of Calatheas which will only receive filtered water. I know I will at least add vermicompost to the soil. The potting soil I have bought has an electrical conductivity of 40 mS/m +-25% but I cannot find what level Calatheas thrive in, could I flush out the soil before using it to be on the safe side or is that unnecessary? I also plan to add coco chips, live sphagnum moss and some charcoal granulates I have laying around that is actually intended to use when brewing wine. If you'd have any input on this as well I'd be super happy to hear it!
Best regards from Sweden,
Rebecka
Yea that’s a great video idea. And I don’t think that’s over kill at all. I think that’s a great practice.
Hello, Love your videos. They're always super informative and you can always hear your passion! I had a quick question about watering. Someone mentioned that they "pre-water" as in, they'll give all their plants a bit of water to wet the roots before providing a full water with fertilizer/treatments. Is there an argument for the benefits of this? Do wet roots uptake nutrients better, and if so is it necessary to pre-water if the fertilizer is already mixed with water?
this is a great video idea! I will do a video on this for you, but yes there is a good enough argument for pre watering. The idea is to have less waste and reduce root burn.
This was fantastically informative. Can you do another video about leaf discoloration and how it might indicate other forms of deficiencies, insect infestations, or even improper light levels? I have a Cattleya orchid that has dark green new growth, but all of its old leaves are very mottled shades of pale-to-dark green. I attributed it to the grow light I installed this winter being too bright and have since moved the plant further away. The newest leaf is dark green (probably too dark, indicating it needs more light), but the old leaves have not recovered and now I'm wondering if this is a sign of magnesium deficiency and magnesium having been transferred from the old growth to the new growth. I put a pic on your FB post and cross-posted that comment there. Whatever you determine the cause to be, feel free to use that picture I uploaded if you can use it as an example in other videos 😉.
Awesome thanks so much! For anyone wanting to know that answer to this here is the link.
facebook.com/115228203511266/posts/260493645651387/?d=n
Denise Perry thanks so much for the huge compliment!
And yea so you definitely have some chlorotic mottling happening here which indicates a magnesium deficiency. But sometimes what can happen the plant experiences a temperature fluctuation which causes rapid growth (general speaking heat). What happens is the leaves formed when magnesium wasn’t present will yellow and eventually fall off. Which is what you’re starting to see here, your plant is trying to pull the magnesium it needs to grow a new leaf from your older leaves. So I think they light did too good of a job at getting some growth. I would fertilize with a calcium magnesium fertilizer or top dress the pot with powdered dolomite.
This was really good. I was actually looking info about this today. I have over 95 plants indoors and Im always asking myself what is the best and most efficient way to water them. I have been taking them to the bathtub and bottom watering them there and then let them drain any excess water. But there are days that I get tired of bringing the plants to the tub and then back to the shelf and I wonder if I should just use a regular watering can? Lol. Also, most of the times I forget to take them out of the tub on time and my kids have to remind me to move them so they can take a shower lol.
Hahah that’s awesome. Plants are basically children 🤷🏼♀️
@@GardeningInCanada do u do more bottom watering or regular watering?
I do more regular. The exception being leca.
@@GardeningInCanada thank you
No problem!
I just learned not to overwater and now I have to learn to overwater big time. Not again.
Hahaha 😂
Great video much love xoxox
Thanks!! ❤️
@@GardeningInCanada your welcome much love xoxox
You too!
@@GardeningInCanada i sent a friend your way that was trying to tell people about organic rules
He also wants to discuss gmo
Anyway i sent him your way because of the science about growing real amounts of food to feed the masses
Its hard if not impossible to grow organic everything
I like organic or permaculture but i understand that we can't really do this in the scale we need
@@wildedibles819 Hey there Friend 😁🐓
The terracotta pots always have a fine white coating after each weekly watering (of Hoyas) despite little/weak (monthly) to no fertilizing. How long do the plants/pots need to remain under the tap to flush sufficiently and how often to repeat?
Unfortunately with the terracotta pot it’s a clay product so it maybe “stuck” in the pot itself. If it’s suspended and not leaving the clay pot the good news is it can’t harm your plant.
And don’t flush outside of your regular watering
What do you do if you have a plant in a container with no drainage holes? I know it’s not the best practice, however my plants have been doing well so far. How do you flush salts in this scenario? Would I have to completely take the plant out and replace the soil?
This salt buildup is new, do the plants make it or is it from dissolving rock (saltrock) in rivers? Scoop it out and replace? sounds good. we just covered the top layer with regular dirt to cover the fungus, prolly could have removed it first but was lazy. window garden is potatoes and radishes, filling out the window, in two weeks we start the peppers and triage everything, what stays and eating the rest.
It’s mostly from water and fertilizer (both organic and inorganic) the build up depends mostly on folks water at home
Is bottom watering safe if i let my soil dry out before doing it then only bottom water to saturate the soil? I try to let rain water saturate my soil when possible, but on days i can't, i have to pH down my water. I find when the soil drys out the water runs through the soil and drains out without being absorbed. If i put a water collection tray i end up having to bottom water anyways.
I don’t think it’s an issue as long as your are flushing
😉😉
I have a question if I put in parts per million 0.945 in and I get 1.800 out what that another scenario 1.800 in and I get only 0.945 what that ??? What do I do in either scenario do I put more nutes in or do I flush
What i have noticed on my plants is also a buildup of some kind. I don’t think its salt because its not hard like crystal, but soft and moist and its also not white or light colour, but orange or brown. The soil in pot is very old too 😬😅 and i water it from top, but exes water runs to the bottom where it’s in a second pot just like you showed in video. What could it be?
I completely know what your talking about and it’s either one of two things mold or possibly dissolved minerals from your water. If it’s dissolved minerals your should be able to take a rock and place it in a little bit of water. Once the water evaporates it will leave that “rust” look behind.
If it’s fungus leave it. It means your soil is happy and healthy, feed them some manure or compost by top dressing and they will bring you a bigger better plant.
@@GardeningInCanada thank you very much! 😃 its probably the minerals.
Do you have hard water where you are?
@@GardeningInCanada i did not though so, but i guess i have 😆 maybe I’m just used to it
Hahah it’s possible. If you’re hair hasn’t turned the same colour as mine yet you’re safe 😉
I have a solution for bottom watering too much Water Works well. After bottom water. You place the pot into a small pot and let gravity take its course.
Yea! Absolutely
EC is high run off is more than u are putting in