Correct feeding for soil

[h=2]I have a soil grown plant in a 6.5L pot.
When I mix the nutes, I assume that it is for the amount of water being used and I mix for that amount of water.
But then, how do you feed the plant? Should you drench it with nutes every time you water?
Do you use nutes the first time and then just water for several other feedings?
I don't want to over fertilise the plants or starve them, but if I mix up 5 gal. of nutes at the recommended amount and then water the plant with just a couple of liters of the nutes, wouldn't they be getting just a fraction of the nutes they need?[/h]

Have a look in this section and you will find plenty of help, already asked questions etc

https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/1326-101-already-asked-questions.html

What I can tell you though is no, you don't want to be feeding nutrients every feed, also
for veg you're gonna want a nute with more Nitrogen and for Flowering you want more Potassium
also remember you're feeding the soil not the plant

Surfer Joe said:

I have a soil grown plant in a 6.5L pot.
When I mix the nutes, I assume that it is for the amount of water being used and I mix for that amount of water.
But then, how do you feed the plant? Should you drench it with nutes every time you water?
Do you use nutes the first time and then just water for several other feedings?
I don't want to over fertilise the plants or starve them, but if I mix up 5 gal. of nutes at the recommended amount and then water the plant with just a couple of liters of the nutes, wouldn't they be getting just a fraction of the nutes they need?

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Easy soil mix that I have great success with, with minimal feeding. Get a good organic based soil (I used pro mix organic w/myco) with 20 percent of each perlite/vermaculite. I also throw a little Epsom salts and additional lime although I believe promix already has it in there so go light. For nutes I mix espoma tomato tone as recommended on back per cf of soil. Works great and will take a lot of strains to the finish line with minimal maintenance! I supplement with adv. nutes iguana grow/ bloom and sum fish emulsion when nesessary. Happy growing!

Yup I was going to recommend espoma plant tone as well but no bottled nutes as the espoma is all you need...you just scratch it into the surface......


anyways I think your over analyzing....

1-If using bottled nutes water with nutrients then plain water then nutrients etc. etc.

2-is no they are not getting a fraction of the nutrients, the amount of salts/nutrients are diluted evenly into the whole 5 gallons of water if mixed thoroughly......

The best advice I can give you on nutrients is to go get yourself a TDS/EC meter that can measure the ppm of your source water and nutrient solution. Also need a PH measuring method, especially if using non-organic nutes as they can lock out if ph off. Keep notes on how often you feed and at what level. Some strains can take really heavy levels of nutes, others don't care for them all that much.

I don't give them any nutrients until either 1 month past their last transplant into fresh soil, or when they show signs of needing it. If you can get them to the point where they have a nice shine on the leaf, the dulling of the shine is my first clue that they are getting hungry. I start off my feeding at about 400 ppm and then take it to 600ppm, only feeding every two weeks with water in between. If a heavy feeder, I will see the signs and take it up higher.

Everybody does is differently so it is good to experiment and find out what works for you. Please know that most of those fertilizer instructions are completely untrustworthy. Took me far too many years to figure that out and I messed up a lot of plants! Good luck!

To answer the basic question, mix up as much as needed. The water nute ratios are not based on how much total nute the plant needs, but the concentration in the water.

Start off with half the rec dose at most. I use the nutes every other feed. The other just water.

Hope that helps!

GrowinDad said:

To answer the basic question, mix up as much as needed. The water nute ratios are not based on how much total nute the plant needs, but the concentration in the water.

Start off with half the rec dose at most. I use the nutes every other feed. The other just water.

Hope that helps!

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^^^^^^ Exactly. While I can't tell you what your feeding schedule should be, you do not feed every watering. I usually feed 2 water 1. And again, how much water I give them depends on the stage they are at.

Thanks everyone.
When you say feed them 1 day nutes and one day water only, or 2 days nutes and one day water, does that mean to add water or nutes every day?

After I water the plant until some runs out the bottom of the pot, the soil seems to stay moist for about 2 days so I don't water again until the top 2 to3 inches of the soil feels dry.
Could this be stunting the plant? Should the soil always feel moist?

6,5l pot is too small IMO, transplant to 12l at least, otherwise your plant will get rootbound soon and start to have deficiencies.

Surfer Joe said:

Thanks everyone.
When you say feed them 1 day nutes and one day water only, or 2 days nutes and one day water, does that mean to add water or nutes every day?

After I water the plant until some runs out the bottom of the pot, the soil seems to stay moist for about 2 days so I don't water again until the top 2 to3 inches of the soil feels dry.
Could this be stunting the plant? Should the soil always feel moist?

Click to expand...

No, when they are saying water one day, feed the next day, they are referring to watering days. You may only water every 3 or 4 days, depending on your plant's needs. So, if you are feeding 2, then watering 1, and your plant needs water every 3 days, you would water with nutes one day, then 3 days later, water with nutes again, and then, 3 days later, water with just water, then start over. That's what they mean.

If you are watering when the soil is still moist, then yes, you could be overwatering which can really stunt the plant. If I were to guess, the biggest mistake that new growers make is overwatering. I'd let the soil dry out real good before you water again. Personally, I never stick my finger in the soil to see how far down it is wet. I just lift the pot. When it feels empty(really light compared to just watered), I water. I don't water/feed again until it's light again. I couldn't tell you if I water my plants every 2nd, 3rd or 4th day. Sometimes, I go 3 days, sometimes I go 4, it just depends on the plant/soil. Don't get too caught up on trying to maintain a schedule, let your plant tell you what it needs and when it needs it. Good Luck!