big drink of water vs. misting

Rÿcher · Post by **Rÿcher** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:53 pm

I've been giving my babies a good misting every morning but this morning I gave them a big drink of water thinking they haven't had anything to drink on about three weeks. Is that okay or should I have waited?

Anyone offer any watering suggestions for a mixed Burpee bag?

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:37 pm

Are they covered? I havent watered my covered seedlings in 3 months. uncovered plants get misted everyday or two.
Probably ferocactus and big columners? I think they should be ok to water normaly as opposed to misting as long as they arent swimming.

Rÿcher · Post by **Rÿcher** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:35 pm

covered? No, not anymore. They were when I planted the seeds but when they sprouted, I took the plastic off.

and I don't even know what species the cacti are in the little garden I started.

CoffeeAddict · Post by **CoffeeAddict** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 7:20 pm

What do you guys mean misting? You guys never told me to mist my plants in between waterings. Is this accurate? AM I supposed to be misting them every other day now?

Loph · Post by **Loph** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 7:57 pm

they are talking about seedlings

dont go repotting into orchid hangers just yet

iann · Post by **iann** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:27 pm

Everyone talks about misting, it is the mantra for (most) mesembs. I don't "mist" anything. I spray to the point that quite a bit of water runs off the plant, or I splash some water onto the plants or the soil using my preferred carbonated beverage container

I believe that the experts mean the same thing when they talk about misting, and not just a mist which would dampen the plants but not to the point of runoff.

This is different from traditional watering for adult cacti which would be to pour the water on until it starts to run out the bottom. Cactus seedlings and many mesembs prefer to be constantly slightly moist, not drowned and then left dry for weeks. This can be achieved in a number of ways, one of them is by "misting" regularly. I use what is probably a more free-draining soil than most people use for seed raising, but I keep the pots covered with plastic for as long as possible and I water them frequently when they come into the open.

Chichipe · Post by **Chichipe** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:16 pm

I have an existential doubt: the seedling concept can extends at what age?

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:54 pm

Thats an interesting rosette on that soda bottle iann, never seen one like that.

Rÿcher · Post by **Rÿcher** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:51 am

a full-on deluge of water will dislodge my seedlings (sprouts). I use a spray bottle to must the sand, soil and sprouts every morning to simulate the morning dew.

Post by **daiv** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:07 pm

Moved this to the seedling thread to avoid confusion.

mendel · Post by **mendel** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:21 pm

I bottom water my seedlings once they come out of the bags. I judge when to water by the weight of the pot. Only time I mist is when I settle the seeds into the pot, so they make good soil contact.