Overwatering for two weeks?

[badatusernames]

I'm going to be gone for a couple of weeks, and I have a watering system that runs once a day. Now that we're closer to the event, I'm realizing the weather is such that some need watering every day and others truly do not. So I can't set it for every two days, but that means many will be getting over-watered.

Trying to determine how big of a deal this is - I figure sometimes it rains for two weeks so it should be fine, but thought I'd pose the question here to see how people react.

 

[stav121]

This summer I was gone for 5 weeks and my trees where sitting on big trays full of sphagnum that was watered every day (technically bottom watering) and I got no over watering problem.

Generally speaking, typically over watering happens when the trees sit on still water with no aeration where the roots don't breath at all, and even then two weeks I think is way too low to trigger any overwatering damage.

 

[badatusernames]

This summer I was gone for 5 weeks and my trees where sitting on big trays full of sphagnum that was watered every day (technically bottom watering) and I got no over watering problem.

Generally speaking, typically over watering happens when the trees sit on still water with no aeration where the roots don't breath at all, and even then two weeks I think is way too low to trigger any overwatering damage.

That makes a ton of sense and aligns with my assumptions

I brought a few I was particularly nervous about to a nursery to be boarded. There are no, say, white pines on their own roots in the ones being auto-watered, I think most of them are much more flexible in terms of wet/dry cycles

 

[Paradox]

I'm going to be gone for a couple of weeks, and I have a watering system that runs once a day. Now that we're closer to the event, I'm realizing the weather is such that some need watering every day and others truly do not. So I can't set it for every two days, but that means many will be getting over-watered.

Trying to determine how big of a deal this is - I figure sometimes it rains for two weeks so it should be fine, but thought I'd pose the question here to see how people react.

If you have your trees in open, inorganic soil that drains, it shouldnt be a problem.
If the soil is organic and/or the pots dont drain, you might have problems

 

[River's Edge]

I'm going to be gone for a couple of weeks, and I have a watering system that runs once a day. Now that we're closer to the event, I'm realizing the weather is such that some need watering every day and others truly do not. So I can't set it for every two days, but that means many will be getting over-watered.

Trying to determine how big of a deal this is - I figure sometimes it rains for two weeks so it should be fine, but thought I'd pose the question here to see how people react.

When I travel for a week or two I often use my automated system. I try to arrange the trees according to their watering needs within one of the three zones I operate. Seedlings and young stock or trees that requires more water in one zone. Those with moderate needs in another and the last group in the third zone. Then I simply alter the number of times and duration of time for each zone. I set this up after working with a general system in the larger nursery for decades.
Basically I end up overwatering when I am away for short periods of time. I have not experienced any long term effects from this practice. I do make a point of paying careful attention to the watering when I return and do not use the automated system on a daily basis. Hand watering is preferred.
I do reccomend having someone take over the hand watering if one is going to be away for an extended period of time. Caveat: needs to be a very responsible person who is trained how to water in advance and this takes some time.
I do only use inorganic soils with very free draining mix for all my plants. The only thing I vary is the % of Akadama/Kanuma and the inclusion of Fir Bark as desired.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I agree with the statements above. Two weeks shouldn't be a problem.
Yesterday I took three junipers out of a tray that had been there for a week, maybe more. They're greener than ever.

 

[badatusernames]

Yep - inorganic free draining soils here. Good point about the zones, I actually have the ability to add a second but I don't have the tubing and nozzles to do it at the moment, I'll have to keep that in mind for next time.

Sounds like I'm good to go, thanks for confirming, everyone! Can rest a bit easier now...

 

[stav121]

Yep - inorganic free draining soils here. Good point about the zones, I actually have the ability to add a second but I don't have the tubing and nozzles to do it at the moment, I'll have to keep that in mind for next time.

Sounds like I'm good to go, thanks for confirming, everyone! Can rest a bit easier now...

I am going to suggest you try out my method as well for smaller pots: https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/has-anyone-here-started-watering-every-day-yet.68744/post-1196225

I literally had my trees run on this system from 1st of July till 23rd of August without loosing a single tree, you just need a good airy spot. It works like a charm for smaller pots. Sadly bigger ones require a nozzle directly on the pot.

 

[Shibui]

Overwatering for 2 weeks won't be a problem unless you've already been overwatering, in which case it may just push them past the point of no return. Root rot does not happen in a couple of weeks. It takes many weeks of soggy soil to kill roots.