Watering Rootmaker Trees

[KSQ2]

I just put persimmon and chestnut seedlings into 1 gallon rootmakers. I’m having a tough time getting water to the bottom of the pots. Would it be kosher to just pick them up and dunk them about 3/4 the way up the side of the pots?

 

[catscratch]

Root makers are tough to water! Multiple times a day, or soaking from the bottom up. The holes on the side dry the soil up much quicker than traditional pots.

 

[yoderjac]

I just put persimmon and chestnut seedlings into 1 gallon rootmakers. I’m having a tough time getting water to the bottom of the pots. Would it be kosher to just pick them up and dunk them about 3/4 the way up the side of the pots?

Yes, dunking them is fine. I used to use large tubs to soak 3 gal RMs. I would not soak 18s.

Also, keep in mind, if you are using the right kind of chunky mix it should have lots of voids in it. When you first transplant, water should run through it like a sieve. As the roots continue branching they fill those voids making them harder to top water. When they become difficult to water and you need to dunk them, you are likely better off transplanting to the next larger container if possible.

One last caution. If you have any kind of disease with any of the trees, dunking them in the same tub of water can transmit the disease depending on what it is. I have not had that happen, but it can.

Since you said you just did the transplant, I would reconsider the mix you are using. I like to add pine bark nuggets to promix to make it even chunkier. They should not be hard to water when first transplanted.

 

[KSQ2]

Yes, dunking them is fine. I used to use large tubs to soak 3 gal RMs. I would not soak 18s.

Also, keep in mind, if you are using the right kind of chunky mix it should have lots of voids in it. When you first transplant, water should run through it like a sieve. As the roots continue branching they fill those voids making them harder to top water. When they become difficult to water and you need to dunk them, you are likely better off transplanting to the next larger container if possible.

One last caution. If you have any kind of disease with any of the trees, dunking them in the same tub of water can transmit the disease depending on what it is. I have not had that happen, but it can.

Since you said you just did the transplant, I would reconsider the mix you are using. I like to add pine bark nuggets to promix to make it even chunkier. They should not be hard to water when first transplanted.

I used the nuggets along with the promix.

 

[yoderjac]

I used the nuggets along with the promix.

Humm... I've never found them hard to water when first transplanted to 1 gals. Maybe I was using more nuggets.

 

[KSQ2]

Humm... I've never found them hard to water when first transplanted to 1 gals. Maybe I was using more nuggets.

I think it has more to do with peace of mind. Especially since I just got them in the pots and wanted to make sure all the roots got moisture.

 

[yoderjac]

I think it has more to do with peace of mind. Especially since I just got them in the pots and wanted to make sure all the roots got moisture.

My watering technique is to totally saturate them. For top watering, just keep adding water until it runs out of the lowest holes. I then don't water them again until they are dry. I water by weight. After transplanting, before watering, I pick up the 1 gal. That weight is the gas gauge on empty. After soaking them, I pick it up again. That weight is the gas gauge on full. I like to water at about 1/4 tank. If the leaves begin to droop you waited to long, water immediately. if they stand back up, they will be ok. Chestnuts don't like wet feet. The saturate and let dry out technique worked well for me.

 

[RGrizzzz]

I've only had issues watering potted trees, including the rootmakers, if the potting soil gets really dry. It seemed worse with generic Promix vs the Lambert LM-16 I'm using now. I like to try to make sure the mix is saturated when I start, as it helps keeping it damp.