Soil moisture content

[M.Organics]

Hi all, I have a blue lab soil moisture/EC/temp meter and was curious what the best soil moisture % is for cannabis?

 

[M.Organics]

Hi all, I have a blue lab soil moisture/EC/temp meter and was curious what the best soil moisture % is for cannabis?

Using foxfarm ocean forest soil by the way.

 

[HydoDan]

There is no perfect constant moisture content.. Water, then let it dry to around 50% then water again..

 

[xtsho]

You shouldn't need a meter to tell you when to water.

 

[M.Organics]

You shouldn't need a meter to tell you when to water.

The meter informs me of soil temperature and EC content as well, I think this is very helpful for amazing quality and optimal growth requirements.

 

[M.Organics]

There is no perfect constant moisture content.. Water, then let it dry to around 50% then water again..

I would debate that considering univsersities have studied growth of other plants such as hops that require full saturation on a consistent basis for optimal growth. Grapes lose their higher quality for wine manufacturing under 60%…

 

[evergreengardener]

 

[xtsho]

The meter informs me of soil temperature and EC content as well, I think this is very helpful for amazing quality and optimal growth requirements.

I just stick my finger in the dirt. I've been using that method for close to 50 years. I've had great success growing all kinds of different plants with just the simple finger method. I don't need a meter to tell me when to water.

 

[M.Organics]

I just stick my finger in the dirt. I've been using that method for close to 50 years. I've had great success growing all kinds of different plants with just the simple finger method. I don't need a meter to tell me when to water.

I completely understand and have used that method for years. Looking for the most optimal conditions if anyone has information. I appreciate your input.

 

[Leeski]

Just grab a handful of soil and squeeze it really hard you want to see slight water/Moisture in between your fingers …

 

[myke]

I got a meter when I started using SIPs. In the sip it’s 9.9 every where. Sure is handy for my outdoor flowers etc. My wife likes it and takes the guess work out on my 15 gallon tomato pots. Seams like between 5 and 6 is the right moisture. I water when it says 2 or less.

 

[HydoDan]

I would debate that considering univsersities have studied growth of other plants such as hops that require full saturation on a consistent basis for optimal growth. Grapes lose their higher quality for wine manufacturing under 60%…

Grapes and hops are not cannabis.. Lilly pads grow in water!

 

[xtsho]

Grapes and hops are not cannabis.. Lilly pads grow in water!

Cactus grow in the desert. Some plants grow best in extremes. Some plants can thrive in a wide range of environments. Cannabis is one of them. Cannabis adapts quite well to it's growing environment. Cannabis thrives in what's considered a Mediterranean climate. Stretches of both rain and drought. That's why cannabis thrives in Northern California and western Oregon when grown outdoors. Cannabis can thrive in both wet and dry conditions.

I completely understand and have used that method for years. Looking for the most optimal conditions if anyone has information. I appreciate your input.

If you want to provide a constant moisture content without over or under watering you should look into Blumats. They use capillary action to open and close a valve to release water or a nutrient solution. They keep the grow medium at a constant state of damp but not soaking wet as the capillary action that opens and closes the valve is controlled by the moisture content. Using a drip system on a timer can lead to over or under watering since a timer doesn't use the moisture content of the growing medium to determine when to irrigate.

 

[myke]

Or go with a Sip. Easy just add water when you have time. Even I can do that

 

[xtsho]

Or go with a Sip. Easy just add water when you have time. Even I can do that

I keep procrastinating about doing SIP. Not just for cannabis but for other plants as well. It's a very good method of growing that makes irrigation really easy.

 

[HydoDan]

I keep procrastinating about doing SIP. Not just for cannabis but for other plants as well. It's a very good method of growing that makes irrigation really easy.

Once you set them up and get dialed in, Sips do a great job.. Almost as fast as hydro..

 

[xtsho]

Once you set them up and get dialed in, Sips do a great job.. Almost as fast as hydro..

Same thing with 100% coco coir and Blumats. Sips are cheaper and have a built in reservoir. My plan was some 18 gallon totes filled with flowers for the patio. Didn't happen and now I'm stuck watering with a hose. There's always next year.

 

[lusidghost]

Same thing with 100% coco coir and Blumats.

This is where I would think a meter and an ideal moisture percentage would come in handy.

 

[xtsho]

This is where I would think a meter and an ideal moisture percentage would come in handy.

The blumat is the moisture meter. But you're thinking more along the lines of identifying what level of moisture the Blumat is delivering aren't you? I would be interested in that data as well. I'm not going to buy a meter to find out though. But I do know that it's the right amount.

 

[lusidghost]

The blumat is the moisture meter. But you're thinking more along the lines of identifying what level of moisture the Blumat is delivering aren't you? I would be interested in that data as well. I'm not going to buy a meter to find out though. But I do know that it's the right amount.

Yep. Blumat sells a meter, and I found this on its Amazon page:

Step 3
Interpreting the Reading: A display of 0 millibars is equivalent to the meter in a standing cup of water. A display of 750 millibars is equivalent to soil completely void of moisture. For high-value crops like hemp, a reading of 100 millibars for vegetative stage and 120-150 millibars for flowering stage is ideal. These numbers may vary dependent on variety.