Kenni, that may be true for water holding culture, I am using SemiHydro
clay pellets that drain free water instantly and require a small sump
that holds water to provide for the wicking of water up the pot
internally, and in my case keeping the pot wet. In my use of clay pots,
which is not true SemiHydro, I need a saucer to hold that water. The
beauty of SH is that there is much air space in the culture all the way
down the pot bottom as well as damp clay to allow the roots to breath
and adsorb (or is it absorb) water and food. Someone will calculate the
free air space one day and my guess is about 30% throughtout the pot.
I may very well run into trouble with this approach but it makes sense
to me. I use RO water and very low levels of sea weed solution as a
food. I simply had to much trouble with bark, charcoal and inerts so
have switched to expanded clay. I use clay pots rather than plastic
because the wind blows my plants over in plastic. Is that enough air
circulation! ;-)) Hey, I do listen to you folk, being a newbie I need
the information and am very glad this forum and others are so free with
help and advice.
Thanks!!!
Joe T