Water Your Plants Like This!

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#wateringplants

[@annelieseengland8500]

Hi. Im very new to keeping house plants and there are so many videos out there with so much information. I keep coming back to your videos every time though. I find them so very helpful and put in a way that I understand. I just wanted to say a huge thankyou. I just got all new pots with saucers for bottom watering and I bought the moisture meter which is so much better than sticking my finger in and guessing. I'm very grateful for people like you sharing information.. So once again thankyou 🙏

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Excellent thank you!

[@BerylBerry]

I put mine in a bowl and fill it all the way up and set my timer for 35 minutes. It’s easy for me I have 60 plants most are in my bedroom and many are baby succulents and lots of snake plants 🌿🪴🌱🌵

[@ratisharma4526]

Hello, i tried watering the plant by filling the tray underneath it and the plants do look much better and perkier, all the water was soaked up , i was top watering n probably the roots were still thirsty Thanks for this tip, works for me.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great 👍

[@virtuallycolleen]

Thanks for showing the process! So helpful for newbies.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glad it was helpful!

[@morebirdsandroses]

I just started this from your info in another video. I came back into the room and the ponytail palm looked fantastic like it had just found a better brand of water! Thanks so much🌿🌼

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing

[@daphne1767]

Following your watering suggestions has helped my plants dramatically and reduced the # of gnats. I've adopted all of your suggestions. Thank you! I want to offer a suggestion to make bottom-watering even easier. This project takes no more than 5-10 min per plant to set up and saves hours of watering time and worry. As you recommend, I use nursery pots inside ceramic pots. While doing this project, I use soft fabric ribbon to hold the follage upright and out of the way. I then use a hot glue gun to place a row or two of 1/2" diameter rope around the outside lip of the nursery pot. After the glue is fully dry, I place the nursery pot in a ceramic pot, which has a stopper (plug) in the bottom. The rope around the lip of the side of the nursery pot holds the nursery pot far enough up that water can be placed in the bottom of the ceramic pot. I use cotton string fed through the plant soil to wick up the water. It works amazingly well! Now, I can go away for a week or two, and I don't have to worry about watering. I hope others benefit from this advice. 😊 Also, thank you for sharing your wisdom and advice. Caring for my houseplants gives me great joy.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks for the tip. So it’s a homemade self watering system? Sounds neat

[@nicholaschiazza7926]

As always, thanks for the wonderful advice. You should write a book! 🪴🪴🪴

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You bet!

[@meaghan2626]

Looking forward to trying this!

[@geekmusicfreak23]

Great video! Informative and to the point. Thanks so much for all the info.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@curly.shilly thanks very much!

[@andrewoldfield6177]

Thanks for all the advice you give. I'm new to house plants and find your vids interesting and help a lot

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

My pleasure 😊

[@heavnli_goddess6052]

I’ll be giving this a try. Thanks!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You bet!

[@trudi1drinkell]

Thank you, bottom watering, help get rid of my fungus knats problems 🤩

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great stuff 👍

[@thephotographersunny]

Thanx Really informative

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Most welcome

[@dmitrimikrioukov5935]

This method is very useful for Venus flytraps because when you top-water, the traps start closing "thinking" the water is insects, which is bad for the plant. To avoid mineral and alkalinity build-up I just add a teaspoon of 6% vinegar per litre of water and top-water with it once a month to flush out the salts.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

👌

[@SK-fy8dl]

Whoa, you're saying I don't have to buy distilled water for my fly traps anymore?

[@dmitrimikrioukov5935]

@@SK-fy8dl To be honest, I did that for a few years and all went fine. However, this year I noticed as if the flytraps have started to decline somewhat, even though it has been the first year they bloomed, actually. So just recently I have collected some rainwater and am currently watering with it. I'll see how it goes. So it seems as if you can actually add vinegar to the water and top-water once in a while to remove the salts, but this might not last perpetually. Maybe the reason is that you have to balance the amount of vinegar with the amount of salts, which in reality is impossible unless you are a professional biochemist in a lab. So the soil eventually either ends up too acidic or too salty.

[@ohnoyce]

​@@dmitrimikrioukov5935 you can't go wrong with rainwater! Ever!

[@mahnazhosseini2554]

Thanks for your good video

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thank you too

[@khaleesidire3367]

Thank you for this! I didn't know all the things I was doing wrong😂

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

👍👍

[@BerylBerry]

Thank you for this video, I was watching Wild Fern and she was watering her plant for the top and it really annoyed me. So I found you ! I bottom water all my plants . Except for my terrariums I mist those two ! God bless 🙏🏼🌿💙

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Bottom watering for the win 😁

[@lorimckenna2386]

So, since I watched your videos, bottom watering and using the proper water( distilled, rain or with stress coat) for the first time I have a tricolor stromanthe that has not started to have brown tips. Plus o have a fairly new Calathea that is not browning either!! In the past they start browning after the first watering. I never connected it to the water I was using. I always thought it was either over watered or under watered. I’m so happy, hopefully that’s all it was. I’ve tried several times to grow tri color stromanthe and little by little they died. 🤞

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

That’s great! Glad the tips are working 😁

[@MyLocsMyPlants]

if the saucer empties quickly how many times would you refill it ?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

A couple of times if needed until it stops soaking up so quickly

[@MyLocsMyPlants]

@@SheffieldMadePlants thanks!

[@annettenoga6182]

Good video. I agree bottom watering is a great method. My dilemma is how long to have the pot sitting in the water? I like to flush out the soil at times.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks. If your plant is thirsty then it should soak it up pretty quick. If it’s sitting in water after a couple of days it probably didn’t need to be watered.

[@MariaJoseGuzman-qg2un]

I believe you should do another video on how exactly to do the bottom watering, as you can see there's a lot of questions that arise.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqe9gnx8hKyrfJo

[@ohnoyce]

​@@SheffieldMadePlants😘🤗

[@albertvital383]

Do I have to be careful to not puncture roots when inserting the moisture meter? I'm still learning how gentle I have to be with plants.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Nah roots are robust

[@Ncky]

I have bought that analog moisture meter. Should I read it right away after sticking it into soil or should I let it sit in soil for 15-30sec?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Should read immediately

[@kellybaker503]

A question about bottom watering…I struggle to find the right pots without holes so I can bottom water. For now I have the saucers but the fungus gnats just make their way into the bottom. So frustrating! If I had pots instead of trays, maybe it would prevent those little buggers from getting into the bottom? Or maybe I just don’t let them dry out enough. I struggle with too wet or too dry and then there’s rot! I enjoyed the video and hope to master watering!!!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Sounds like you need to let the soil dry out some more. If they're at the bottom it's quite the infestation you've got!

[@allonewordcaps]

I have begun started to water my plants this way. I take them to the sink that has water in it and soak them with a few inches of water. Works really well. I don’t have decorative pots to put mine in so this is great. I also don’t have many plants and they are all pretty small. How do you water the big plant you have upstairs? (I forgot what it is called, starts with a m and has all those nifty shaped leaves).😊

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

The monstera? I don’t move it. Just pour water over the soil

[@donnajaemoon]

I’m bottom watering in saucers for the first time. It’s easy to see how far up the soil has been moistened in terracotta pots. For ceramic and plastic pots, however, the only way seems to be the appearance of the top soil. Well, not the only way, because I do have a moisture meter. But, how long should it take for the top soil to actually show moisture? Also, I notice much of your bottom watering is done in cache pots. Should I fill saucers more than once per watering? Thanks.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

If it's a little saucer then you probably need to water a bit more often.

[@deltatango6793]

I have great south facing windows in my apartment. I bought 6 assorted size bottom watering plant pots with good reviews from Amazon. I plan on repotting some plants in spring. Can you recommend plants that I should prioritize for these types of pots? They have a moisture wicking rope and a twist-on-off bottom tray with a bit of extra space for water… as well as a little lip to add water to the bottom tray. Peace Lily? Monstera? Succulents? Aloe, jade? Alocasia? Anthurium? Money plant? Focus? Calathea? Just spitting out some plants I can see from here haha

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

So plants that don’t particularly like to dry out fully like Calathea, peace lily are ideal but all the plants you mentioned will work well. Check on the succulents if they are taking up too much water to the leaves and turning mushy

[@biancadimaio1103]

Would this work on a plant that is in a decorative pot with a drainage hole? The drainage hole is about half and inch in diameter. In this case I would pour the water into the plant saucer. If I try this, how will I know if it’s working?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

That’ll work. If the plant soaks it up it’s working.

[@bphoxay6440]

Do you always use the meter before watering? So how often do you use the meter to check your soil to determine when to water? Thank you for the Links.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yes I do. Soil can be deceiving so I always check first. I check once a week

[@PuranjayJain]

Is there a solution for mosquitoes and other insects which propogate in water?

[@Slothlodge]

Questions. 1. How to know how much water to put at the bottom? Do you check after an hour to see if the top soil is moist? 2. Will the top soil also get moist so you can still water based on a "top 2 inches dried out" indication? 3. Do you essentially NEED to use a moisture meter on every single plant? seems very time consuming

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I’ve got another video on this coming out soon that answers these questions

[@paulinewilliam1178]

Watched this video soon after it came out and bought an expensive moisture meter at Amazon which does not work. I did not return it because I kept it a long time before using it' Can you recommend a good brand moisture meter?

[@squarefrog]

I've taken your advice and started bottom watering my plants, but one thing that worries me is the moisture meter still reads between dry and moist (about a 3). My ficus mix is about 40% perlite to 60% compost. The nursery pots have drainage holes and I leave them in the water tray for up to an hour then discard the left over water. What am I doing wrong?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You might need to leave it to soak for longer. I leave it a day these days. If water is still there the next day I discard.

[@squarefrog]

@@SheffieldMadePlants OK will do, thanks!

[@barbaraowens2299]

​@@SheffieldMadePlantsI've done my first plant bottom watering and I had the same question. It soaked up some water, waited an hour, moisture meter reads dry. I think maybe the soil may be too compacted by the drainage holes. I do see a few roots.

[@DieDieEla]

I have some plants with small rootsystem, they might not going down deep enough in the pot. Will bottom watering still working?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

The soil will still wick up the moisture so you'll be fine

[@Mooncyn117]

Hi can you bottom water if your plant is in a clay pot? Or does the pot soak up all the water?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glazed inside is better. I’ve found it leeches and keeps my windowsill wet

[@Shreeladebi]

Hi, I apologise for popping up on any video to ask completely unrelated questions. But I haven't been able to find a dependable answer to this one. Could you please let me know how much the moisture meter should read when you say that a plant, such as a Philodendron, should dry out completely before being watered?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

No worries. 1 or 2 is what I aim for. If it’s 3 and I’m in the process of watering I would probably just give it a top up to save me going back in a couple of days

[@Shreeladebi]

@@SheffieldMadePlants thank you.

[@conniekershaw4412]

​@@SheffieldMadePlants Thank you for this answer . I always wonderful when to water it. Do I need to wait for it to to 1? I do that do my succulents but I wasn't sure for the philademdrums , pathos, diffenbachias , sigoniums, etc. Should I water all those before they get to 1?

[@lifewithpugwinkle]

How do you know how much water to put in the saucer or covering pot? If you come back in an hour and all the water is gone should the top of the plant be wet if it has received enough water? If it's still dry do we add more water to the saucer?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I aim for about a third of the vol of the pot. If it’s gone in an hour I’d give a bit more. I check the next day and discard excess

[@lifewithpugwinkle]

@@SheffieldMadePlantsgreat thanks! I just started buying plants and I'm 65 years old. I usually kill all my plants so don't bother with them but I'm obsessed right now with all the different plants available. I am finding your channel to be a wealth of information. Thanks so much for making all these videos. They are so helpful.

[@irenagrzentic8425]

Is it OK to bottom water Calatheas?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Absolutely. All plants are good for bottom watering

[@Tony-ij9zx]

Just recently found your channel. Question, what is the name of the last plant you watered. That is a beaut plant with all its colors.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Begonia Rex?

[@Tony-ij9zx]

Thank you so much.. lov your channel.

[@mokuho]

does the moisture meter not damage the roots of the plant?😮

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Nope they’re not that precious

[@barbaraowens2299]

Can I bottom water with pumice in my soil mix? Thanks!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yes, absolutely

[@barbaraowens2299]

@@SheffieldMadePlants Thanks for such a quick response! I know the terra cotta pots with the one hole loved bottom watering. My pots with the pumice never did get moist on top. The pots with perlite did. The pots with the pumice were heavier so I didn't need to use my moisturize gage. I'm excited! I've lost a couple plants to root rot. Plus the freaking fungus gnat issue I have.

[@renae5793]

Is this method ok to use with terra cotta pots and saucers?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yep 👍

[@renae5793]

@@SheffieldMadePlants thanks dude!

[@daym8]

Does it make sense to water large pots with this method? Sir. Just to avail of those great benifits to bottom watering or will it be a waste of time (for a pot size of about 20 inches.)

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You can do it for large pots no problem

[@daym8]

That's absolutely fab. Thank you for your time despite the busy times to reply to me Sir. It is much appreciated!

[@conniekershaw4412]

How far downdo you stick the meter?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Near the bottom of the pot

[@Sektor1]

I will start using this method but something that I think should be addressed is that I don't see how this method can be applied, for example, if you have plants in composts which are not the regulat "dirt" kind, meaning, orchids, for example, they are usually maintained in chunky soils which will most certainly not be able to properly soak water the day dirt-based do.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yes it won’t work well for that specific plant.

[@michaeleenchalut1269]

What water meter do you recommend?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

It’s in my Amazon stores linked in the description

[@gushanana]

Can you bottom water with terracotta pots?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yep

[@gushanana]

Thank you for the reply!

[@gushanana]

@@SheffieldMadePlants If I have a terracotta saucer, do I need to put a plastic saucer under the terracotta or replace the terracotta saucer with a plastic one during watering? [my thought is the saucer will also soak up water and wet the table/floor underneath?]

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@gushanana I’ve got mats for underneath

[@HasanBabasi]

can you bottom water fabric pots?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

If they’re housed in something I don’t see why not

[@nikkyp5181]

Are ZZ they pants okay to bottom-water?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yep fine

[@letshaveago2201]

i bottom water but i use old water from my fish tank. im not sure its a good idea?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Hmm not sure about that. I don't have a fish tank. I presume there are some nutrients in the water?

[@letshaveago2201]

@@SheffieldMadePlants yeah there are some but i do know in hydroponic systems fish are used to add nutrients.

[@cindywannamaker5299]

Do you also fertilizer when you bottom water?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yep

[@cindywannamaker5299]

@SheffieldMadePlants do you flush the soil occasionally? I haven't but I heard you should

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@cindywannamaker5299 yes you can do every couple of months

[@vijayaragavan440891]

so after 1 hr of bottom watering- it read Moist or wet? You dint show that.. would have been very useful. Anyways great technique and demonstration. thanks!

[@keriwallace2022]

What about hanging plants?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I guess it depends if they have an outer pot you can fill?

[@cherylbeswick7327]

​​@@SheffieldMadePlantsI have all my hanging plants in their nursery pots and in a plastic decorative pot so bottom watering is still possible

[@Nini4180]

How long do I leave my houseplant in the water? How much water do I pour into the pot? After how long do I pour of the excess water?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Pour a third of the vol of pot and leave it till the next day. If anything remains then discard

[@jasonchicago4026]

Hi. How are you doing? I have a question I hope you'll be able to answer. How would you go about watering larger plants than the examples in your video? For example 10 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, etc. You get the idea. Thank you

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Hi. I pretty much bottom water all my plants, even my larger ones. They’re all in a container so it’s easy to just add water to the bottom and they’re doing fine.

[@conniekershaw4412]

​@@SheffieldMadePlants I get adding the water is easy but how do you discard the excess water? I have a 4 foot diffenbachia that I can't pick up and dump out! Any suggestions?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@conniekershaw4412 a Turkey baster!

[@mokuho]

Do you leave the plants in water for 1 hour?😢

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Even the next day and then discard

[@mokuho]

I left my plant for 1 hour in water and the earth did not get wet! Could it be because the earth is very loose?😢

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Try a bit longer

[@a0b9180]

Isn't it better to place all the plants in a sink, fill it a centimeter or two, let the soil pull up water and after an hour place the pots back into their decorative pots. This will save time compared to (1) first putting water in each, and (2) then emptying the extra water.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

That’ll be slower for me. Moving all my plants to the sink and waiting an hour or so. I rarely discard the water because they plant is thirsty and drinks it all up