How much should I be watering?

papa canna

papa canna

Well-Known Member
I have 9 plants in a fair size room under 600w MH/HPS all in 7 gallon fabric pots in sunshine advanced #4 and i've been watering a half gallon per pot, but it takes a solid 3-4 days for the medium to dry out. Am I over doing it? I use to water much less and more often, but my plants were often showing signs of underwatering, so under the advice of a pro I started watering much more.
 
explosive82

explosive82

Well-Known Member
I would check the weight of the plants (something you will get used to as time goes on) and stick your finger up to your first knuckle in the soil to test if they are dry. The plant weight should vary a large amount between being wet and dry, as far as how much you should water i usually do it till i see some run off but other people don't so take it for what you will.
 
420monster

420monster

Well-Known Member
explosive82 said:
I would check the weight of the plants (something you will get used to as time goes on) and stick your finger up to your first knuckle in the soil to test if they are dry. The plant weight should vary a large amount between being wet and dry, as far as how much you should water i usually do it till i see some run off but other people don't so take it for what you will.
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The finger is inaccurate and he is using fabric pots it's all run off there almost impossible to over water

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Mount

Mount

Well-Known Member
Add another for weight... I use 5 gal fabric pots with mine under a 600 hps as well... watering depends on what stage they are in. There are times they will take a lot of water and nutes, others not so much... weight and listening to your plants is the best way... they will tell you when they need it!

Edit... one tip... water some, wait a little, like go take a quick toke... go back water again... that is if they are in soil... especially in fabric..gives the soil and plant time to soak up the water..to much water all at once just drains out and you think it is enough because of the run off...
 
Richard Drysift

Richard Drysift

Well-Known Member
Yeah as they get bigger & badder they use more than they used to. Increase of ambient temps and/or relative humidity are also factors. Water them when they need it; I usually can't go more than 3 days without water- I find it better to water a bit less & more often than to drench the pots every time. Fabric pots almost eliminate overwatering that is once the roots have filled out the containers.
 
papa canna

papa canna

Well-Known Member
Weight can be difficult for me to tell, i usually stick my finger in the dirt. I can try checking the weight, but because i use tomato cages it already makes them pretty heavy. I'm in week 3 of flower and the buds are looking quite nice so far if that helps.
 
Mount

Mount

Well-Known Member
papa canna said:
Weight can be difficult for me to tell, i usually stick my finger in the dirt. I can try checking the weight, but because i use tomato cages it already makes them pretty heavy. I'm in week 3 of flower and the buds are looking quite nice so far if that helps.
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I hear ya... aside from my room, I use a 4x4 tent for some and getting into that to lift them is tough when they are flowering.. in that case, I like what Richard-Drysift said... more often with a little less...but for my tent where I can't pick them up, I use one of these, http://www.amazon.com/Mudder-Moisture-Function-Suitable-Gardening/dp/B00W2ZROT6/ref=pd_sim_328_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41KSLoB0jkL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=11JK4KNWXJFH73B6K2NH along with my eyes on the plant to tell me if it need water..
 
Olive Drab Green

Olive Drab Green

Well-Known Member
papa canna said:
I have 9 plants in a fair size room under 600w MH/HPS all in 7 gallon fabric pots in sunshine advanced #4 and i've been watering a half gallon per pot, but it takes a solid 3-4 days for the medium to dry out. Am I over doing it? I use to water much less and more often, but my plants were often showing signs of underwatering, so under the advice of a pro I started watering much more.
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Use coco instead of soil and you'll have no more issues overwatering.
 
Grojoe90

Grojoe90

Active Member
papa canna said:
I have 9 plants in a fair size room under 600w MH/HPS all in 7 gallon fabric pots in sunshine advanced #4 and i've been watering a half gallon per pot, but it takes a solid 3-4 days for the medium to dry out. Am I over doing it? I use to water much less and more often, but my plants were often showing signs of underwatering, so under the advice of a pro I started watering much more.
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I couldn't tell ya I use coco which requires a shit ton more water than other soils
 
Holisticfarmer

Holisticfarmer

Well-Known Member
papa canna said:
I have 9 plants in a fair size room under 600w MH/HPS all in 7 gallon fabric pots in sunshine advanced #4 and i've been watering a half gallon per pot, but it takes a solid 3-4 days for the medium to dry out. Am I over doing it? I use to water much less and more often, but my plants were often showing signs of underwatering, so under the advice of a pro I started watering much more.
Click to expand...
What kind of under watering signs? Gotta pic?

Also, weight is the way to go. Do yourself a favor, fill a pot with your soilless mix, add a tomato cage, and pick it up. Compare it to your plants weight. Way easier to tell then frequency.
 
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