Citrus Growers Forum Index Citrus Growers Forum

This is the read-only version of the Citrus Growers Forum.

Breaking news: the Citrus Growers Forum is reborn from its ashes!

Citrus Growers v2.0

Watering question when using CHC substrate

 
Citrus Growers Forum Index du Forum -> Container citrus
Author Message
shebang



Joined: 29 Nov 2009
Posts: 5
Location: Austria/DL

Posted: Wed 12 May, 2010 5:39 pm

Hi all,
For quite some time, I've been a silent reader here - now it's time for me to post my first questions.
I have had some container citrus for several years now, and I'm still trying to figure out the best substrate for them as nothing I've used so far has really satisfied me. As several posts here on CHC made me curious, I'm giving this a shot now. I find the texture and handling of the substrate very positive, and I hope that the plants are doing well in it - if only half of what I've read so far holds true for me also, I should be thrilled Smile
The only thing that I do not like about it is the fact that chips tend to swim up when I water the pots, and not all the water drains right away.
How do the experts here handle this? Do you cover with a thin layer of stones, or do you maybe not water from the top?
Thanks in advance for some answers.
Cheers,
christian.

[edit: corrected subject]
Back to top
mgk65
Citruholic
Citruholic


Joined: 08 Feb 2010
Posts: 84
Location: WV (Zone 6)

Posted: Wed 12 May, 2010 6:42 pm

I'm also using the CHC/Sphagnum moss mix and I have the trees in SmartPots, which have a lot of openings to the sides and bottom.

When I water, the water will begin coming out the bottom in 15-30 seconds and does not have an opportunity to pool.

What kind of pot is your container? It sounds like there may not be enough drainage holes or the holes are clogged.
Back to top
Millet
Citruholic
Citruholic


Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 6656
Location: Colorado

Posted: Wed 12 May, 2010 8:37 pm

I have 80+ trees growing in CHC/peat, plus a few in 100 percent CHC. I have never seen the chips swim up in the container, never once. As with watering any container, there are two methods of watering CHC blends. One method is to soak the tree in a larger container, and second, simply apply the irrigation water over the surface of the chips. If your chips are swimming (floating), then you must be keeping them much too dry. A coconut chip will absorb up to 7-1/2 times its weight in water. The reason for adding a filler, such as peat moss, is to slow down the water's pass through, plus giving the small root surfaces better contact with the medium. - Millet (978-)
Back to top
Citrus Growers Forum Index du Forum -> Container citrus
Page 1 of 1
Informations
Qui est en ligne ? Our users have posted a total of 66068 messages
We have 3235 registered members on this websites
Most users ever online was 70 on Tue 30 Oct, 2012 10:12 am

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group