Question
Hi Jeff,

I heard that there are no dumb questions ;-) So I磍l ask...

Does it make any difference to the soil of a potted plant if the pot is constantly in a tray of water (that does not dries out) that is only 1 cm deep or 3 cm deep?

If the pot constantly sits in a deeper amount of water, will the water reach out more of the soil, or the deepness does not matter?

I am asking, because I was wondering if I can "control" the wetness of the soil by putting plants in different trays. I would go for smaller (in diameter) and lower trays with Flytraps and Pinguicula and bigger ones for Sundews/Sarracenia. Still, all have in common they would be always full of water, since I磍l use the drip system.

Thanks a tons!

Cheers,

JP

Answer
Hi JP,

If I understand your question correctly, the water depth does make a difference.  We vary the water depth all the time for plants based on the type of plants.  A good example is in one of our greenhouses we keep just a little water in trays of Mexican butterworts.  They don't like to be waterlogged.  Sundews, however, we fill the trays.  They love being wet (most of them anyway; always exceptions), and many are found in nature right at the water level.  For hardy varieties D. intermedia is a good example of this.

So, having various depths of trays is a great idea.  Also, if your drippers come on frequently enough, you might not need water trays at all.  Darlingtonia loves being watered this way.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com