How Much Water Should I Give My Outdoor Plants

I have some plants growing in pots outside and I recently read on this site that after you water an outdoor plant, there shoud be a run off in the tray below the pot of 16 to 20%. Do you agree? That seems like too much watering to me. I keep watering a plant until the sightest bit of moisture appears in the tray below the pot, and then I stop. Can I get your opinion about this? I would very much appreciate it. Thanks.

I water until the pot is heavy, and wont take anymore water... Then water again when it is light..

So are you saying that when water starts coming out of the bottom of the pot, you stop watering?

Yep.. 20% run off is crazy if you ask me.

Thanks, man, I will continue to water my plants the same way as you. The guy that provided that information had over a thousand posts, which only goes to show that having all kinds of posts on this site doesn't necessarily make anybody an expert.

Some run off is good (salt build up from nutrients). I do 20%. Usually not the day after feed tho, because I don't wanna flush out all that goodness.

I try to give it 10% run off or less.

First one guy says 20% is crazy and then another says you do 20% except for the day after you feed your plants. Sounds contradictory to me. Just how often do you allow a 20% run off, Garden Boss.

My potted plants need water daily.
I feed them once a week.
therefore ONE day (after I feed) I don't give much water
Still confused?

Thus far I have watered and fertilized once a week, My formula has been 1 gallon of water for every 3 gallons of dirt. You want water to spread thru the dirt as even as possible that way you get healthy root growth, But you want the soil to dry so the roots get oxygen. You will learn pretty quick on how to read your plant it will tell you if its getting to much water or not enough. hope this info helps

I water my outdoor plants everyday too, and I'm not confused. I was just pointing out the difference in opinions. Three other people including myself have posted different opinions than yours on this particular subject, Garden Boss It certainly doesn't mean you're wrong. Like they say: there's more than one way to skin a cat. No offense meant to animal lovers. Good luck to you.

I know its hard starting out, not quite knowing the answers yet, and getting several different answers. Best way to learn is by trial and error. You will get figured out..

After a while, those bitches (plants) start screaming at you. Its hard not hear what they want.

Thanks for your help, bigboybuds. Have a good one. I know I will cause a bowl of maui wowie awaits me.

Starwalker said:

Thanks for your help, bigboybuds. Have a good one. I know I will cause a bowl of maui wowie awaits me.

Click to expand...

Maui wowie, good old school genetics. As for watering: as others have said, its good to get the plant medium to dry out some before watering so the roots dont rot and can breathe. However, dont let the medium get so dry its all a crusty brick because it will shrink, the water will go around the medium and out the bottom of the pot rather than soaking in. It basically makes it a big PITA to water. As for runoff, I water until the soil is saturated. There should be water coming out of the pot, but be more concerned that the medium is well watered (know the weight of a saturated pot). If you're outside, when it rains you may have 50% runoff, so dont worry so much about that. There's a shit ton of other stuff you can worry about

Some plants require more, some require less. Don't give the same amount to every plant, give them what they need individually. If you smoke with them and listen very closely they will tell you what they want.