AusBonsai

So I've been worried about over / underwatering so i got these swewers from Coles for $3 theres 50 of them and nice and long for bigger pots or easy enough to cut down for smaller pots

Perfect for a noobie like me i feel so much better now being able to just pull it out and check the moisture level

And thats why i shop at Coles lol

Hi Wal,
It can be confusing this way. Even thought he stick may be damp, the plant might not be getting the optimum watering.
Here is a good way to learn how to water. First water the plant very well then put it aside and don't water it again until it either wilts (braod leaf) or starts to fade in colour a bit (loses it's gloss - conifers) From there you can judge the correct interval between waterings. You will then water before the above symptoms appear. Easy! After a while it becomes automatic.

treeman wrote:Hi Wal,
It can be confusing this way. Even thought he stick may be damp, the plant might not be getting the optimum watering.
Here is a good way to learn how to water. First water the plant very well then put it aside and don't water it again until it either wilts (braod leaf) or starts to fade in colour a bit (loses it's gloss - conifers) From there you can judge the correct interval between waterings. You will then water before the above symptoms appear. Easy! After a while it becomes automatic.

Hmm thanks mate i will try that

Regards
Wal

I do this and automatically scan all my trees without thinking about it. After a while you can spot them from a mile away. I haven't noticed conifers changing much I will have to keep a better eye on them to see if I can spot a change in colour.
Simply picking up smaller pots and judging the weight is another good way to tell if plants need watered.
But the best way is the get the soil mix right and just water every day without fear of overwatering.

Paulneill wrote:I do this and automatically scan all my trees without thinking about it. After a while you can spot them from a mile away. I haven't noticed conifers changing much I will have to keep a better eye on them to see if I can spot a change in colour.
Simply picking up smaller pots and judging the weight is another good way to tell if plants need watered.
But the best way is the get the soil mix right and just water every day without fear of overwatering.

I agree a good mix is best

Regards
Wal

Automatic for me now too.

But if I'm really not sure, I'll poke my fingers into the soil or have a little dig around.

Yep Jarred that's the ten digit moisture meter is the way to go and the instruction are soooo easy
Cheers rodm

Out of interest, does anyone use the digital moisture readers?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Wal, some good advice in the previous posts and yes getting to know your trees requirements takes time, one tool that has helped me in the past is this little meter from the big green shed about $15 and quite accurate cheers Peter