[A Reyt Tayty]

I've been doing my watering this way, but some pots seem to stay absolutely waterlogged for days afterwards. I was repotting a chrysanth cutting this morning, and the compost was like sludge. I hadn't watered it for several days. And no, I don't leve them in standing water.

[shokkyy]

Sounds like your pots aren't draining. I do stand mine in anything up to a couple of inches of water (depending on pot/plant size) to get them good and watered when they feel dry, and they never get waterlogged like that. Checked the drainage holes in the bottom of the pots, to make sure they're not blocked up by something?

[A Reyt Tayty]

Surely if they let the water in, they should let it out?

[mumofstig]

What compost are you using? I wonder  is it one of those 'extra water holding' ones?

[A Reyt Tayty]

What compost are you using? I wonder  is it one of those 'extra water holding' ones?

Vitax Q mainly.

[mumofstig]

as I suspected
http://www.vitax.co.uk/index.php/area/home-garden/compost-and-soil/vitax-q4-multipurpose-compost/

it contains a special wetting agent to help to improve water penetration and retention and enables the compost to soak up water even if it dries out.

You have to be very careful now, just to keep things moist rather than soaking. I have used those sports water bottles with the pull out caps and just given each module/pot a little squirt, when I had the same trouble last year with a levington's compost with 'enhanced' water retention 

[grendel]

all the trays in my mini greenhouses are waterlogged, I figured it out, when it rains there is a puddle forms and drains into the greenhouse through the vent holes, which waters the trays, all this rain and even not watering them they are soggy. hmm
Grendel

[shokkyy]

I've used Vitax Q4 for all my seeds and potting on this year, and had no problems with waterlogging at all. I like it much better than the JAB I was using last year.

[Paul Plots]

For one minute, having read the thread title, I thought we had trouble with Austrialains drilling holes from down under to relieve the flooding they had. 


My dad's tip was: "Stick your finger in it. If it feels damp or the compost sticks to your finger it's wet enough"

Sometimes just lifting a seed tray or smallish pot can tell you if it's dry or not once you get used to the weight differences between wet and dry.  I know what I mean. 

Simply don't over water!!!!!! 

[compostqueen]

I always pick up the pot or tray to feel the weight of it before going anywhere near it with water. 

[jrko]

I dont get the point of it.  I stick the plant in, water the top and stand in water for about 1/2hr.  Thats it.  Then I only ever water the surface of the soil.

If its wet after several days its either yer soil or yer water practices

[Auntiemogs]

I've taken to putting small pieces of capilliary matting in the bottom of the trays and giving it a quick squirt. Also use the 'squirty' bottles like MOS - dead handy they are. 

[devonbarmygardener]

I water the roots of my plants like toms, peppers, aubergines etc using a fizzy drink bottle with one of those pointy, holey watering things on.
Herbs I always water from the bottom up, but if the soil feels moist I leave it for that day.