How often should I be feeding?

Revilgaz · Jan 9, 2016

My plants are currently 8 weeks from seeds being planted in soil. Currently I am feeding once a week but I noticed one plant has small leaves at the bottom turning yellow. I'm using a liquid 4-4-4 Dr Earth liquid fertilizer. I am currently watering every other day. Should I increase feeding to every time I water? Still in Veg stage.

Thanks for any help.

ZaraBeth420 · Jan 9, 2016

Revilgaz · Jan 9, 2016

Added to the post. Sorry.

redeyedfrog · Jan 9, 2016

That is totally normal, plants look great, keep doing what your doing and you'll be right. Keep it simple!

Scoeniemus · Jan 10, 2016

It looks well I wouldn't increase amount of nutrients.

Revilgaz · Jan 10, 2016

Do these look normal size? I feel like every picture I see of plants 8 weeks look much bigger.

2ANONYMOUS · Jan 10, 2016

Revilgaz said:
Do these look normal size? I feel like every picture I see of plants 8 weeks look much bigger.

they look about right about for 8 weeks, here 4 week old and 8 week old week from seed under 18 watt T5 Ho

Medizzinman · Jan 10, 2016

Watering every other day seems excessive. I water plants that size every 3-4 days. They need time to dry out completley until the verge of drought. Worse that can happen is they get a little sad looking to tell you its beyond time to water. When you do water alternate between plain watering and watering with nutrients....but do it every 3-4 days. Too much water makes roots not stretch and branch out farther to seek water. They also rot from too much water. Pots should be feather light before rewatering.

Revilgaz · Jan 10, 2016

Medizzinman said:
Watering every other day seems excessive. I water plants that size every 3-4 days. They need time to dry out completley until the verge of drought. Worse that can happen is they get a little sad looking to tell you its beyond time to water. When you do water alternate between plain watering and watering with nutrients....but do it every 3-4 days. Too much water makes roots not stretch and branch out farther to seek water. They also rot from too much water. Pots should be feather light before rewatering.

So switch to a Monday Thursday watering with feeding on Mondays?

Medizzinman · Jan 10, 2016

Yes thats sounds good. I have learned to wait at least 3 full days before rewatering. Also be sure to check you plants out visually after the nutrient feed. It takes a couple days after nutrient watering in soil. Look for burning tips, deficiencies, etc. It helps to guage nutrient strength.

KryptoBud · Jan 10, 2016

Revilgaz said:
So switch to a Monday Thursday watering with feeding on Mondays?

I agree with medi the pots look really wet. I would also only water and feed when the plants need it, don't get up with days and schedules. Bottom leaves can yellow when they're not getting light its normal, plants look good so far.

az2000 · Jan 10, 2016

Revilgaz said:
I am currently watering every other day. Should I increase feeding to every time I water?

You should water when the soil is exceptionally dry (lift the container, it should feel light. But, don't wait until the leaves droop/wilt. If you do, they'll bounce back within 30 minutes of watering. It can be useful to do that a time or two to learn what "too dry" feels like when you lift the container.).

I feed every watering. I haven't heard a rationale for alternating except that it allows the soil microbes to recover from the synthetic nutrients. But, to me, it seems like "6 of one, half dozen of the other." I.e., clobber the microbes hard, then nothing? Or, hit them lighter each time? It doesn't sound like a difference. If you're going to give them a tablespoon every other feeding, just give them 1.5 tsp each feeding?

That's the way I look at it. The only thing I've heard which makes sense of alternating feed/water is if you want to give so-called innoculants (mykos tea, etc.). Then it makes sense to keep the living (fungal, microbial) tea away from synthetic nutrients.

Maybe someone has other reasons to alternate which I haven't heard yet.

Revilgaz · Jan 16, 2016

So this is currently what the bottom leaves are looking like. Want to flip to flowering soon but not if there's a deficiency. I assume this is nitrogen deficiency. Remedy by adding Bloodmeal or use the 4-4-4 I have?

az2000 · Jan 16, 2016

A photo of the whole plant would help. I would supplement with bloodmeal.

Revilgaz · Jan 16, 2016

az2000 said:
A photo of the whole plant would help. I would supplement with bloodmeal.

Alienwidow · Jan 16, 2016

Revilgaz said:
View attachment 3587212

I think thats just some normal lack of light lower yellowing as stated above. Your plants do look like they could use a bit of food though. Id feed at the next watering.

az2000 · Jan 16, 2016

It's probably just lack of light. I wouldn't go crazy trying to preserve those lower leaves. It looks good. If you add bloodmeal, I wouldn't add much.

Revilgaz · Jan 16, 2016

Thanks guys. Sorry about my possible overreacting in here twice now lol. First grow so I get nervous about anything that looks off.

vino4russ · Jan 17, 2016

Hi Rev, I would add a teaspoon of Epsom salt to you next watering for some magnesium and a boost to the nutes.
They look really good though.

Revilgaz · Jan 17, 2016

vino4russ said:
Hi Rev, I would add a teaspoon of Epsom salt to you next watering for some magnesium and a boost to the nutes.
They look really good though.

I'm about to go to Home Depot to grab blood meal and dolomite lime. Think I should still add the salt ?

How often should I be feeding?

Active Member

Attachments

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Similar threads