What is a gravel tray used for?

sb44

Do you put gravel in the tray with water to help keep the plants watered and if so, how much gravel and water do you put in, in relation to the size of the tray?

teapot2

Are you talking about house plants here? I think that gravel trays are used for plants that like a moist atmosphere and the wet gravel creates a bit of a microclimate. As far as I know you stand the pot plant on a tray with a layer of gravel and some water but presumably not too much or the roots might become waterlogged. I don't think it helps with watering but rather with the atmosphere around the plant......??

sb44

teapot2 wrote: »

Are you talking about house plants here? I think that gravel trays are used for plants that like a moist atmosphere and the wet gravel creates a bit of a microclimate. As far as I know you stand the pot plant on a tray with a layer of gravel and some water but presumably not too much or the roots might become waterlogged. I don't think it helps with watering but rather with the atmosphere around the plant......??

Oh, right. I bought some from Wilkinsons as I have a growbag sized bag of pea gravel from the aquarium in the shed. I thought it may be of use in the greenhouse.

Don't have any houseplants, they never last too long, I seem to be doing a lot better with the veg!

BlondeHeadOn

I use big gravel trays on the staging in my greenhouse, filled with water matting (thick bits of carpet-like stuff which hold loads of water). I then put trays of plug plants, pots of plants etc. on top of the mats, and the plants get the moisture from the water matting as and when they need it.

It makes watering the greenhouse a doddle, particularly at this time of year when it is still full of plants to be potted up in beds and baskets etc., as well as tomato plants etc. I just tip in water by the litre when the matting starts to dry out, and all the plants are galloping away.

Very easy way of keeping a greenhouse watered and humid!

l_i_s_a

Hi,

I bought these gravel trays from Wilkos also. I am using them in the greenhouse for my tomatoes and peppers. I am only a very new veggie-growing learner so by no means an expert, but I read somewhere that tomatoes etc prefer to be watered from below rather than pouring into the top of the pot. Also I work full time and I was finding it hard to ensure they stayed well watered.
These trays are fab as now I just pour some water into the tray and they suck up the water they need as they need it.
I also found them much cheaper than buying loads of dishes for each pot, especially as I have ended up growing far too many also!
Wilkos have little and big ones for about 79p and £2.29 respectively.

Hope this helps
Lisa

BlondeHeadOn

I have just re-read your post and noticed you mentioned having gravel (durr....) - yes, this can be used in the trays in the greenhouse to keep the air moist etc., also alpine plants are sometimes grown in gravel trays with gravel - helps with drainage, and they just take up the moisture they need.

Hope this helps!

angelavdavis

Gravel trays are used so you can stand a pot on top of the gravel, the roots will pull the water up from the tray using capillary action, but the roots aren't actually sitting in the water so it prevents them rotting.

In addition, having the moisture around the roots also creates humidity which deters pests like red spider mite that thrive in dry environments.

sb44

Thanks everyone.

I started reading the replies and then thought I would have to tip all of the gravel out that I had put in them but I think I will leave them now and see how I get on.

I already have 3 of the capillary tray sets from Wilkinsons, two with the tops on with seeds in and one being used with pots on the matting.

Blimey, considering I was a total newbie to this a couple of weeks ago the greenhouse sure is getting full!