Hi everyone this is a re-upload (no audio problems!) | instagram.com/phytosexual

@AnywhereChrista

2 жыл бұрын

You're like an Ann Reardon of plants 🌱

@kaylaknoxxx4834

2 жыл бұрын

I missed you videos!

@Alwaysherethere

2 жыл бұрын

I miss him on utube

@gerriakagary

2 жыл бұрын

I thought I was having deja vu.

@jaimelynnwolfchild1892

2 жыл бұрын

Love ya, Nick! You are one of my favorite people. Keep being you, and doing what you do. Thank you for all the content you upload, and for the amazing knowledge you have. Thank you for making me smile and laugh as well.

I've tried both topping and bottoming, but mostly I prefer doing it in the shower.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Whatever you like.

@PlantDad215

2 жыл бұрын

LMAO

@heatheranddenerale

2 жыл бұрын

💀

@cayucosstorylady

2 жыл бұрын

Who am I to judge?

@Ricardo-fv2qi

2 жыл бұрын

The shower is a bit overrated but to each their own

To be fair, if you top water into a pot that has a dish, and you don't dump the excess water immediately, you are also bottom watering. Vers watering if you will.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

I'll make sure to evacuate the water immediately so I can keep my top water street cred.

@Alwaysherethere

2 жыл бұрын

I had fungus nats once. What a pain in the butt they are! I've often wondered if it would be a good thing or bad thing to put a string through a hole in the bottom of a pot to act like a wick watering .

@ld4028

2 жыл бұрын

I’d call that plant a switch… *snare roll*

@AbbiZika

2 жыл бұрын

@@Alwaysherethere I've seen some nurserys do this with plants like a polka dot plant and a peace lily that don't like to dry out. Never done this myself though so I'd be interested to find out. Also hate fungus gnats oh my god they're the worst! Sprinkling a bit of cinnamon on the soil gets rid of them fast

@lovableasshole

2 жыл бұрын

@@ld4028 in this case i think the term "rimshot" would be more appropriate.

Here is my super scientific method regarding bottom watering and top watering: I top water the ones I decide to take to the sink. I bottom water the ones I don't feel like moving. Nobel prize here I come.

As a scientist, it is so refreshing to see plant videos where the info is derived from primarily academic resources and scientific literature!! 👏 I literally cringe when watching tik tok and Instagram videos of plant care “advice” majority of the time 😬

@dahncarter4233

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed! And pronunciation-- thank you so much for taking the time to use the scientific names and pronouncing them! Very helpful 🎉

@sandy_carpetsthesecond5013

2 жыл бұрын

Uhh, Question. I have a Tradecantia albiflora Nanouk right next to the bulb of a filtered camera light- It's too dark or cold for me to put it anywhere in the house for now. I've literally only owned it for three days and it's the first plant I've owned as an adult. Do you think that'll be enough for it to stay alive and keep it's varigation until spring? It looks okay for now, if not a little damaged from shipping, but I don't know how long it takes for this species to start dying off from lack of adequate light. Oh. Also, one of the leaves has a horse shoe shaped stab hole through one of it's leaves towards the base of the leaf- It arrived like that and the leaf seems okay, for now. Is that gonna die off or is it gonna heal?

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, that's the only way to go!

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

All I can say is see what happens, also the leaf won't likely heal.

@sandy_carpetsthesecond5013

2 жыл бұрын

@@phytosexual Yeah, it turns out there was a second leaf with the same issue hidden underneath. Neither have died, but the leaves are kind've fragile and floppy, and I don't really want to get rid of them yet until I'm deeper into spring. In other news, It started showing it's colours, and I seem to have it in growing conditions because the baby leaf it came with has somehow grown noticably larger since last night. It was pretty much the same size until yesterday, and now it's suddenly growing the fastest I've ever seen anything grow. Oh, I also called it Plantonio. So yeah, It's pretty much my child- Now I just gotta figure out how adoption papers work.

Thank you for teaching us how to bottom 🙏🏽

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Anytime

@PlantDad215

2 жыл бұрын

I'm loling

Another thing I see everyone doing in those tiktoks is using the same bowl for multiple plants. Eggs and larvae can get transferred between pots that way, I've seen gnat larvae at the bottom of pots not just in the top inches. They do not drown (before someone says it), they can live for days in water. Soil mites also hang out at the bottom of pots so they are highly likely to spread between plants.

@kabookiearts6199

2 жыл бұрын

Hahahaha! Yes, I use to live in Arizona when I got into houseplants and I use to do this AND I use to reuse the water coming out 😳 in my defense...Arizona has super super hard water, so I had to use expensive ultra filtered water to water my plants and my husband was like what the hell, how much money are we spending on watering plants?? But now I know that this is a horrible idea and I cringe that I use to do it 😂

@NefariousSpineLizard

2 жыл бұрын

Then ya gotta stay on those systemic granules! I'd be worried about bacterial infections.

@emily2691

2 жыл бұрын

I was looking for this comment specifically! I used to reuse containers for multiple plants without cleaning them in-between but then I became privy to the information that you could be spreading pests and disease to a bunch of plants so now almost every plant i have has its own clear tray.

@rdred8693

2 жыл бұрын

@@kabookiearts6199 "so I had to use expensive ultra filtered water to water my plants and my husband was like what the hell, how much money are we spending on watering plants?" I am dying of laughter.

@o0mew0o

2 жыл бұрын

Learned this the hard way 😩

YES! I hate the claim that plants just absorb the water that they need….. like no, the dry ass soil just continues to absorb it until it is saturated just like a dry paper towel dipped into some water. And it does not really help with fungus gnats because if you have a drainage hole and there’s still residual moisture at the bottom, the gnats are just attracted to that area and still lay eggs and thrive 🙃

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info!

@julzgulz1992

2 жыл бұрын

I guess the gnats could do that? But I have to say that I had horrible gnats for a year and the only fix I found was bottom watering. Haven’t seen a gnat since. 🤷‍♀️

@mikekufner1192

2 жыл бұрын

So true! I thought putting some diatomaceous earth at the top often would help. The plague just moved to the bottom of the freaking pot! Mosquito bits was the only thing that helped me. The one thing I literally couldn't live without. Fungus gnats almost made me stop collecting plants lol. Its disgusting to see those things flying around at night while watching tv.

@you_gullible_fucc

Жыл бұрын

@M.C. their point was that it worked for them, no need to be so aggressive

Yes thank you! I’m not sure where the misinformation came from, that bottom watering means the plant only takes up what it needs. But yeah, no, the plant is an innocent bystander while that soil be sucking it all up. And if the water gets shut off in their upstairs apartment, fungus gnats (in my experience) just relocate to the downstairs apartment of your pot.

@ophilianecr

2 жыл бұрын

Honestly I found that bottom watering is best with succulents. They don't need to be kept moist like tropical plants and the porous soil helps them dry. More importantly, there's less opportunity for stem rot. The times I've been too lazy to bottom water succulents, I pay for it with stem rot in the middle of the stem, near the soil, regardless of how little water is poured.

@NefariousSpineLizard

2 жыл бұрын

@@ophilianecr I've found this can be an issue with how much potting medium vs added perlite etc you have. I literally just give my succulents a little boop of water and have rarely had stem rot. You may do better with pon :)

@ophilianecr

2 жыл бұрын

@@NefariousSpineLizard nope. I use a 4parts Bonsai Jack gritty mix for succulents with 1 part "succulent soil" and 1 part perlite. It's a VERY porous soil with just enough organic matter for nutrients, like in their natural environment. And i literally said the issue of stem rot happens regardless of how little water is poured on top. Doesn't happen when I bottom water, even if the water level is halfway up the pot. My guess is the top dressing holds the moisture in between the gaps and cause it to be too humid surrounding the stem. Because the l don't have a root rot issue ever thanks to the mix I use.

@rubies3130

2 жыл бұрын

Very true, I have many gnats in my downstairs pots.. Mosquito bits kills them

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the info, I don't think I linked any sources, but I heard that the fungus gnats only laid their young in the top portion of the soil. Good to hear your experience!

i'm a severe underwaterer and it makes my plants's soil hydrophobic very often. then only way i can manage to get water to the plant is bottom watering sometimes. i feel like whether or not you should bottom water your plant really just depends on the plant and the soil i've started using leca recently and i feel like it's helped me not underwater- i just make sure the water is always to a certain point in the pot and the plant does amazing

@FrogsForBreakfast

3 ай бұрын

That's why I do it too 😆 it's great for rehydrating hydrophobic soil.

I bottom-water, but that’s mostly because I’m a space cadet who zones out in the middle of things and I legitimately can’t tell you how many saucers I’ve turned into swimming pools. And, well, I can only cuss myself out while cleaning up Lake Bookshelf for the umpteenth time so many times before I change tactics 🤣 Thank you for debunking the junk “science”, though! I appreciate it!

@dressmaking

2 жыл бұрын

This is the same reason why I bottom water (I actually just soak the plants in a dishpan) too! Anytime I try to hotdog with a watering can I spill dirty water on the floor.

Just stumbled onto this channel and almost immediately subscribed. As a biologist, I'm so thankful that you take the time to explain the actual science behind what you are saying. Science + acid humor: perfect combination.

@phytosexual

11 ай бұрын

lmao 'acid humor'

dunking all your plants in one bucket of water and then watering more plants with whatever water is left in the bucket is a great way to spread pests from one plant to ALL your plants.

@harleenk9637

2 жыл бұрын

That's why systemic insecticide exists...

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Theres nothing I love more than using pesticides in my house, and creating pesticide resistant insects.

im kinda naughty and leave the plants that need watering in a big dish for like half the day 😬😬 i do check them along the way and so far it's been fine, been doing it for about 6 months, but damn I'mma keep an even closer eye after this lmao thanks again for another entertaining video, I always look forward to your uploads

@kelseycain3469

2 жыл бұрын

I put mine in the bathtub together for an unspecific amount of time.. too many babies.

@ilyxr

2 жыл бұрын

I mean, it's fine if your time between watering allows the soil sponge to slowly dry. I think people get into stem rot, fungus gnat issues and general mold when they go off of a calendar water date, and not stick their finger in to decide if the soil is wet. If your house gets colder, plant mechanisms slow...if you live in the north and you're in the long dark like I am (December, January), plants will not want the same amount of water they did in the summer. Be observant and water the way that works for you. A finger makes a fantastic soil moisture meter.

@Finchwing

2 жыл бұрын

@@ilyxr yea I definitely test the soil to see if it really needs watering!

@kelseycain3469

2 жыл бұрын

@@ilyxr I always finger test and only bathe the thirsty babes based on their own needs. But I'd be lying if I said I've never forgotten they were there for over an hour.

@yijihuang5237

2 жыл бұрын

I sometimes let my plants sit in water overnight and totally forgot about this till next morning

Since succulents don't need to be watered until after the soil has been dry for some time, it is often best to bottom water them. I see you don't really grow succulents, but keeping them constantly moist will usually kill them.

@FrogsForBreakfast

3 ай бұрын

I only keep succulents because I forget to water anything else for too long. I bottom water when the soil is so dry it becomes hydrophobic. Works great.

I love seeing the science! However, I switched to bottom watering and it’s seemed to have improved my own plant babies! I haven’t lost a plant since. And it completely cured my gnat issues that I had been battling for a year. I think there is something to the idea that it’s better for new plant parents. I was a chronic overwaterer before. 🤷‍♀️ It’s much easier to remember “10 mins” than how much to pour into a container. It also means you have to have a pot with drainage, which many new plant people don’t understand. I was the stubborn person who thought… “oh there are no holes. I’ll just lightly water this one.” And then it’s dead a week later. So I do think the advice holds for new people to plant care. 😊 More advanced owners can be more specialized in their care and watering.

@frenzy8539

Жыл бұрын

@M.C. so what you’re actually saying is that it is indeed a better option for about 95% of people … (when you’re a plant enthusiast like us it’s often hard to keep in mind that we are indeed not an average plant parent)

@metsl1870

Жыл бұрын

same here

I do find using a similar method to watering my orchids has worked out pretty well. I fill the container with water, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes to allow the water to penetrate the wood chips, and then take the orchid out of the cashpot to dump out the water. Kinda simulates the jungle deluge from the rain and then following humidity. I do it when the bottom of the pot is completely dry and roots desiccate slightly and look less green. As a result I generally only need to water once every two to three weeks. None of this ice cube every day BS.

@SergeeFly

2 жыл бұрын

I think it has more to do with the medium than the plant, bark (in the case of orchids) needs wayyy longer to actually soak up water. I do agree it is quite useful and time efficient to do it this way for bark planted plants tho 🤠

@lovableasshole

2 жыл бұрын

@@SergeeFly yup! Best used for mediums that are inherently hydrophobic. Bark has evolved to keep in/out water after all.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Oh well orchids don't count lol. I do that with my orchids in bark as well.

@txpepper

2 жыл бұрын

Ice has no business being a "watering" form for plants. Even in the wild, ice (in the form of hail) beats them to a pulp. 😆 Maybe if it's the ONLY source for moisture but even then...melt, baby, melt...first!

My foray into bottom watering was the end for my ruby cascade. Miss it so much, was easily my favorite out of good sized collection. Should have trusted my instincts and continued my normal routine with it.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

If it aint broke don't fix it.

My plants are often versatile. I will vary my practices often on my mood or how convenient it is at the time. Some plants usually get bottomed, while others, usually get topped. One of the reasons is that I might have a particular plant, planted near the rim of the pot, and top watering will just make the water roll off the media. Other plants, such as some succulents, have filled the pot and there is little to no room to do a thorough watering from the top. There are some where the water runs through very quickly, so I allow the plant to sit in the water, in its dish. That's a plant that takes it from the top and bottom. I see no difference in growth. I used to use organics and I had fungus gnats. I repotted every plant into a mix of perlite, coco coir, and sphagnum, the proportions dependent on the species needs. So, the lesson is that topping and bottoming are personal tastes, and no one should water shame anyone. Get to know your individual plant well, and in time, you will discover if it prefers topping, bottoming, or if it is into a combination.

To rehydrate hydrophobic peat just add a drop of dish soap (without bleach preferably) to your watering can and water..... I used to build media by the yards and we would spray the peat moss down with soapy water using dish soap because the bails were always to the point of being hydrophobic to prevent things like mold at the wholesale level. I worked in a propagation nursery for all types of plants. Now I work in a retail nursery. I would never tell my customers this I'd just sell them a pricey surfactant or tell them to water and then let the plant sit in the water til the peat saturates then dump the saucer out.

I place my plants in a shallow plastic bin, top water, let them sit in their puddle for a few minutes, then let them drain for a few minutes. My biggest problem is definitely underwatering and letting the soil get hydrophobic, then overcompensating and the dried out roots rot. I battle fungus gnats with mosquito bits.

@Tismesue

2 жыл бұрын

You also potentially have a big problem with spreading your fungus gnat larvae and eggs between plants all the time. They do sometimes lay their eggs at the bottom of pots and can easily be transferred that way. Soil mites often hang out at the bottom of pots so that's another one. I save all my plastic food containers and do them separately. 😊

@ateana_lenn

2 жыл бұрын

For the gnats, I got this sticky stick you plant in the soil or tape to the side of the pot. I doesn't get big insects like flies, buts it COMPLETELY eradicated my gnats problem in like three days. (It was on Amazon and called something like sticky insect traps, a yellow stick cut to look like a butterfly or flower)

I don't know what you're talking about. I like to grill in my closet in the dark with my golden pothos. It likes the carbon dioxide.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Thats a great idea. Make sure you disable those pesky smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They're buzzkills.

I do a combo of topping and bottoming - I first check to make sure the plant actually needs water and then I sit them in a dish with water. If they are extra dry or a particular species that like to be on the wetter side I'll topwater as well to make sure they are fully saturated. You just gotta listen to your plants and water accordingly - for sure not just stick any plant into a bowl of water and let them decide lmao

I do a variety of watering methods. My pitcher plants, prayer plants, spathiphllyum, large hoya, large monstera get terracotta stakes and always filled bottles. (The monstera and hoya are in a chunky bark soil and they never get soaking wet even with constant access to water.) I've got my rex begonias in a homemade wicking setup. I'll give most of my plants a quick drink in their saucers. For the plethora of petite pots with propagations, I'll bottom water those in assembly line fashion on my kitchen counter using timers so stuff is not sitting for a long time, drains fully, gets needed pruning, pest check, etc. The orchid gets fully submerged in water just below its crown, sits for 15 minutes, and then drained. Thanks for the reminder to correctly size your pots - I overcorrected my overwatering problem and put stuff in the chunky bark mix and now I'm needing to water more often.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

A variety of methods for a variety of plants. Great ideas!

@jennamalmquist

2 жыл бұрын

I agree that bark or chunky amendments will solve most overwatering problems (caused by either topping or bottoming lmao) just because there’s so much more air in the pot! not all plants love the chunk though so it depends

@cece_marie

2 жыл бұрын

@@jennamalmquist Most definitely! I add a bit of orchid bark to almost everything, the ratio just varies.

@ld4028

2 жыл бұрын

Obviously, bog plants are a different animal altogether 🙄

I always put my plants in a round cookie container and water from the top and let the water run through at least twice and then I just leave it for a while until I see that the plant has soaked up some of the water, then I empty out the rest and let it drain properly before I put the plant back in its place. Easy, no fuss! Edit: This is the method I use for DRY soil, 99% of my plants are plants that needs to dry between each watering!!

I love the impatient overflowing pour.

I love your channel. This video is fantastic for so many reasons. Information and banter.... love it

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Yay a new video! Early Christmas present. Thank you!

Your grill story reminded me of a babysitter I used to have. She made ice tea by melting ice cubes on the stove. As for bottom watering, I only do it if I'm being lazy or a plant's soil is hydrophobic. This doesn't happen often because I don't use peat in my soil mixtures though.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

what? lamo. It must be ice.

Your videos spark so much joy in my cold dead heart. I think it’s the science, but also the editing. 😂👌🏽❤️

This video is SO good. Thank you for citing real sources! ❤

I go with option #3, self watering pots with wicks and media made for self watering. I can go a month between adding water to some plants. I mainly do this with ferns, african violet, antheriums, syngoniums, banana, etc. Succulents are in normal pots and get top watered. Orchids are in bark and get soaked.

To each their own, but all I could think watching these was “This could all be very easily resolved by just using a moisture meter…”

“Unless this is some sort of role play website that has gone over my head.” Subscribed. Love it

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

they always do

Thank you for always using science to explain everything!!

Nicky trash talking bottoming, never thought we’d see it Stan our masc top Lord !

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

L M A O I wasn't trashing it I was trying to clarify all the myths!

@SergeeFly

2 жыл бұрын

@@phytosexual it deserved what you gave it ! It makes so much sense now you’ve (myth) busted it 🤠 Really cool video !

When bottoming, I find they suck more, which is cleaner and when topping, it can get wet quickly as it can start leaking from their holes.

youre my favorite plant channel because i actually feel like i learn a lot and youre funny lol

i appreciate your use of actual scientific words, explanations, and humorous-yet-reserved personality. Love your vids and content.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I love how informative your videos are and your sense of humor. I alternate between top and bottom watering. If the dreaded fungus gnats infest my house, I will set the plants in a Pyrex tray and top water with an azamax treatment and let the plants soak for about 30 min…depends on their size.

My favorite method is topping the plants while they're in a dish and letting them sit for a few minutes, I feel like the soil gets a lot more saturated.

Haha! I love your style of presentation. Great undertone of humor.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

More of an overtone but yeah haha

Well said. Happy Festivus Nick!

Omg I missed your videos! I’m 1 min in and obsessed lol! Okay now back to watching!!!

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Thank ewe

I have the same fruit bowl and use it for watering too! It has some baby sized dessert dishes that match 😁

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

adorable!

@myconfusedmerriment

2 жыл бұрын

I have the smaller ones, too! I was like “oh hey, that looks familiar…”

Love nature and science 😍😍🍃🍃 Great video!!

I've started using clear containers for my plants with good drainage. I'm a chronic over waterer so being able to see into the pot and check the level of moisture has really helped to keep me from drowning my plants. Clear container with drainage holes, thin layer of smooth stones sprayed with peroxide, top with a 1/1 mix of my own compost and coco coir. Happy plant. 🪴

@mortymat3

2 жыл бұрын

Doesn't the clear containers damage the sun sensitive roots?

@Enigmatic_Lurker

2 жыл бұрын

@@mortymat3 It might for plants that need more sun so a cache pot is definitely a good idea. Where I live gets very little natural sun so my plants live almost exclusively on overhead grow lights. So far I haven't had any issues and it's been a good way for me to quickly pick them up and check their moisture level on the fly.

@mortymat3

2 жыл бұрын

@@Enigmatic_Lurker hey if it works for you 👍🏻👏🏻 Keep up the clear containers 😉

@Tismesue

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, I use clear containers in cache pots. But I use pon, mixed with bark and NZ sphagnum moss depending on the plant.

@meikahidenori

Жыл бұрын

Heartly recommended this if your a new plant parent! Nearly all my plants are in clear pots (except for plants that require somthing bigger than I can purchase in a clear) inside catchpots and if I need to check for for excess soil moisture (especially in winter months) or if the plant it rootbound you can tell so easily by just lifting up the pot. I also find clear pots great for rehab plants (which I have MANY as I have a bad habit of buying plant that need saving....😅) as you can see how roots are recovering after treating a plant for root rot and other issues this way too. Would be curious on how sensitive roots are to light, especially since many house plants do grow/propergate in water and more often than not we're doing it in clear jars.... though I've personally not have had any issues. (I mean most orchid pots are clear too and may Orchids are fine & dandy in those)

My fav part was the end where you pick up the potted plant and you can see all the soil and nutrients that leaked out into the bowl.

my first time bottoming was really messy.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Soil everywhere.

@06KK

2 жыл бұрын

@@phytosexualwhen it's taken out and drips everywhere

I listened to plant people online who told me to put my venus fly trap in a tray of water and just leave it there, it can't dry out. My venus fly trap rotted out piece by piece. I got a new one, had it in water for a week. It started drooping. I googled. Lo and behold...you're not supposed to leave it in the water all the time. You don't let it fully dry out, but that much moisture...probably killed my new venus fly trap too now. No wonder those same people said they are very hard to take care of. They kept drowning them!

@phytosexual

11 ай бұрын

This and they need a dormancy period or they get stressed and die, oh and people putting them in regular soil or feeding them filet mignon.

My heart fluttered for that watermelon pepperomia 🥰 I love them so much

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

They are so niccce

The queen is bacccccc!!!!!

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

I'm back after many uploading woes.

As for your cousin. I think we all have a "Stacey" in their family. Mine is a younger siblings. And as for the grilling indoors, I think someone needs to explain the difference between indoor and outdoor grills to her. Good luck on that.

I bottom water for convenience. This way I have a “watering station” set up with a pitcher of water and 2 big bowls and slowly water all my 50 houseplants as needed throughout the week/month. It pretty much does itself and for some of the bigger/harder to move plants I use watering globes

I love this. Love the science of plants. ♥️ great video as always! ♥️

Thank you for logically going through this, sometimes it's easy to just blindly listen to what we see on social media but to actually research and learn is so much more valuable. Thanks for reminding me to think for myself also 😋

@phytosexual

Жыл бұрын

Yes thinking for yourself is not something people do these days.

Thank you for sharing the grill story I felt the stress

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Stop. Grilling. Indoors.

I don't use TikTok or Instagram, Facebook, any of that. I do find bottom watering to be perfect for my plants. I have difficulty moving my body around a lot, so I take a 9x13 baking pan, and water my plants in that . I go by the soak and drain method, just from the bottom up. Over watering isn't how much water we put into our pots. It's how often. So it really shouldn't matter. It's about preference. I also bottom water to encourage roots to grow downward. This is handy while propagating, and for plants with shallow roots to seek moisture, growing downward toward it..rather than risking root rot. Sometimes, I top water while I bottom water. It depends on how dry the top layers are, and which plant it is... Also to keep the water flowing through, avoid compacted soil... And the timing depends on the plant, the type of pot .. I go by how it feels when I pick it up. I allow them to drain, just like if they are top watered. Even my most dramatic plants are looking lush and beautiful, without root rot. It's working well for me. I also like putting them in the shower.

The shade and sass in these videos give me life every time

I just found you! Loving it! Love you add the scientific reasons!! I like bottom WATERING, not by time but amount of water per plant preferences. Thanks for a smarter way to planty!

I switch between top and bottom watering depending on what I feel like, and the plant. I do like how bottom watering compacts the soil less, and helps w fungal gnats, but top watering is so much faster.. if I want to make sure I fully hydrate soil without making it too wet I feel like top watering is easier, whereas if I want less than 100% hydration I prefer bottom watering

@chuck4714

Жыл бұрын

This doesn't make sense

I only started bottom watering because my brother gave me a plant that needs to be fully saturated with water every week. Pouring cup after cup of water and letting it run out the bottom into the sink (his way of watering it) seemed wasteful so I tried bottom watering. It doesn't seem to mind. My other plants perked up from it as well so I'm trying on a plant by plant basis. (one that seemed to get worse right after top watering for some reason especially looks better) I do have a theory that bottom watering causes less runoff of soil but I'm not sure it's actually true. I may simply be losing soil from the bottom while the top isn't being pushed down by the water. I always knew it was the dirt soaking up the water not the plants though. Haven't noticed any fungus gnats yet thankfully.

Once again, you had me wildly entertained while educating me. Love your style of humor.

@phytosexual

Жыл бұрын

Thank you sm :)

Thank you for a great video. I appreciate the way you explained basic plant physiology in getting water to its cells. I water the plants according to their need and the type of soil they live in. Winter watering is the tricky one - the house's thermostat is kept at 68 F, the plants exposed to the Southern window dry out faster than the ones in the East/North windows. Despite checking the soil and (supposedly) knowing the plant, I lose a few plants every winter due to overwatering or underwatering. Oh well, c'est las vie!

Well worth the wait. Excellent video and information. Bottoming and topping. Decisions decisions. 🤯 I just can never decide how long to leave it in the bowl of water.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

I guess you have to get a feel for it.

@ashakabeta

2 жыл бұрын

Go by how it feels when you lift it. It should feel a little heavy, like when it's watered from the top. I prefer to bottom water to deter fungus gnats, and encourage roots to grow downward. It all depends on the type of pot. Plastic is fastest, terra Cotta, slow.

@patrickandrews42069

2 жыл бұрын

@@ashakabeta I started to weigh the plants, so I know when it's clearly in need of water. I time how long it's in the water. Bottom watering works best for my cactus because the soil is dry and hydrophobic and the water simply runs down the sides when I try to top water it.

@ashakabeta

2 жыл бұрын

@@patrickandrews42069 that's smart! I remember this KZreadr ( hi! ) Did a video on weighing his too. I can feel it because I'm weak 🤣

@lovableasshole

2 жыл бұрын

@@patrickandrews42069 weighing every plant can be a bit tedious if you've a lot of plants (I've 150ish). That's spreadsheet territory lol better to just get a feel for it, especially since you don't want to saturate some plants depending on the season (or ever)

Thank you for this. I've been annoyed by the misinformation. After 10yrs of keeping plants, I've landed on watering in a tub. Set them in an inch of water, fully saturate from the top. Let them set for an hour or as long as overnight. Remove and let them drain in the bathtub for a while. Then put them where they're supposed to go. I use all terra cotta now, so I don't really have issues with overwatering.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

so much work lol

@nesekaba

2 жыл бұрын

@@phytosexual I suppose it looks that way lol. It's mostly when I'm at home doing nothing all day. Leave them in the bathroom for a few hours and switch them out every time I remember they exist haha.

I’ve been watching a ton of plant videos recently and stumbled across this one. By far the BEST one I’ve watched! Immediately subscribed ❤

Thanks for being the funny, smart and very best plant educator, I'm so thankful and happy I discovered your channel, you and Amanda have been my absolute favourite KZreadr this year, keep going Love from Germany 🇩🇪

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Is this supposed to be easier than just walking around with a watering can? It's a no from me.

I prefer topping. I feel is easier to keep track of the plants that need watering and less messy. However, if I am in a hurry I might bottom water while I complete other chores around the house. I do feel it is hard to know when to take them out of the water though.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you.

I absolutely love your videos! So happy you are keeping at it! They literally make my day, from being so funny, to educational! It’s such a win win! Hope you are doing well, and thank you for the awesome videos!! I do a mix of bottom and top watering. I think it can establish that happy medium of natural rainfall and having that moist soil for the moist soil loving plants which they have in their natural habitat. I don’t bottom water cactus or succulents unless I was a bad plant mom and forgot about it so I bottom water to rehydrate the soil. What I do when I bottom water is each of my plants has a saucer or decorative pot surrounding it’s actual pot it is planted into. So when I bottom water, I just add the amount of water in the saucer or decorative pot I would normally use to top water. My thinking could be completely wrong, but my theory has been working for the past one to two years so far. This comes with knowing how much water each plant needs when I water and it varies for each plant and each time I water (depends on size of plant, media, lighting it gets, etc., you know what I’m talking about I don’t have to elaborate lol ). I do bottom water older plants more often because they have more established roots and I do top water plants more often that are too large to put in a container. From my experience it has gotten rid of my fungus gnat breakout from the bad soil I had purchased. Using bottom watering and sticky traps got rid of them. That’s my experience and I am no expert, just a avid plant lover who can never know enough. Thanks again for your videos, they are so valuable to everyone. And I have never grilled in a closed sunroom….. hence I’m still alive 🤣🤣

Missed your pretty face! Happy Holidays!!

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Happy holidays!

I bottom because I’m lazy. Also I bottom water my plants because I’m lazy 😉

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Really it seems like a lot of work moving all your plants to a bowl.

This is why I watch you. You validate my skepticism.

The way you mix cheeky humour with plant talk is really nice😂

I’ve done both and my plants survived. I think that since people have been successfully watering plants in a variety of ways for centuries it doesn’t matter what anyone on Tik Tok says.

I typically bottom water everything but I leave them in water until the pot is fully saturated and the soil right under the top layer is wet. It takes a really long time like hours per plant but all of them are on different schedules so it doesn’t make life too hard at least I also let most of my plants fully dry out before I water them too though

Gosh I have missed your humor sooooo much Nick. 🥰🥰🥰 Thank you for another awesome video. Xoxoxo

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! New video is up!

You are a Joy. Many thanks 💚

I use bottom watering exclusively- HOWEVER, this is because I grow carnivorous plants. Unlike most house plants, they grow naturally in saturated or very moist soils. Year round they have lots of light and humidity, and grow in nutrient void soil entirely of perlite, peat Moss, and sphagnum moss. The hydrophobic behavior of peat moss is something I’ve definitely noticed when they get too dry, but didn’t understand it fully prior to the video. Great video, those rootbound plants in the TT clips made me cringe tho lmao. (Edit; not exclusively, they get rained on and I top water them every once in a while- they sit in trays which fill up and keep the pot saturated)

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

I'm getting a loti of comments like this, but the video was mainly geared towards common foliage houseplants. Carnivorous plants definitely differ in many respects.

I’ve always been interested in the perched water table phenomenon in potted plants I bought an orchid plant pot for a philodendron ( a pot with holes down the sides) and wondered if the holes allowed for enough air to move through the soil to prevent a perched water table in the bottom of the pot ( which is probably the biggest cause of root rot). Let me know your thoughts!

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

A correctly sized pot (one that dries out in less than a week), well draining soil and a pot you can determine is wet or not by weight is your best friend. A perched water table is only caused by something other than soil at the bottom of the moving the water table up towards the roots. You can put a philodendron in a pot like that, however if the roots are exposed to air for a long time it will kill the root hairs, philodendron roots do not have the capacity to be exposed to air and absorb water efficiently like epiphytic orchids do.

Love this! ❤️

This video was very helpful. Thanks!

You made some great points. Whether top or bottom watering, seems like "fully saturated" soil is trouble, no matter what the method.

another great video! also its recomended to bottom water succulents, just to avoid the leafs sitting on moist soil and rot...

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

I usually am careful about where the water goes, depends on how easy it is to avoid.

I have been lurking on your videos for almost a year... You're really Wonderful. This video, your comment about hanging someone by their entrails, won my heart. You have an amazing collection & I am grateful for your channel. I am a lifelong gardener, but just began working with houseplants with covid lockdown. Thank you for making content that makes me feel like I am learning, not actively slaughtering braincells.

@phytosexual

Жыл бұрын

Aww thanks so much I try not to make the world dumber than it already is.

@RavensWillReplaceUs

Жыл бұрын

@@phytosexual Your efforts are effective and successful!

Happy New Year, Nick.💛

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

You Too!

After my ficus almost died, I decided it's a no for me. The bottom watering is fine just for some plants, most of them though prefer the normal one.

Most of my plants are fine with top watering, but my variegated string of hearts and string of pearls which are in their original 2.5in pots and original soil do need to be bottom watered or else they just can’t get enough water. It’s very obvious for my VSOH which was constantly droopy however much I top watered it but perked up immediately after I switched to bottom watering. So I guess that depends on plants and the soil/pots they’re in.

I love your show!!!! I crack up and you give good info, I work at a store that has a big houseplant section and I’m telling peeps to watch you to learn🌿🌿🌿

The sunflowers person is also very considerate to powdery mildew too. 😂

Wait. Dejavu? Have we previously experienced this topping and bottoming phenomenon? Or am I prescient?

@istymix

2 жыл бұрын

This is a reupload

@artybea9316

2 жыл бұрын

@@istymix I literally thought I was losing my mind 😂

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

The audio was lagging in the first one towards the end. It was terrible.

@artybea9316

2 жыл бұрын

@@phytosexual ahh yes I remember that, thank goodness it was an actual memory and not the sign of an old brain deteriorating! 🤪🧠👵🏻

Nick, you are so amusing, thanks for your unique insights. As for me... If I were to bottom water, each plant, in one bowl, for 10 minutes each for 60 house plants.... Do the math ➗➖ ❌= I do check the weight of the plants, use rain water, I do "brew" fertilizer, (oxygen in the solution) . So I have a question ⁉️ can using the same bowl of water cross contaminate plants?

@codielane9787

2 жыл бұрын

I would say yep it sure can.

@Tismesue

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, it must definitely can. Soil mites hang out at the bottom of pots and fungus gnats can also lay their eggs there. I have self watering and I used to find larvae wriggling around in the water. Also water worms without the black heads but I don't think they are a problem.

@Tismesue

2 жыл бұрын

Also... use multiple pots! 😂😜

@elizabethtaylor2058

2 жыл бұрын

Eww 🤢

Your videos cure my depression. Thank you!

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help :)

I bottomed I mean "bottom watered" for the first time a few months back. I gotta say it was nice. Gonna have to download that app again

I just put mosquito bits in my potting soil and I never have fungus gnats.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

I've head of that method!

@lovableasshole

2 жыл бұрын

@@phytosexual I've not had fungus gnats in years and I use organic solid fertilizer once a year in addition to synthetics. Just a few granules in addition to a systemic pesticide and the fertilizer when I repot and top dress. It's similar to using BT

I mostly bottom water cause I don't have a watering can and pouring water into a bowl leads to less mess than trying to aim into a 2-3" pot. Something I didn't see you touch on. I thought you shouldn't share the water across different plants like they did in that last Tik Toc cause it could spread pathogens or whatever from the soil on to other plants. I don't really know if there's any truth to it tho

So glad you reposted this! I was going to rec this video but you had taken it down....which I'm guessing due to audio desync.

@phytosexual

2 жыл бұрын

Yes terrible, I did not upload in the recommended audio quality and it screwed with the video.

Thanks for your videos ....I enjoy them very much.