Why water runs straight through your pots and how to fix it
In short: When soil becomes hydrophobic, water bypasses the roots entirely. This video demonstrates a simple dunking technique using organic wetting agents and fish emulsion to restore moisture retention and reinvigorate your growing medium.
Hydrophobia can occur in various mediums, from coastal and sandy soils to aged potting mixes. This phenomenon causes water to run down the sides of the container and out the bottom without being absorbed.
To resolve this, you can create a solution by combining one cap of an organic wetting agent with one cap of liquid fish emulsion in a large bucket of water. By submerging the pot for approximately 30 seconds and allowing air bubbles to escape, you can rehydrate the soil and provide a nutrient boost to the plant.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to fix hydrophobic or water repellent soils with organic wetting agents
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