Question about watering...

[iosh herman]

I am trying to learn how to water based on the weight of the pot, i haven't watered for 3-4 days now and I decided to water today because the pots were lighter...the little plant of the 2(jeanie) watered great and the water was draining like normal from the drainage holes, but the big beast(betty) didn't drain at all...I didn't put as much water in Betty as I did Jeanie because seeing as how she didn't have any water run out I thought she might not need water yet? I'm also thinking that she might need MORE water then what I gave her so far so that it can drain out, but I don't want to overwater so I thought I'd ask before I continued to water...Thanks in advance for the help, NOOB question but first grow...Sorry

Iosh

 

[thexception]

overwatering is not watering until it drains through ur holes, personally I always water until it drains through. overwatering is watering too much (too many days). water by weight is the best method, so kudos to u for doing that. u will get the feel for "lighter" & truly light. every 3 days on average for early vegging plants I'd say, but remember once u get into flower the increase will really sneak up on u if u r not careful, it could be 2 days, then 1 day, u have to check them everyday. hope that helps.

 

[iosh herman]

Cool thanks, So pretty much my soil isn't messed up or anything right? It kinda worried me because i felt through the drainage holes & it feels like the soil is all stuck together(hence me thinking it is plugged and wont drain)

It will unstick when I water throughtly correct...

Thanks for the prompt response, and if you could just confirm this i'll be all set!+ rep.

 

[BBYY]

I water when my pots are light too. I also stick my finger down in it. If the top few inches are dry , ontop of a light pot I water until it leaks out the bottom. I also flush every 2 weeks to get any type of salt build up outta there so there wont be no problems with nutrient lockout. Now when i flush it floods out the bottom. I usually do 1 - 1/2 gallons of nutrient water to my 5 gallon pot (that gets it just barely leaking out the bottom) When I flush I drop about 2 gallons almost 3 threw it (that makes it pour out the bottom) I only flush when the plant is really, really dry (like almost wilting from lack of water)

I am sure your soil is okay. But next time try putting more perlite or rocks in the bottom of each pot to ensure good drainage and to make sure the bottom aint too packed for roots to have a hard time growing and to get air down there.

 

[iosh herman]

I asked the gentleman at the hydro store if the soil has good drainage or should I include some sort of "drainage help" because I've read up and saw that perlite has great drainage, but he said no, so i just bought the soil...

 

[thexception]

if u r using the same soil mix in both & u said the one drained through, then the other should drain through when u add enough water. of course u havent said what mix u r using for soil, for all i know u could have rocks on the bottom & then that of course could prevent drainage if ur one plants just so happen to have the rocks blocking the holes. the purpose of watering until it drains through is to try to prevent any potential salt build-up in the soil, especially once u r adding nutes.

remember u should be cultivating the top of ur soil every few days. also if u feel there is a true drainage problem u can poke a stick gently around the soil & through it to get it aerated again. after a awhile, the soil may seem kind of compact. Mine r in flower & r like that. I fill the pot until the very top & the water sits there for a minute, but it does drain & drains all the way through.

 

[thexception]

how old r ur plants? u could potentially replant them if u feel the drainage is inadequate since u didnt supplement the soil.

 

[iosh herman]

if u r using the same soil mix in both & u said the one drained through, then the other should drain through when u add enough water. of course u havent said what mix u r using for soil, for all i know u could have rocks on the bottom & then that of course could prevent drainage if ur one plants just so happen to have the rocks blocking the holes. the purpose of watering until it drains through is to try to prevent any potential salt build-up in the soil, especially once u r adding nutes.

remember u should be cultivating the top of ur soil every few days. also if u feel there is a true drainage problem u can poke a stick gently around the soil & through it to get it aerated again. after a awhile, the soil may seem kind of compact. Mine r in flower & r like that. I fill the pot until the very top & the water sits there for a minute, but it does drain & drains all the way through.

Sorry for not stating my soil; Fox Farms Ocean Forest

how old r ur plants? u could potentially replant them if u feel the drainage is inadequate since u didnt supplement the soil.

Plants are about a month old, I will upload pix give me 5 mins.

 

[iosh herman]

First one is the one that didn't drain(betty) and the second is the one that drained(jeanie)

 

[thexception]

seems like betty just needed a bit more that's all dont worry about it this time, when they get light again, water each individually until they drain through. I am unfamiliar with FF but MANY people here use it & love it. It is clearly visible the soil is already amended with perlite & possible other things (I think this may be the FF soil with spagnum moss & possibly vermucilite too), u can easily find this information online (it contents) in any case u r good on the soil & the plants look good!

and betty is clearly bigger, this I would imagine she needs a bit more then jeanie, lol.

 

[iosh herman]

seems like betty just needed a bit more that's all dont worry about it this time, when they get light again, water each individually until they drain through. I am unfamiliar with FF but MANY people here use it & love it. It is clearly visible the soil is already amended with perlite & possible other things (I think this may be the FF soil with spagnum moss & possibly vermucilite too), u can easily find this information online (it contents) in any case u r good on the soil & the plants look good!

and betty is clearly bigger, this I would imagine she needs a bit more then jeanie, lol.

Cool man I thank you for your help, gave me some insight..good stuff!

BTW i'll be cloning both today, i created a thread in noobie central cus its my first time cloning, I know how to do it but just pretty excited...Post pix later tonight...

 

[Green Growbot]

I have a moisture/Ph/light intake probe that works ok but the best way to tell when to water (if your plant is at least 12") is to grab the plant around the bottom of the stalk and give her a little tug upwards. If she starts to come up easy then its time to water. If it seems to hard to pull her up without hurting her then her water intake is fine.

 

[thexception]

Cool man I thank you for your help, gave me some insight..good stuff!

BTW i'll be cloning both today, i created a thread in noobie central cus its my first time cloning, I know how to do it but just pretty excited...Post pix later tonight...

most welcome, good luck with the clones!

 

[thexception]

I have a moisture/Ph/light intake probe that works ok but the best way to tell when to water (if your plant is at least 12") is to grab the plant around the bottom of the stalk and give her a little tug upwards. If she starts to come up easy then its time to water. If it seems to hard to pull her up without hurting her then her water intake is fine.

tell me u did NOT just say that, OUCH.

 

[Green Growbot]

ive been told by SEVERAL veteran growers thats the way to get the most accurate reading. it does work. Im not saying rip the thing outta the ground thats why i said "tug", not attach a rope to a car like its a damn tree stump. it takes a little getting used to, to get the feel for it but its very accurate. as soon as you grasp 2 fingers and a thumb around the stalk just above the dirt (sounds like im talking about jerkin off or somethin haha) you can feel whether or not it will move. criticize my way if ya want but my leaves aren't sagging at all. you have never over-watered before?

 

[CSI Stickyicky]

Sorry for not stating my soil; Fox Farms Ocean Forest

Ocean Forest tends to clump up, and not drain well, if you don't add perlite. I used to add perlite, and now i cut my soil with Sunshine #4, which is a soilless mix heavy on perlite and peat moss. I mix 2 parts Sunshine #4 to one part Ocean Forest (Which makes my soil costs cheaper) then i add various additives like guano and mycorrhizal fungi. You can just mix in some Sunshine #4 or perlite for better drainage on your next batch.

 

[Green Growbot]

You just listed every ingredient that is in Dr. Earth soil. Its $15 for a 50 lb bag. Quit wasting $$$! Fox Farm is old news and you dont even have to use any nutes besides liquid vitamin B-1 until a week or 2 before you start flowering.

Ocean Forest tends to clump up, and not drain well, if you don't add perlite. I used to add perlite, and now i cut my soil with Sunshine #4, which is a soilless mix heavy on perlite and peat moss. I mix 2 parts Sunshine #4 to one part Ocean Forest (Which makes my soil costs cheaper) then i add various additives like guano and mycorrhizal fungi. You can just mix in some Sunshine #4 or perlite for better drainage on your next batch.

 

[thexception]

ive been told by SEVERAL veteran growers thats the way to get the most accurate reading. it does work. Im not saying rip the thing outta the ground thats why i said "tug", not attach a rope to a car like its a damn tree stump. it takes a little getting used to, to get the feel for it but its very accurate. as soon as you grasp 2 fingers and a thumb around the stalk just above the dirt (sounds like im talking about jerkin off or somethin haha) you can feel whether or not it will move. criticize my way if ya want but my leaves aren't sagging at all. you have never over-watered before?

lol, ur a comedian seriously I just think there is a better way, & that would be hefting or water by weight. personally i am not going to potential cause stress & disconnection or damage of the roots by pulling on the stems, just me. overwatered, no...underwatered when the change in needs during flowering snuck up on me, yes.

 

[backwoodsburner]

go buy a 3 in 1 meter. save yourself the trouble...
http://www.marcmart.com/goods-2479-3+in+1+Moisture++PH++Light+Meter+Soil+Garden+Tester.html