---
title: "A bit lost here. My tomato plants and sunflowers were doing fantastic…"
description: "A bit lost here. My tomato plants and sunflowers were doing fantastic for a long time, but now looking terrible. Any advice?? When I try to water, it just sits…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/epNQN08tS1KWhgiYtZe3TQ?language=it"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Bethany"
published: "2024-05-10T15:27:31.311839Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/EZaV7WZfGaVagQcNHmwqzgawtCDb2duRPbnu4V0y3fY/Iwg1djGARYaomALv2o67Cg.webp?size=large"
---

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# A bit lost here. My tomato plants and sunflowers were doing fantastic…

_Pubblicato da Bethany il 2024-05-10_

A bit lost here. My tomato plants and sunflowers were doing fantastic for a long time, but now looking terrible. Any advice?? When I try to water, it just sits at the top and pools or goes straight through the drainage holes. I follow a regular watering schedule and use liquid fertilizer as needed.

![Allegato 1 di 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/EZaV7WZfGaVagQcNHmwqzgawtCDb2duRPbnu4V0y3fY/Iwg1djGARYaomALv2o67Cg.webp?size=large)

![Allegato 2 di 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/EZaV7WZfGaVagQcNHmwqzgawtCDb2duRPbnu4V0y3fY/f1vwYG7_QaqjQWScNrIcew.webp?size=large)

![Allegato 3 di 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/EZaV7WZfGaVagQcNHmwqzgawtCDb2duRPbnu4V0y3fY/gGCLmEKrShaKrskKu21m8g.webp?size=large)

## 4 commenti

### Smallbeetoes ha commentato il 2024-05-10

Try bottom watering. Let the soil soak in water for a while. The soil may be hydrophobic. Once it gets soaked it should be fixed.

#### Bethany ha risposto il 2024-05-10

How long would you recommend letting it sit? I attempted bottom watering the other day but I don’t think any water was absorbed

### Smallbeetoes ha commentato il 2024-05-10

Maybe 30 minutes? Make sure the water level is high enough to get to the roots. If still not absorbed then i would suggest changing the soil

### Succulent❤️Mama ha commentato il 2024-05-10

Yep, what Smallbeetoes said. Sounds like hydrophobic dirt. I would soak it for an hour and then sit it somewhere to drain until the excess water runs out. If the plant is in the right size pot and in the right soil, it can’t absorb too much water. I’ve left a hydrophobic succulent in water overnight and it was great! Overwatering happens by watering too often, having the wrong dirt, too big of a pot, or no drainage. So you don’t have to worry about overwatering by letting it soak a bit longer.😊

Oh, and regular bottom watering might be putting it in a bowl with a couple inches of water. That is not what’s needed here. It needs to be put in a bowl or sink of water that goes up to the top of the dirt line in the pot. We’re soaking the dirt to get it to absorb water again. Bonus, the roots should absorb water while they are being soaked too and the plant should start perking up.😊

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