swc watering observation

[TightenUp]

i have 2 swc's similar to an earthtainer. one is filled with peat(3) and perlite(1) while the other is filled with peat(3) pine bark mulch-not fines, bigger(2) and perlite(1).

the numbers are approx rations of filling.

anyway the container with just peat and perlite is drinking or evaporating about triple the water of the other container that has the bark mulch. does this make sense?

both are uncovered right now as i have carrots sprouting around my tomato plants(1 tom plant in each swc)

[rnewste]

Jeff,

The moisture barrier does indeed make a difference, as well as the type of plants you have in the two EarthTainers. I know the carrots prevent you from installing the barrier, but if water consumption is an issue with you, then this is what I would suggest.

No other explanation as this is a closed system and unless there is a pin-hole in the bottom of the EarthTainer, there is no other way for your water to disappear faster in one as compared to the other.

Raybo

[TightenUp]

hmmm. i will have to move it around to see if water pools up after moving. right now its on a deck so i prob wouldnt notice a small amount of water dripping out of the bottom under the deck.. the deck is close to the ground so no way for me to get under it

[TightenUp]

water consumption not an issue. was just making an observation

i thought the density of the mix might have allowed for evaporation at different rates

[rnewste]

Jeff,

Different rate of evaporation would be my guess.

What are the plants in Container #1, and in Container #2?

Raybo

[TightenUp]

1 has a neves azorian red x brandywine f4 RL and the other cher pruple. carrots are literally just popping out so i doubt they are makiing a diff.

one thing i must add is that i had a white garbage bag over the one without carrots but the plant did not look healthy. constant rain, no sun and the fact that the medium seemed so damp under the garbage bag i decided to take it off. this was about a week ago. since removing the white garbage bag the plant has taken off and its still rainy every day

i thought the watering would level off a bit but it has not. its been a week and the one container still drinking so much more.