need a organic weting agent?

[Maina]

Last year when I tryed watering my plants the water just ran right of the soil that was in the grow bags Killed me thanks for the help

 

[grapeman]

I stopped looking for one. When i need to spray something important, I just use a proper Ag spreader.

 

[big_daddy]

Last year when I tryed watering my plants the water just ran right of the soil that was in the grow bags Killed me thanks for the help

Look into yucca extract as an organic wetting agent. Here is one that works quite well. While you're at their site, look at their "Healthy Soil Recipe". Haven't tried it myself, but it looks quite interesting.

HTH

b_d

 

[JackTheGrower]

Lets see.. I remember some old gardeners suggesting liquid soap could be used but just where that is on the organic scale is questionable.

Has anyone here worked with this problem?

I see with peat mixes that water will run off when it's crusty dry.

So if I had that I might use a pump sprayer to wet the surface and then water after the surface has absorbed moisture.
So a find spray saves water and wets the surface then it's easier to make every cup of water count.

But if that soap is not the anti-bacterial kind and as natural as we can get well that might work.

Any suggestions friends? I haven't used this home remedy for 20 years.

I might consider forming a round mound around the plant so I fill that "bowl" up with water and it can soak in and open up the soil for more water.

Also a light manual breaking of the soil with the finger while I worked in the top dressing materials would help.

mostly it just takes a little extra time.

 

[Zendo]

Look into yucca extract as an organic wetting agent. Here is one that works quite well. While you're at their site, look at their "Healthy Soil Recipe". Haven't tried it myself, but it looks quite interesting.

HTH

b_d

 

[Maina]

Look into yucca extract as an organic wetting agent. Here is one that works quite well. While you're at their site, look at their "Healthy Soil Recipe". Haven't tried it myself, but it looks quite interesting.

HTH

b_d

Thanks my friend

 

[guest2012y]

Couple drops of ol' Dr. Bronner's works well as a surfactant.

 

[Dignan]

I use Hulmes Soluble Yucca but have also used a touch of biodegradable laundry detergent in a pinch.

 

[U4EA]

Coco-wet.

 

[Dignan]

Coco-wet.

Just so people know, that's coconut oil extract ^^.

 

[Maina]

would mineral oil work for soil?

 

[intotheunknown]

the trick is to go slow, and small amounts at first. get the first amount you pour into it to soak in, pouring around the base, (in small amounts). once it gets soaked in, the water will kinda cling and soak in much better.

 

[stonedar]

every week or so take a fork and cultivate the top layer of soil, I am not sure if it's the increased surface area of the soil with all the scratches in it or what but I do know it works. slowly pour some water in to get the top layer wet, then in 20 minutes finish watering. this also lessens runoff.

 

[h.h.]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saponin
I have joshua tree on the property I use to make a tea. It's in the yucca family. Basically any plant where the sap is foamy like soap or some soaps. Aloe vera may work as well.

 

[Brother Bear]

every week or so take a fork and cultivate the top layer of soil, I am not sure if it's the increased surface area of the soil with all the scratches in it or what but I do know it works. slowly pour some water in to get the top layer wet, then in 20 minutes finish watering. this also lessens runoff.

i also keep a fork in the room for just the same thing
water about half the amount needed for all, smoke a bowl or two, then water again. have never used a wetting agent, sure would come in handy when i forget to till the back ones, and things get real dry.