container Drain Holes For Container Growing

[alphajam]

My plastic 5 gallon orange big box store "pots" are giving me some drainage grief. . .What size, and how many holes do you usually put in the bottom? Any in the sides? Do you put a very large hole and use a screen to keep your dirt in?
 
Last season I drilled (6) 3/4" holes in the bottom. . .This season I drilled a Large center hole, about 2 3/8", and (4) 3/4".
 
I ask because I have been having some drainage issues. The top half of my dirt dries out quickly, but the bottom of the bucket stays REALLY saturated.

 

[JoynersHotPeppers]

I like hole on the side just above the bottom and 1/2 inch. I would do about 8 per 5 gallon bucket. That worked for me perfectly fine when I did a few plants in buckets. 

 

[moruga welder]

how much perlite did you add to your mix per bucket ?     

 

[juanitos]

Like 6 1/2 in holes in bottom

 

[Proud Marine Dad]

I agree with the above bro. The better the drainage the less problems with over-watering.

 

[Scorched]

Use a wick. It will help to drain off the perched water that containers have. I use one of those absorbent mop heads that are a bunch of strips. Cut off one of the strips and thread it through any of the holes in the bottom. Put the pot on the ground and the wick will drain away excess water.
 
Lots of info here http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1375349/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention-xviii?n=157

 

[Geonerd]

Living in Hell Tucson in June, I'll try anything to cool the plants and root ball.
 
Drilling a bunch of 1/2" holes to increase evaporation can't hurt.  Dirt loss through the holes is not an issue.
I think another series of holes between the existing rows is coming soon.
 
"5 gallon" nursery pots that are really about 4. 
 

 

 

[tsurrie]

I drilled about 1cm holes all around (about 6 or 8 holes), just above the bottom edge... it is better than the holes on the bottom imho

 

[Big Mike]

May be hard to see here.  I grow essentially all of my plants in homer buckets.  No holes in bottom.  Six holes (5/8" or so) in the sides at the bottom.
 
Cheers!
 
Big Mike
www.knot2worry.us
 
 

 

[JoynersHotPeppers]

^^That is what I was talking about, works very well!

 

[suchen]

Same as above. Even drilled extra holes in the "15 gal" (aka ~13.5 gal) nursery pot I picked up.

 

[Spicytigger]

Always on sides unless you plan to elevate your buckets so the water can drain out of the bottom and away from the bucket. I use packing peanuts on bottom to help keep soil in and let water out.
 
Angie

 

[Proud Marine Dad]

Living in Hell Tucson in June, I'll try anything to cool the plants and root ball.
 
Drilling a bunch of 1/2" holes to increase evaporation can't hurt.  Dirt loss through the holes is not an issue.
I think another series of holes between the existing rows is coming soon.
 
"5 gallon" nursery pots that are really about 4. 
 

 

A Monrovia container I see. They grow some of the best plants that money can buy.
They call themselves, "Horticultural craftsmen" and I agree as they grow some incredible stuff. 

 

[scooby]

I was having the same problem so drilled three rows of six millimeter holes 1 inch apart from base up

 

[RedFred]

Hmmm... I have all of my peppers in pots and wonder how you noticed this issue?

I have drainage because water comes out the bottom onto the ground, but I don't know if there is excess water still in there?

I always throw in some brick-a-brack on the bottom to keep the hole open or cut a hole if there isn't one and then use the broken pottery.

I don't know how I would check for this issue?

FredD