On 27/05/2011 14:32, Dave Hill wrote:

So many people pour water over a plant that is dry and much of it runs
off round the sides, also dry compost doesn't take up water easily,
that is why I say to add a drop or two of washing up liquid as it
breaks down the surface tension and lets the water get taken up more
easily.


I do agree, although in my experience washing-up liquid doesn't help
that much. I always use a couple of drops in a 8l watering can, but the
water soon pours out the bottom of the pot. That's because we've all
moved to peat/peat-free based composts rather than soil based, and the
former are so difficult to wet once they've dried out. For really
thirsty plants I tend to use pot saucers as these certainly help retain
water and dampen the compost.

--

Jeff