How to measure and track water retention with Evapotrack
The watering protocol is a simple method for tracking exactly how much water your plants retain. By measuring water in and runoff out, you build a data-driven picture of your plant's hydration over time.
The Protocol
Measure your water. Before watering, measure the exact volume of water you plan to use.
Water your plant. Pour the measured water slowly and evenly through the medium.
Collect runoff. Catch all the water that drains out the bottom into a tray or container.
Measure the runoff. Measure the volume of runoff collected.
Log it in Evapotrack. Enter the water added and runoff collected. The app calculates retained volume, runoff percentage, and capacity automatically.
Need a starting point for your Max Retention Capacity? Check the water retention reference table for estimates by pot size and growing medium.