Watering Techniques

[Rick Moquin]

Watering IS hard, regardless of what is said. Using a free draining mix, as Mr. Pall does in moist, humid Germany, can be murder in Texas summertime sun for a deciduous tree, possibly even for some conifers...

Watering on a schedule is also a pretty bad way to water. Watering once a day in extremely hot humid weather in the Southern US WILL result in root problems. Heat induces a summer dormancy in some trees. Some will stop active growth and use significantly less water.

perhaps... Not knowing peculiarities of various regions may very well be an issue, but if your substrate is designed for you area, then as Walter says it is impossible to over water.

A schedule is not a good thing, but then again some folks may require a drip irrigation system to balance their individual schedule against their tree demands. Nothing wrong with adjustable timers and drip irrigation providing the trees are not ignored for prolonged periods. They are great for vacations and WE absences but some forgo necessary surveillance and maintenance because of the out of sight out of mind syndrome.

Weighing trees is not necessary. Getting to understand how the soil mix you're using drains and dries throughout the seasons is necessary to understand when you need to water.

.... absolutely.