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Watering potted on veg

Shoxt3rShoxt3r Posts: 196
in Fruit & veg
Hi all,

To allow my cucumber and bean plants to grow a little more before planting out I've repotted them into large containers. However, I'm unsure how to water them effectively so that I can continue to water the roots from below while they are sat in the raised bed. As you can see the soil in the pots is very dry despite me watering the surrounding soil.

Any tips please? Thank you in advance!


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Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    If they are in the position you intend to plant them, make a hole for each pot, place the pots in there ( half way down should do it ) and push the soil around them.  Then water the pots as needed, check the pots regularly to see whether the roots are protruding strongly from the pot base and at that point, plant them out.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm not sure why you wouldn't just water them as normal - ie in the pots themselves. If you're having difficulty keeping them moist enough, it might be better to sit them on trays of some kind.
    That's what I do with all my small plants when they're just being hardened off or are in the gr'house, or inside the house   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Shoxt3rShoxt3r Posts: 196
    philippasmith2 said:
    If they are in the position you intend to plant them, make a hole for each pot, place the pots in there ( half way down should do it ) and push the soil around them.  Then water the pots as needed, check the pots regularly to see whether the roots are protruding strongly from the pot base and at that point, plant them out.
    Good tip, thank you. I presume I'd just dig the plastic pot out again and replant as you suggest? I have seen pots where they disintegrate which is perhaps more eco but isn't great for the wallet unfortunately, at least in my opinion.

    Fairygirl said:
    I'm not sure why you wouldn't just water them as normal - ie in the pots themselves. If you're having difficulty keeping them moist enough, it might be better to sit them on trays of some kind.
    That's what I do with all my small plants when they're just being hardened off or are in the gr'house, or inside the house   :)
    Ah ok thank you - I was just concerned that the roots wouldn't get the water needed and therefore would encourage moss and the like to build up?
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Raised beds are notoriously difficult to keep moist, compared to open soil, so Fairygirl has the answer, i.e. stand the pots in trays.  I'd plant those beans out now if they were mine, suitably protected by slug pellets, but the sooner you get them out of the RBs the better?
  • Shoxt3rShoxt3r Posts: 196
    nick615 said:
    Raised beds are notoriously difficult to keep moist, compared to open soil, so Fairygirl has the answer, i.e. stand the pots in trays.  I'd plant those beans out now if they were mine, suitably protected by slug pellets, but the sooner you get them out of the RBs the better?
    Ok thank you. I've used the RBs for cucumbers before and they worked well but this is the first year for beans - would you recommend planting those out in open soil elsewhere in the garden? I have a spare tray so will use that - thanks!
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Shoxt3r said:
    philippasmith2 said:
    If they are in the position you intend to plant them, make a hole for each pot, place the pots in there ( half way down should do it ) and push the soil around them.  Then water the pots as needed, check the pots regularly to see whether the roots are protruding strongly from the pot base and at that point, plant them out.
    Good tip, thank you. I presume I'd just dig the plastic pot out again and replant as you suggest? I have seen pots where they disintegrate which is perhaps more eco but isn't great for the wallet unfortunately, at least in my opinion.

    Yes, sorry if I didn't make it clear - once the plants in the pots are making roots thru the pot base, make the hole a bit deeper, remove from the pot and drop the plants in.
    Just a word of warning tho - the top growth needs to be fairly robust too 
    All depends where you are and what your weather is like but from your pics, I'd be inclined to let them go on in their pots for now - particularly your Cukes.
    Good luck anyway :)
  • Shoxt3rShoxt3r Posts: 196
    philippasmith2 said:
    Shoxt3r said:
    philippasmith2 said:
    If they are in the position you intend to plant them, make a hole for each pot, place the pots in there ( half way down should do it ) and push the soil around them.  Then water the pots as needed, check the pots regularly to see whether the roots are protruding strongly from the pot base and at that point, plant them out.
    Good tip, thank you. I presume I'd just dig the plastic pot out again and replant as you suggest? I have seen pots where they disintegrate which is perhaps more eco but isn't great for the wallet unfortunately, at least in my opinion.

    Yes, sorry if I didn't make it clear - once the plants in the pots are making roots thru the pot base, make the hole a bit deeper, remove from the pot and drop the plants in.
    Just a word of warning tho - the top growth needs to be fairly robust too 
    All depends where you are and what your weather is like but from your pics, I'd be inclined to let them go on in their pots for now - particularly your Cukes.
    Good luck anyway :)
    Ok great thank you so much. Indeed - I was ideally looking for their secondary leaves to grow more before planting out properly.

    How deep should the plant roots be ideally? I've always opted to keep them at the same level as they were in the pots but is this maybe too shallow for them?
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Shoxt3r  Yes, dig a pit of some sort, if you can.  Line it with newspapers to help with water retention.  Fill with something moist, e.g. home compost, manure or even grass mowings.  Install something for the beans to grow up, maybe canes for a first attempt.  Plant your seedlings, surrounded by a dusting of slug repellent, and water well.  Come back if this is likely to be a regular annual exercise?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There wouldn't be a build up of moss if the site is right for the bed.  :)
    I don't grow either of those though, but I'd keep them in the pots for a little bit longer, until they've got proper leaves, then plant them or pot them on into bigger pots depending on your climate etc as @philippasmith2 and @nick615 describe.
    The beans will need good supports wherever you put them, and it's always better to do that sooner rather than later too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • mornigstar402-V--jqaTmornigstar402-V--jqaT Posts: 2
    nice veg
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