Need Advice on watering seed containers from bottom

[wheelterrapin]

Folks I am new to this forum and this question may have already been asked and answered and if so I apologize.

I started out my tomato seeds in a purchased seed starter kit that had a water reservoir and watering mat under the seed cells. Once the seeds germninated and the true leaves appeared I transplanted them into 16 ounce plastic solo cups. Prior to filling the solo cups with Miracle Grow Potting Mix I drilled a 3/8" hole in each cup. I set these 15 cups in a large shallow baking pan and put them under my 4-tube growing light.

I got to thinking, which is dangerous for me, why don't I pour water into the baking pan and let the plants water from the bottom so I did this. Then I figured I better put a couple of toothpicks under the solo cups to raise them up off of the bottom about an 1/8" to let the water flow freely under them and hopefully wick up into the cups. I have attached some photos of the setup.

My question is "Is this OK, has someone else tried this and it worked, I do not want to lose my plants due to trying something I was unfamiliar with". The last two mornings I have had to add water to keep the water level above the bottom of the cups so I know they are wicking water or I am losing it through natural evaporation.

Thanks for the help, any and all adivice will be grealty appreciated.

Paul Maples

[jcmorse33]

Bottom watering is a fairly standard practice amoung several members here on T'Ville. My one piece of advice would be to not put so much water in the pan so that your cups are sitting in water for extended periods of time. I'd probably try to give them just enough that there are no major puddles of water left after a few minutes but the soil is moist at the tops of the cups.

--Justin

[mdvpc]

put some holes in the side, at the bottom of the cup-I put one hole in the bottom, and 3 holes on the sides-the water will wick up. you dont need to keep water in the pan all the time-you want to let them wick the water up. You dont want the cups sitting in standing water.

[wheelterrapin]

Many thanks, I will drain the tray for a day or so and then add just a little water. Propering water of anything is a major problem for me. I either overwater or do not water enough

[wheelterrapin]

Thanks for the advice. It is a good thing I ask you folks as you can plainly see I was about to foul up in a magor way. I will put someholes in the side as you suggested. Thanks so much for the help

[wheelterrapin]

Is the holes in the side for oxygen to get to the root system or for excess water to drain out or both. I am running a very small fan during the day that just barely moves the leaves to make the stems strong and I am wondering if the holes in the side may overdry the potting soil. Like I said watering is a major problem of mine and I am trying to get it right. I appreciate all of the help from everyone.

[mdvpc]

wheel-the holes are to wick up the water. If you just have a hole in the bottom of the cup, I dont believe it can wick up enough water. The holes on the side do it nicely.

[wheelterrapin]

Great, never thought of that. How high up from the bottom do you recommend I put them. Do you put them in alignment from top to bottom on just one side or stagger the three holes around the cup from top to bottom. Will an 1/8" hole be big enough. Are you beginning to tell that I am a little paranoid about watering?

[salix]

If the soil gets moist at the top, I should think that the bottom hole is adequate. Don't let them sit in the water for any longer than necessary. Perhaps your greatest danger lies in the kitchen - does your wife know you have one of her good baking sheets?!

[mdvpc]

stagger the 3 holes-1/8 should be enough. put them right at the bottom of the cup. its tricky getting the watering right-too much or too little is bad.

[wheelterrapin]

Yep Salix and she does not like any part of it and told me she wants this mess out of her house but she sure does enjoy tomatoes each year.

[wheelterrapin]

Got it I will drill (3) 1/8" Holes around the base of the cup. Thanks for the help.

[mdvpc]

No problem-let us know how it goes.

[wheelterrapin]

Gang here is the latest picture of the modified setup. I drilled (3) 1/8" holes around the base of the cups. I also have now taken a same size baking pan, only it is perforated, and placed inside of the non-perforated pan which eliminates the need for toothpicks to be under the cups to raise the cups up enough to allow for water flow.

As you can see I completely removed all water from the pan last night and now my question would be "How ofter would you suggest that I water the plants from the bottom by adding water to the pan"?. I am running a small 4" fan on the plants eacg day which creates a gentle breeze to toughen the stems and this tends to dry out the top part of the soil.

http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...09Garden18.jpg

[dice]

You could wait until one starts to look a little wilted, then
water them. Or get a moisture meter:

http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store....-flypage-24031

I have one, bought years ago at Lowe's or HD. Works fine.