Here's what to do when potted plant soil dries out (2024)
Q: During this wet weatherI had plants sitting on my porch that I let dry out, forgetting that they were not getting water like the rest of my yard. When I go to water the pot, the water just runs out but does not get the soil very wet. Is there an easy way to get the soil wet again? Should I use a soil wetting agent?
A: This is a common problem with potting soils when they dry out because most of them contain peat moss. This is an important ingredient because it decomposes slowly, is lightweight and retains water/is hydrophilic.
However, when peat moss dries out it’s very difficult to re-wet. When this happens, we call the soil hydrophobic, meaning it repels water.
It’s easy to spot a hydrophobic soil: The water drains out the bottom of a pot quickly but doesn’t wet the soil. This is because the water runs between the side of the pot and the hydrophobic soil. This results in only a small portion of the soil becoming wet, leaving the rest of the soil and the roots dry, leading to the plant wilting or dying from lack of water.
Here are a fewwatering techniques for hydrophobic soil:
If you can lift the pot, submerge the whole pot in a bucket of water. Initially there may be so much air in the soil that the pot floats and you will need to hold it down. Air bubbles will form as air escapes from the soil and is displaced by water. Once the bubbling stops, remove the pot from the bucket of water.
Set the pot in a shallow container of water, allowing the soil to absorb the water slowly. It may take an hour or more to thoroughly re-wet the soil. Be careful not to leave pots soaking in standing water for more than a couple of hours.
For large containers that can’t be lifted easily, place a hose in the pot with just a trickle of water. This allows the water to enter the soil slowly enough it has time to be absorbed instead of running off.
During the summer, hard-packed clay soils, soils that were burned and some crusted garden soils can resist wetting, allowing water run-off instead of absorbing it. To re-wet, repeatedly sprinkle the surface lightly, making sure there’s no run-off. Eventually the soil will become moist enough to break up. You may also need to break up the surface of the soil if it’s hydrophobic due to exposure to fire.
The application of mulch, such as wood chips, and/or compost to the soil surface can help hold moisture in the soil and prevent these dry soil conditions from occurring. Organic matter in the soil helps to soak up and hold moisture. It’s also critical for micro-organisms.
If you decide to use wetting agents or soil surfactants you can purchase them pre-made or make your own using a liquid dish soap. But soil surfactants or wetting agents are not a long-term solution. They’ll need to be reapplied and are harmful to the microorganisms in the soil.
The Shasta Master Gardeners Program can be reached by phone at 242-2219 or email mastergardener@shastacollege.edu. The gardener office is staffed by volunteers trained by the University of California to answer gardeners' questions using information based on scientific research.
The best technique to force the soil to rehydrate is watering from the bottom. For a smaller plant, you can do that in the sink. For a tree, you can place the pot into a tub or bucket of tepid water and allow the water to be absorbed up through the drain hole.
The best technique to force the soil to rehydrate is watering from the bottom. For a smaller plant, you can do that in the sink. For a tree, you can place the pot into a tub or bucket of tepid water and allow the water to be absorbed up through the drain hole.
Yes, dried out potting soil can still be good. If the soil has dried out, it can be rehydrated by adding water. However, it's important to check for other signs that the soil might have gone bad, such as a sour smell or the presence of mold.
Submerge the whole pot in a bucket of water. This is drastic but fast. Initially there will be so much air in the root ball that the pot will float. When holding it under water, you will see the air bubbles escaping as the air is displaced by water.
Simply add organic debris to the soil surface and let your “underground herd” break it down. As it does, it will improve your soil's texture and make nutrients available to your plants.
As old soil might be deficient in plant nutrients, you need to replenish it. Here are some ways you can add nutrients and organic matter to soil: Add a handful of a slow release fertilizer like manure. Mix in one part compost for every three or four parts of the old potting mix.
Dry soil can be easily improved by adding organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or garden compost. This will improve the soil structure and will help to retain moisture.
Covering soil with plants is the best way to jazz it up and bring it back to life. Honour your tired soil by sowing with nourishing greencrops or light feeding rootcrops or seasonally apt legumes like peas, broadbeans or beans. You could, of course, do a mix of all three.
Most plants benefit from drying out completely between waterings; some moisture-loving plants like ferns can be watered again when the soil is mostly dry.
For most tropical houseplants, if the soil is dry and due for its next watering, go ahead and water it thoroughly and let it drain completely before you begin to repot. If the soil is already wet, you can skip this step.
Fill the top of your containers with mulch( rocks or bark), this will help prevent the plant from drying out as well as stop, water stealing, weeds from growing.
If the soil is dry, give a good soaking water around its root zone area. Shallow containers and 6” deep raised beds may require twice a day watering. Water gently around the base of the plants and avoid splashing on its leaves. Morning hours are good for watering plants.
Last year's potting soil may look ready to re-use, but odds are much of the nutritional value leached away on its first go around. Replenish lost nutrients by adding slow-release fertilizers, vermiculite or compost.
Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603
Phone: +2366831109631
Job: Sales Producer
Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy
Introduction: My name is Laurine Ryan, I am a adorable, fair, graceful, spotless, gorgeous, homely, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
