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Potting Soil Stays Dry When Watered?

Posted by sdpatiogrower CA (My Page) on
Wed, Jul 8, 09 at 22:30

Has anyone experienced this:

You soak your potted plants and the surface of the soil is wet. But dig down not even half an inch and the soil is still bone dry.

Mainly seeing it in potting soil that is a couple years old. You can water all you want but it drains down and out of the pot and the soil underneath the surface retains no moisture.

I am watering until the pot overflows with water several times with same result. I think this lack of moisture is killing many of my plants.

Not able to find anything on Google but I am sure others have seen this phenomenon. Any help, besides repotting with new soil? Thanks

- Adam


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Potting Soil Stays Dry When Watered?

Hi

I usually do not post here but I did see your post. May I suggest you visit the Container Forum with your question. I learned a lot in regards to water issues when growing plants in pots. There are great thread there that discuss water flow and water retention in pots.

Liz


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RE: Potting Soil Stays Dry When Watered?

  • Posted by scaldude Sunset Z23 SouthOC (My Page) on
    Fri, Jul 17, 09 at 21:24

I know I'm responding a week after the fact, but I think you answered your own question....after 2 years, it might be time to repot with new soil. Plus, if there's a significant root ball, the water will just pass through.

You can also try filling a water dish under the pot, and let the water draw upwards to the roots.

Good luck.


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RE: Potting Soil Stays Dry When Watered?

If one of my containers drys out I put it in a bucket of water and make sure the top of the soil is covered and let it sit for awhile. That really saturates it, no matter how old the potting soil. Once it is saturated, if you keep it moist by watering often, you wont have to do this again.


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