soil drying out too fast! help!

[aimeruni]

I use a soil less mix; I get that w/container gardening (which is what I use) the soil will just dry out faster, it's one of the drawbacks to container gardening.

To reduce heat build up I use translucent colored containers when possible. I'm also trying to water earlier in the morning, because supposedly the soil will retain moisture longer this way; however that doesn't seem to be making any difference.

However I know it's not just because I do container gardening that the soil mix dries out fast. I know it's also partly because of the soil mix itself.

I don't want the plants to be waterlogged, but I don't want it to retain moisture so well, that I'm having to water incessantly, which is what I'm doing.

Somebody suggested replacing part of the mix w/compost. However it already calls for Osmocote. I'm guessing I'd reduce the Osmocote, but by how much (per batch).

Also how much of the pine bark mulch should I replace w/compost? Again per batch. One batch makes 30 gallons.

Here is the recipe....it's 5 gallons vermiculite, 5 gal. spaghnum peat, 1 2 cubic foot bag pine bark mulch, 2 c lime, 2 c Osmocote. Those are the measurements per batch, one batch makes about 30 gallons.

[Sun City Linda]

The usual advice for that type recipe is to increase the peat moss as a way of retaining more water. Adding compost will alter the basic "soiless" component of the mix.

[fortyonenorth]

What is the particle size of the "pine bark mulch" you are using? Ideally, the particles would be smaller than 1/4". Bigger particles = more drainage = less water retention. Also, this mix needs to be properly moistened in order for it to work. If it is completely dry it will be hydrophobic - meaning it will not retain moisture.

If these conditions are met, it should not be drying out too quickly - certainly not at this time of the year in the upper midwest.

[cedarswamp]

I used Al's 5-1-1 (bark fines-peat-perlite) mix for the first time this year, and contrary to what I believed would happen, it actually retains moisture longer than either straight promix BX or MG moisture control while providing superior drainage. I think the larger particle size may hinder evaporation, at least thats my novice theory.

[TightenUp]

as fortyonenorth said- it is very important to make sure the mix is wet before you fill the containers.

how big are the plants right now?

try watering a little bit and waiting a couple minutes and watering again. repeat this process a few times over a half hour span and see if you can get the mix to absorb a little more water.

i am growing some tomatoes in 6 gallon plastic containers and its very easy to tell how wet my mix is. i just feel the weight of the pot. this is how i judge if my seedlings need water as well.

[rockhound]

I sometimes have to put something on the sunny side to shade the soil, (not the plants) since if it gets too hot it takes more water. Have you tried that?

[kenny_j]

I am growing in pots for the first time, using als 5-1-1 mix. On some I tried it minus the perlite, and so far so good, and they drain really well but still retain moisture, but never soggy. They seem dry, but if you wiggle a finger down into the mix several inches they are nice and damp. Even with the heat the last couple days they are good, watering every 3-4 days or so.

[casserole]

please show a pic of your bark,I am betting the size is over 1/4 inch

[stackhouse_kbtom]

put some rocks on top of your medium... river rock is good because it doesn't have salts... they also make pebbles for hydro u can use on top of your medium... rinse them off every year after your done growing... hydroton pebbles are what they are called... anyways this will help with evaporation... u can also plant with polymers in your medium.... drought farmers use them.. good luck