Aiming for optimum moisture content in soil/medium

[nniemiec]

I have been growing in a "Larry Hall" styled gutter system, using 18 gallon totes w. net cups sitting in the gutter.

I'm realizing (my 3rd growing season) that by continuously having the net cups submerged in water that it's possible that a significant amount of the soil/medium remains too saturated, which may result in a reduction of root growth in the lower portion of the tote due to the capillary wicking action.

I have begun experimenting w. filling the gutter manually 1x / day vs. utilizing the float connected to a live water line continuously.

Has anyone thought through the possible need to limit water in-take in a self-watering container system (utilizing the wick method) so as not to oversaturate the soil / medium or am I just overthinking this???

Thanks in advance for your critical thought.

[encore]

before larry started covering the mesh cups,the roots would grow down right into the gutters, my system right now has about 3-4 inches where the fabric is wet, i'm using buckets with holes drilled , for air pruning.

[encore]

soil is moist to the top , just the bottom 3-4 inches are soggy wet if you push on it. plants seem to be doing really good.

[Barb_FL]

I agree.

Last spring was the first time I grew Peppers in an Earthbox. I had only grown them before in Root Pouches and even a raised bed one year. In the RP, pepper plants will live several years (even neglected).

Production in the EB was great but the plants only lasted one season and when I removed them, there were hardly any roots.

This spring I am growing a lot of peppers and have 1 set in an EB and one in a homemade EB with 2 net cups that doesn't wick as well; The HM EB has a shallow reservoir.

I am only giving them 1/2 gallon of water every couple of days and the plants are so much stronger than this time last year.


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OTOH, When I remove my tomatoes from the EB, there are tons of roots in the reservoir so they must be seeking the water.

[encore]

here's what they look like today.

[luigiwu]

I have not given it any thought because I don't see anything wrong with the production on my tomatoes. The only reason to tinker might be the taste. You'll read on here how serious tomatoheads start holding back the water when the fruits are ripening to concentrate flavor. I cannot get a good-tasting yellow-light colored tomato on my RGGS. But I also can't be bothered to tweak everything to the very minute detail and prefer to grow non-yellow tomatoes. I don't have a lot of extra time to begin with and that is why the RGGS is so great for me and my schedule. Production-wise, I don't have any issues. I've read an article where it states that wicking only goes up 12-inches. The plant roots definitely end up int he gutter as they are always seeking water.

[nniemiec]

I've had the same observation: The roots are surprisingly contained despite having a main stem that does reach the gutters - i expected much more root development in the tote - spread throughout the space.

[Barb_FL]

ENCORE - Your plants are beautiful! Anything besides the wooden stake holding them up?

[encore]

thanks --- just metal cages and stakes.---tom