Watering seedlings from the bottom?

[celestina]

I've just up-potted my tomato seedling from their starting cells and I am wondering if I should continue to water them from the bottom or if I can start top watering now? Is damping off still a promblem once they have their true leaves? If there is already a thread on this just let me know and I can go from there.
Thanks!

[sirtanon]

I would say that if it's still convenient and practical, you should continue to water from the bottom. They'll only take the water they need that way and waterlogging or damping off will be less likely.

[Worth1]

In my experience damping off occurs right after the seeds sprout, when they still have a white look, in my case purple look to the stems.

Bottom or top watering is ok just make sure the top layer of soil dries a little before you water again.
They don’t need as mush water as you would think they would.
I know some folks would disagree with this but I make a mixture of 75%-25% sandy loam and composted manure to pot them up in.
The pots are heavy but I think it holds more water and gives the plant a better root system than potting soil.
It is also about the same soil I do the final planting in.

I never have any problem with transplant shock but then I never have transplant shock as I do it at sun down.

Just my opinion.

Worth

[celestina]

Thanks for your thoughts on this--very helpful!

[nctomatoman]

I don't bottom water at all any more. I think that the critical factor in damping off is the mix you seed them into; before I started using soilless mix, I got the occasional damping off; I've not experienced it in years since I've switched. I seed them into well moistened mix, lightly cover with saran wrap (so no need to water them again till they germinate), then mist them from the top with a sprayer when they emerge - this tamps them down and softens the seed coat so that they pop off more easily. Good air circulation is important as well. Once they are well emerged, I use a small watering can and water them from the top. No problems at all, even with densely planted seedlings.

[Tomstrees]

I actually water from the bottom with all of my plants (houseplants too).
Just be carefull if you are using peat pots - too much water will get you a mold problem ~

Tom

[flowerpower]

I also water all my plants from the bottom. Houseplants too. I use a cat litter pan I got at the Dollar Store. It works great.

[Ruth_10]

Celestina,
As you can see from the above threads, either method will work. I water from the bottom if I have time, from the top if I'm in a hurry.

[foolcontrol]

I have all of my seedlings on three trays. It is a lot easier for me to water from the bottom. I always water from the bottom.

[cdg]

How often do you all water them???
THANKS
CDG

[Ruth_10]

How often to water them? It is generally best to let the soil get fairly dry before watering. Tomato seedlings don't especially enjoy constant wetness. I use one of two methods to determine when they need water. One is the finger in the soil mix method. If it feels dry, then water. Most often I use weight--after lifting the seedling in its pot a few times, I get a feel for how much it weighs at various stages of wetness/dryness. I know it needs water when it feels light in weight. Simple, but you'd be surprised at how accurately you can judge it after doing it a few times.

[shelleybean]

I also water from the bottom, a habit that probably started with African violets. And I, too, use the weight of the pot to tell me when to water. I let my seedlings dry out quite a bit. I probably only water once a week but when I do, I water well.

[dirtdigging101]

and i thought i was the only one weighing my seedlings lol

the best indicator for me now

[flowerpower]

I weigh them too. lol