How often do i water

I am a newbie and have 5 babies going right now. I got them all as clones and am using soil as a medium with just mainly sun and a small FL light. Two of them are at about 3ft now and the others are brand new planted clones from bout a week ago. I was curious if I should water them all the same amount or if the bigger ones should get more? I am doing as much reading and studying as possible but I am curious?
 

billymac

Member
One way to get that water released is to take the plant to a restaurant or bar with one of those blowing hand-dryers in the bathroom. Rotate the blowing mechanism (The shiny thing that makes your head look misshaped) until it is blowing upwards. Now, quickly nestle your plant in the blower and press the button. This works great, but you need to repeatedly hit the button over and over again until the soil is at the desired level of dryness. Also, try to be quick because cops are some of the only people who use those blower things, so there's a possibility of them noticing a two foot pot plant sticking out of the blower; which might inevitably lead them to wondering who over-watered that plant... so wear a mask and cape to conceal your identity.
This was a good one. I can just see it now, a stoned newbie checkin out this post and then trying to sneak his pot plant into a McDonalds bathroom,lol:clap:.
 

Tarmo

Member
So i readed,but didnt notice still how often should i water plant in beggining of growing?
after i put my seed to soil i dont water it 1-2 days and then 100-200 ml?
 

Block

Active Member
I got some cheap potting soil from the dollar tree, and it's drainage is pretty crappy, so what i did was mixed some regular soil from outside, and it drains so well now.
 
dude i use the same thing but it freaks me out because they dry up really fast in FL.and those peat things get super lite, so in that jiffy 72ct i got i potted 5, and its been 8 days and i filled it to about 1/8in. w/ spring h2o and a wee bit of M.G root encouragement its a 2,4,2.They stay wet with the clear topper, and no results yet, what would get me through these hard times???????
 

muppet100

Member
I just purchased a clone that has been in vegitative stage for a few weeks and will transplant into a larger pot from its original jiffy pot, i will have the light schedual 18/6 and the water on four times 15 min each run when the light is on! Does this sound ok? It is a top feed system using perlite and coconut fibre.

Cheers:smile:
 
I am growing in hydroton and watering 4x daily in an ebb and flow system 15 minute intervals. Is that enough or is 5 or 6 better since it's hydroton?
 

MoJobud

Active Member
I am growing in hydroton and watering 4x daily in an ebb and flow system 15 minute intervals. Is that enough or is 5 or 6 better since it's hydroton?
Depends on how big your plant is. Does the plant really need that much water? Hydroton + rockwool?
 

duchebag

Member
Being a newbie, Ive found watering my main obstacle, however rather than ask how much, as over watering is an easy noob mistake, and soil or hydro, medium, size etc, so as part of same question and maybe to squeeze more info out the more experienced, if I leave my babies dry for whatever period, whats the stages you see of before it dies eg, if I leave it....leave it... (NO leave it !)... then BAM when the plant _(enter what the plant will do just before its past saving)_ as then hopefully I can learn my strand by trial and error, but without loosing one...

PS- not sure if this should of been another thread, but might help the other noob...
 

DANK MAN3

Member
gidday kids, just quick question, i am in grow stage and are unsure how often and for how long i should be watering. i have an auto system and the timer can only do 15 min intervals.... :wall:
i have a couple plants that starting to fold up and brown tips and small brown spots & 1 of em turning yellowish green...there 15 days old...temp is 78....i water every 2 days...gud airflow.. and i use only mircale grow potting mix n the cups...my buddy says thats the problem using only that mircale grow potting mix is starting burning the plants....another says cause i use 24 hr lights... the lights aernt close..bout foot off..and yes i use tap...please let me know sum thing thanks
 

oresho420

Member
Being a newbie, Ive found watering my main obstacle, however rather than ask how much, as over watering is an easy noob mistake, and soil or hydro, medium, size etc, so as part of same question and maybe to squeeze more info out the more experienced, if I leave my babies dry for whatever period, whats the stages you see of before it dies eg, if I leave it....leave it... (NO leave it !)... then BAM when the plant _(enter what the plant will do just before its past saving)_ as then hopefully I can learn my strand by trial and error, but without loosing one...

PS- not sure if this should of been another thread, but might help the other noob...
I read that this is probably the smartest and easiest way to figure out how often you should water your babies... I just let the damn thing dry out and I'll notice all the leaves start drooping. When I see this I check with a finger on the far outside edges of the pot and see how deep in the soil is dry. Say for instance the plant is only 6 inches, like someone mentioned earlier, 2 more inches (8) is how long the roots should be therefore if I notice about 4 - 6 inches of the pot is dry but not the very very bottom you can keep waiting it out... lift once it's entirely dry and try to remember the feel of the weight then start watering again slowly if you had over-watered previously. Just do the 1/2 inch check for dry ness a few times each day but make sure not to over water... I try to water slowly and once all the leaves are back in upright errect position then I'll go back to "regular" full watering; less than whenever I'd overwatered prior of course. This also helps figure out how often watering is needed. You can track how long it took for the plants to start drooping and then just remember to water like the day before (if it took 5 days til it started drooping then water every 4 days).

Noob advice, I think most of it is just learning through experience... probably doesnt hurt to have one or two failed grows when staring up as long as you acknowledge and understand what you had done wrong ;/ My baby has done the droopy thing 3 or so times lmao but it's fought through it all and is doing pretty well right now o:
 

tifluflo

Member
Hello, could you help me with this question, my babe plants, around 3 to 4 inches in total (top of the plant to bottom of root), were pulled out from the pot by accident, I know!!!!!, I replanted them right away, but today I was going to water the plants 100ml, the soil is dry, up to 1", is there any tip to save them, they were totally pulled out, I couldn't keep the same high as before, not stable, planted them bit deeper. Hopefully I can save them.

If you see this pictures is that yellows color on the leaves missing nitrogen or not.IMG_3142.jpg



this is the original highIMG_3144.jpg, after replanting, IMG_3147.jpg, with a broken leaf, how much water would you put this buds my friend.
Thanks.
 
It shouldnt piss anyone off that people choose to pickup a hobby in different ways. Some have more time than others and some have more of an emotional investment as well. You should not judge people who ask questions first off as 99% of the time no question is a bad one. No one should be pissed off and have to say so, if you do not like the thread do not respond to it, just basic respect.

On the other side yes it can be slightly annoying to see a forums go nub-cakes with multiple threads all asking very basic questions. However this is the watering thread and a single thread again is hardly something to get pissed about no matter how busy with newcomers it is. Bubbles was correct in telling them that they should maybe do some more research but on the other hand they very well could of and that research was so conflicting that they felt the need to ask anyways.

The answer on how much to water:
Considering every growing is unique in their setup the amount of water you give your plant will depend on multiple variables.
some of which are:
1. Growing Medium (mixed or not, retention qualities,and the nutes that is may/may not contain)
2. Plant size, age, absorption rate of water
3. Whether you are plain watering or nutes watering
4. Pot size
Excellent post, thank you!
 

Runagi

Well-Known Member
Came across this and it's the best information I've found so far. Found it on another site and it's probably as straightforward as it'll get for watering instructions:

Water, the fluid of life, makes up more than 80 percent of the weight of the living plant. Within the cells, life processes take place in a water solution. Water also dissolves nutrients in the soil, and this solution is absorbed by the roots. About 99 percent of the water absorbed passes from the roots into the conduits (xylem) of the stem, where it is distributed to the leaves via the xylem of the leaf veins. Transpiration is the evaporation of water from the leaves. The flow of water from the soil, through the plant to the air, is called the transpiration stream. Les then one percent of the water absorbed is broken down to provide electrons (usually in the form of hydrogen) which, along with carbon dioxide, are used to form carbohydrates during photosynthesis. The rest of the water is transpired to the air.

Watering

Water provides hydrogen for plant growth, and also carries nutrients throughout the plant in the transpiration stream. However, it is not true that the more water given a plant, the faster it will grow. Certainly, if a plant is consistently under-watered, its growth rate slows. However, lack of water does not limit photosynthesis until the soil in the pot is dry and the plant is wilting.

The amount of water, and how often to water, varies with the size of the plants and pots, soil composition, and the temperature, humidity, and circulation of the air, to name a few variables. But watering is pretty much a matter of common sense.

During germination, keep the soil surface moist. But once the seedling are established, let the top layer of soil dry out before watering again. This will eliminate any chance of stem rot. Water around the stems rather than on them. Seedlings are likely to fall over if watered roughly; use a hand sprinkler.

In general, when the soil about two inches deep feels dry, water so that the soil is evenly moist but not so much that water runs out the drainage holes and carries away the soil's nutrients. After a few trials, you will know approximately how much water the pots can hold. Marijuana cannot tolerate a soggy or saturated soil. Plants grown in constantly wet soil are slower-growing, usually less potent, and prone to attack from stem rot.

Over-watering as a common problem; it develops from consistently watering too often. When the plants are small, they transpire much less water. Seedlings in large pots need to be watered much less often than when the plants are large or are in small pots. A large pot that was saturated during germination may hold enough water for the first three weeks of growth. On the other hand, a six-foot plant in a six-inch pot may have to be watered every day. Always water enough to moisten all the soil. Don't just wet the surface layer.

Under-watering is less of a problem, since it is easily recognised. When the soil becomes too dry, the plant wilts. Plant cells are kept rigid by the pressure of their cell contents, which are mostly water. With the water gone, they collapse. First the bottom leaves droop, and the condition quickly works its way up the plant until the top lops over. If this happens, water immediately. Recovery is so fast, you can follow the movement of water up the stem as it fills and brings turgor to the leaves. A plant may survive a wilted condition of several days, but at the very least some leaves will drop.

Don't keep the pots constantly wet, and don't wait until the plant wilts. Let the soil go through a wet and dry cycle, which will aerate the soil and aid nutrient uptake. Most growers find that they need to water about once or twice a week.

When some soils get particularly dry, the water is not absorbed and runs down the sides and out the bottom of the pot. This may be a problem the first time you water the soil, or if you allow the soil to get very dry. To remedy, add a couple of drops of liquid detergent to a gallon of water. Detergent acts as a wetting agent and the water is absorbed more readily. First water each pot with about one cup of the solution. Allow the pots to stand for 15 minutes, then finish watering with the usual amount of pure water.

Use tepid water; it soaks into the soil more easily and will not shock the roots. Try to water during the plant's morning hours. Water from the top of the pot. If you do want to water from the bottom with trays (not recommended), place a layer of pebbles or gravel in the trays to insure drainage. Don't leaves the pots sitting in water until the pot is heavily saturated. The water displaces the soil's oxygen, and the plants grow poorly.

Tap water in some areas highly chlorinated, which does not seem to harm Cannabis; and many fine crops are raised with water straight from the tap. But chlorine could possibly affect the plants indirectly, by killing some beneficial micro-organisms in the soil. Chlorine also makes the water slightly acidic. However, neither effect is likely to be serious. Some growers have asked whether they should use pet-shop preparations that are sold to remove chlorine from water in fish tanks. These preparations generally add sodium, which removes the chlorine by forming sodium chloride (table salt). This solution does not harm the plants, although repeated use may make the soil too saline. Probably the best procedure is to simply allow the water to sit in an open container for a few days. The chlorine is introduced to water as the gas Cl2, which dissipates to the air. The water temperature also reaches a comfortable level for the plants.

Hard (alkaline) water contains a number of minerals (e.g., Ca++, Mg++, K+) which are essentially nutrients to the plants. Water softeners remove these minerals by replacing them with sodium, which forms slightly salty water. It is much better to water with hard water, because artificially softened water may prove harmful after some time. Occasionally, water may be acidic (sulphurous). Counteract this by mixing one teaspoon of hydrated lime per quart water and watering with the solution once a month.

Water and Potency

We've seen no studies that have evaluated potency in relation to water. A few studies have mentioned the fact that plants that received less water were slightly more potent. Water stress has been practiced by several marijuana-growing cultures. In parts of India, watering is kept to a minimum during flowering.

To limit watering, water with the usual amounts but as infrequently as possible. To encourage good growth, yet keep watering to a minimum, wait until the plants are a few months old before you curtail watering. Give the plants their normal water and note the number of days before they begin to wilt. As the plants get larger, the water needs increase, but this generally stabilises by the time of flowering
 
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