Pots standing in water

In the Brugmansia thread, Shiney said that he kept all the pots on his patio standing in saucers of water. I have never done that for fear that they could get waterlogged and suffer. But he has set me thinking.

I think he has a good point. I have some plants like Brugmansia in huge pots where the top of the compost would be at least 12 inches above the water level. As they like lots of water it seems like a good idea.

Does anyone else do that? And are the saucers permanently full, or just filled up when empty? And what sized pots do you do it for? There is obviously a point where the compost will be permanenty water logged if the pot is too small. And for what plants?

 

I've mentioned this elsewhere, we have nearly a dozen 16" or so pots on our patio, all sit in "Sankey Pot Movers" so they're easy to rotate every few days so all sides catch the sun. Or we can "clear" the patio by rolling them to one side if we have guests and want to put a few chairs out. They have the added advantage that they will retain about half an inch of water that can often "track" through the compost when you water them, so the very base of the pot stays moist.

 

I've sometimes put a saucer under a large pot of any plant that seems to take endless water, its not something I do as a rule but it doesn't hurt on large pots, you just have to keep an eye open and remove the saucer should we get a lot of rain.

 

I've got a Rudbeckia Goldquelle growing in a pot that needs constant watering (it's going in the border next year). I have it sat in a bucket of water as the only way to get it watered right now.

 

Thanks Doghouse, Pete and SussexG for your replies.

Its obviously something to consider for exceptional plants, but I am reassured that its not common practice for all plants. I would hate to think that all that time I had spent watering had been wasted. :cry:

The question was prompted by finding a place that sells large saucers - to go under 50 and 35 litre pots. But having bought a few I now see the weather forcast is for rain for the next week. :D

 

I only do it when I'm going away. Saucers under pots outdoors, indoor chillis sat in the bath etc.

I don't like doing it, but it's probably better them being too wet than drying out. Might get blossom end on me toms, but at least they'll live.

 

I've three pots of marigolds outside stood in a huge saucer of water at the moment!

 

Marley - thanks.

You have probably put your finger on it. Maybe plant pots can sit in a saucer of water as long as the saucer is allowed to completely dry out at on a regular basis.

 

I tried that method with a Dahlia in a large pot the other day - watered it, but had it sitting in a large saucer at the same time, until the water ran out into the saucer. I left it overnight and by morning the saucer was dry.

 

I think it would work well with Dahlias. I was reading that they need more than 40 inches of rainfall equivalent over their growing season. Thats a year's worth of rain just in the growing season. This implies that you should be watering it even when its raining. :D

 

I do! After last year when I didn't and by this time it had finished blooming and died. This year it's covered in buds constantly (and swimming in water!).

 

I think the key actually lies with the temperature, if its warm day and night you can get away with it, but come september it might be a good idea to let things go a little dryer.
But it depends on the weather really.
I've grown the odd canna as a marginal in a pond, but some types die if you do that.
A lot of the plants I grow prefer to actually be under watered rather than overwatered, its a difficult question, but let hope we get some more hot weather