I use both. I bottom water almost all my plants that are in soil. but I do top water them all once a month or so to flush them. Since I started bottom watering I have no gnats, which was my main goal in switching.
Another reason to not dump all at once when top-flowering, is that the water doesn't go down uniformly, but tends to make a few "rivers", leaving much of the soil still dry. If the soil drains very well (hope well, depends on the plant), I simply put the pot in a bigger container, and fill in the bigger container until the water level is clearly set. When I'm in a hurry, I do both.
Just started watching your videos and randomly picked this one to watch -- and you totally solved my mysterious plant becoming crunchy problem! Thank you!!
Hey Kat, loved the info keep it up. Especially the distilled water part is a new one for me. Would be great to see a video on that topic. Also please make a video on how to select pots if possible, including the legged vs the flat bottom ones. Benefits of terracotta and how to manage the mold on it, etc. Chao!
So helpful! I'll definitely try bottom watering more! Might also help with a plant I got second had which came with super compacted soil. Thank you so much!
Txs for the tips! I have clay (terracotta) pots with one draining hole at the bottom’s center. I had put a layer of pebbles (2 to 4 cm) before adding in soil when repotting. Is this compatible with bottom watering? I guess I’ll need to soak the pots deep in water so that it reaches to the roots?
I bring all of my plants (3 😅) to the shower, plug it and absolutely water board them until they are over flowing and then let them sit in the water for 15-20 minutes to make sure they’ve soaked up everything they need. I’ve seen and heard multiple examples of top watering just flowing the way of least resistance through the soil (gravity) and it doesn’t get all of the soil wet unless you basically try to drown your plant. Where as bottom watering you let the plant soak up the water it needs and it’ll stop once every bit of soil is saturated. So I do both just to be sure that it’s gotten as much water as it can possibly absorb and I’ve never had an issue. Since it is so wet as well when I’m done I’ll have a fan blowing on them for a few hours just to speed up the drying process so they are developing root rot even though they are in terracotta.
I definitely love bottom watering when I do it and I hate that I have run off problems with lots of my smaller plants from top watering but I just don’t have the space to do lots of bottom watering which is so annoying 😭😭 the cache pot is def a good solution since I already have those or just focusing on bottom watering for those little plants with a small saucer
I just moved a small plant in a bigger pot but since the dirt is new and fresh, do you recommend bottom watering it first? So it can soak up what it needs? I’ve tried water it on top, but the dirt won’t let it go down unless I poke a few holes lol I hope my question makes sense. Thanks for all the tips!
hi! i would say top watering is best for a freshly potted plant (in my opinion, at least). if the water isn't going through the soil smoothly, you may want to add more amendments like perlite or pumice to the soil. it sounds like the soil might be a little dense. hope this helps!
Cool! I have mostly small succulents in terracotta pots so i top water them the same way that you do ... and i do the same for my few house plants. ive bottom watered some house plants that were severely dehydrated but thats it
Things have been so hectic so I’ve missed a bunch of videos 😭 Fair warning, you might get a bunch of like/comment notifications from me in the next few days 😂
For top watering, how do you dump out the water trap for larger plants/trees? I just bought a bird of paradise and I'm trying to figure out how to water it well without having to pick it up and move it.
Are you sure it is mold? Because if you use tap water it could also mostly likely just be the mineral deposits leaching through. If it is mold, try wiping the outside with hydrogen peroxide and keeping in bright light.
Am I the only one that uses chopsticks to poke up into the soil from the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot? Or maybe I'm just a weirdo. lol! I do poke the top, but sometimes with new plants the soil is so compacted that I am afraid to damage the plant by poking too near the plant. I noticed the same thing with my peperomias when watering from the top! Unfortunately, I can't bottom water them at the moment since they are still in their original nursery pots with soil that seems to be a heavily peat-based mix; it retains way too much water. I learned that the hard way by killing my watermelon peperomia (which I did bottom water). Oops! 🤣
I too water my watermelon pepermonia but I’m always confused if I should let the soil be completely dry (crusty) before I water again or bottom water before that
Your baby isn't a distraction.He's beautiful.Happy growing and stay safe.
he’s a cutie 🐶 thanks so much, you too!
I use both. I bottom water almost all my plants that are in soil. but I do top water them all once a month or so to flush them. Since I started bottom watering I have no gnats, which was my main goal in switching.
that's a great point i didn't mention!! i totally agree with the fungus gnat thing!
Yes! That got rid of the problem for me too!
I learned about bottom watering recently but didn't know about that slower method of top watering! It makes so much sense.
You and your dog are sooooooo cute‼️‼️🥰
Thanks for the great information.
I have started using the bottom watering technique ❤
Another reason to not dump all at once when top-flowering, is that the water doesn't go down uniformly, but tends to make a few "rivers", leaving much of the soil still dry.
If the soil drains very well (hope well, depends on the plant), I simply put the pot in a bigger container, and fill in the bigger container until the water level is clearly set.
When I'm in a hurry, I do both.
Just started watching your videos and randomly picked this one to watch -- and you totally solved my mysterious plant becoming crunchy problem! Thank you!!
Hey Kat, loved the info keep it up. Especially the distilled water part is a new one for me. Would be great to see a video on that topic. Also please make a video on how to select pots if possible, including the legged vs the flat bottom ones. Benefits of terracotta and how to manage the mold on it, etc. Chao!
So helpful! I'll definitely try bottom watering more! Might also help with a plant I got second had which came with super compacted soil. Thank you so much!
happy to help! good luck :)
Txs for the tips! I have clay (terracotta) pots with one draining hole at the bottom’s center. I had put a layer of pebbles (2 to 4 cm) before adding in soil when repotting. Is this compatible with bottom watering? I guess I’ll need to soak the pots deep in water so that it reaches to the roots?
I bring all of my plants (3 😅) to the shower, plug it and absolutely water board them until they are over flowing and then let them sit in the water for 15-20 minutes to make sure they’ve soaked up everything they need. I’ve seen and heard multiple examples of top watering just flowing the way of least resistance through the soil (gravity) and it doesn’t get all of the soil wet unless you basically try to drown your plant. Where as bottom watering you let the plant soak up the water it needs and it’ll stop once every bit of soil is saturated. So I do both just to be sure that it’s gotten as much water as it can possibly absorb and I’ve never had an issue. Since it is so wet as well when I’m done I’ll have a fan blowing on them for a few hours just to speed up the drying process so they are developing root rot even though they are in terracotta.
Awesome. That was very helpful. I’m going to try it esp with my very small pots. Water was definitely going overboard every time I watered.
This video helped out a lot! Thank you
I definitely love bottom watering when I do it and I hate that I have run off problems with lots of my smaller plants from top watering but I just don’t have the space to do lots of bottom watering which is so annoying 😭😭 the cache pot is def a good solution since I already have those or just focusing on bottom watering for those little plants with a small saucer
small pots will be the death of me 😭but i think the saucer might help if you love to bottom water!
I just love seeing your flat. It really gives me the feeling of visiting a friend ❤️
how sweet! i love that! ❤️
UGH my fav shirt
Off topic but your dog is the cutest! Is that a Staffie? 🥰
He’s a pit bull/ lab mix!
Great information that I didn't know. Meek is so cute!
he’s an angel 💖
How did you know I needed clarification on this?!? Mind reader 🧠
omg i am so glad!! hope it was helpful ☺️
I needed this!!! I’m new to plants and I already killed 2 pothos within 2 weeks 😩 I think how I was watering them is one reason
pothos are a lot easier to kill than people make it sound! third times the charm 😌
I definitely use both kinds of watering! Good stuff. ☺️
Bahaha I love the infomercial style edit for top watering tiny plants 🤣👏🏼
HAHA i couldn’t help myself
I just moved a small plant in a bigger pot but since the dirt is new and fresh, do you recommend bottom watering it first? So it can soak up what it needs? I’ve tried water it on top, but the dirt won’t let it go down unless I poke a few holes lol I hope my question makes sense. Thanks for all the tips!
hi! i would say top watering is best for a freshly potted plant (in my opinion, at least). if the water isn't going through the soil smoothly, you may want to add more amendments like perlite or pumice to the soil. it sounds like the soil might be a little dense. hope this helps!
Cool! I have mostly small succulents in terracotta pots so i top water them the same way that you do ... and i do the same for my few house plants. ive bottom watered some house plants that were severely dehydrated but thats it
sounds perfect! 😌
Very informative information! Thank you!
no problem! 🌿
Things have been so hectic so I’ve missed a bunch of videos 😭
Fair warning, you might get a bunch of like/comment notifications from me in the next few days 😂
girl i appreciate you coming here and finding time to support me!! 🥺 💖
@@GoodandPlanty of course!!! 🥺❤️
Omg the peperomia you showed is so cool! Give me!!!
i love that plant so much! it’s a peperomia pink lady :)
What about a string of hearts? Would you top water?
I love this video! very straightforward and info filled. would you recommend bottom watering plants with thick foliage?
i don't base over/under watering on foliage type that much. just if it's fuzzy!
@@GoodandPlanty ohh ok thank you!
For top watering, how do you dump out the water trap for larger plants/trees? I just bought a bird of paradise and I'm trying to figure out how to water it well without having to pick it up and move it.
turkey baster :)
Should I worry about mold on my terra cotta pots 😰
I clean them but it always comes back!
Are you sure it is mold? Because if you use tap water it could also mostly likely just be the mineral deposits leaching through. If it is mold, try wiping the outside with hydrogen peroxide and keeping in bright light.
Peperomia water is bottom or top?😢
When i water my indoor pothos it stays wet and gets fungus etc. What if I just water a plant a little bit?
New sub. Very helpful
Your dog is so beautiful & sweet.
I left my pepperomia on water for 1 hour and the soil dont moist...😔
I SOAK my plants 😫 💀 ty sis
Good content, very useful but your dog, he is precious. That face❤️❤️😍
he really is 😭i can never say no to a little cameo lol
wait the albo on the moss pole?!?!?! wow
had to show off 💅
15 or 30 minutes with bottom watering
I use my bathtub to bottom water 😅
I always thought bottom watering was when I give my boyfriend Greg a water bottle after our special afternoons.
i cackled
A mess, SMH…LMFAOOOOO 💀😂😂😂😂
If I watered my plants every week they would all rot and die. Only every Two to three weeks.
Lol butt chugging
😭😭😭
Am I the only one that uses chopsticks to poke up into the soil from the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot? Or maybe I'm just a weirdo. lol! I do poke the top, but sometimes with new plants the soil is so compacted that I am afraid to damage the plant by poking too near the plant.
I noticed the same thing with my peperomias when watering from the top! Unfortunately, I can't bottom water them at the moment since they are still in their original nursery pots with soil that seems to be a heavily peat-based mix; it retains way too much water. I learned that the hard way by killing my watermelon peperomia (which I did bottom water). Oops! 🤣
i have actually done that too! good to know i’m not alone on that AND the peperomias lol
I too water my watermelon pepermonia but I’m always confused if I should let the soil be completely dry (crusty) before I water again or bottom water before that
MUAHAHA FIRST
i love you adapting to youtube cultûre
Honestly I prefer bottom watering and give all my plants filtered water but I definitely top water if I see pests 😖
YUP! gotta keep those spider mites away lol
Oooh no oooo not that valley girl talk 😮