Soil watering question

Dr.StickyFingers

Well-Known Member
So if over watering is a result of the roots constantly being too wet then how do constant drip systems work such as blumats where the roots soil is constantly moist but not drenched?

so everyone says to water the pot until the soil is fully drenched and run out occurs and then let the top inch or so dry out before watering again.

What if instead of watering fully you only watered partially but you just did it as often? I've tried it and it doesnt seem to affect it negatively.

Is there like a moisture sweet spot?
 

Desr

Well-Known Member
constantly being wet can lead to other problems, (indoors not as likely as out) root rot, mold etc, some places it rains alot, some places it doesnt. meh.
dont under. dont over. its really not rocket science..
 

Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
You sure the drip systems your referring to are using soil? Could be using a soilless mix, rockwool or hydroton. Constant water will kill microbes in soil, leading to nutrients becoming unavailable. Not to mention if your soil has a high cation exchange rate, your just asking for problems with constant watering.
 
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az2000

Well-Known Member
Soil ph rises as it dries. I believe holding the soil to a narrower wet/dry range would limit nutrient availability. If your soil is balanced and you don't get salt buildup, maybe it would be better to hold the soil's ph range to a narrower range (where everything is available). But, if you experience acidity, salt buildup in flower (as many do), I think that restricted wet/dry range would compound the problem.
 

warble

Well-Known Member
In DWC the roots are always wet. Air stones bubbling in the soup keeps them oxygenated. In soil you get new oxygen to the roots by letting your medium dry out and the roots stretch out, seeking moisture in the soil. If you want to keep the soil moist, you might want to bubble your water for a while before you water or feed your plants.
 

Dr.StickyFingers

Well-Known Member
constantly being wet can lead to other problems, (indoors not as likely as out) root rot, mold etc, some places it rains alot, some places it doesnt. meh.
dont under. dont over. its really not rocket science..
You sure the drip systems your referring to are using soil? Could be using a soilless mix, rockwool or hydroton. Constant water will kill microbes in soil, leading to nutrients becoming unavailable. Not to mention if your soil has a high cation exchange rate, your just asking for problems with constant watering.
Yea I know all this... and I know how to water in soil. I'm purely curious as to how blumats work.

https://www.opengrow.com/uploads/1297342909/gallery_641_1850_2120206.jpg

The ceramic sensors sense moisture in the soil and when theres not enough water it will feed the soil from a res but the soil is still ALWAYS moist not damp but moist... plus watering less but more frequently didnt really seem to affect yield and size from the last grow I harvested.
 

Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
Well, just looked up the system you were talking about. Looks very interested, some cool technology. The only thing is the constant water goes against what we have told to be correct. Kind of sounds like a hydro person getting into the soil game? Trying to automate like hydro?
 

Dr.StickyFingers

Well-Known Member
so then when you post questions, theyre not actually questions? amazing.
"I'm curious as to how blumats work"

And

There's actually 2 questions out of 3 in the OP that weren't answered 1..2..

Well, just looked up the system you were talking about. Looks very interested, some cool technology. The only thing is the constant water goes against what we have told to be correct. Kind of sounds like a hydro person getting into the soil game? Trying to automate like hydro?
Ya that's what I dont understand, kind of contradicting? That's why I ask if there's like a moisture sweet spot where it can stay moist all the time

And ya Im looking into it and trying to understand. I haven't grown supersoil yet but if you use blumat (just water) + supersoil I don't see why you would have to do any work In the tent other than check up on it time to time and fill up the res.
 
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