Need advise with watering and trimming....

MayFly

Member
My plants seem fine. But I can't quit worrying about not having a solid watering strategy. The plants (18" to 26" and flowering) are in in pots close to about 3 gallons. I give a full 16oz glass of water to each plant every couple days. I have perlite in my soil mixture to try and keep the water flowing. I am told it's best to let your soil (at least the surface) get completely dry between waterings. And also to water your plants until it drips out the bottom. This makes the plant starve just enough to push itself into growing and developing faster. Then gives the plant water to fully absorb and also maximize growth.
Well my soil is never what I'd call dry and water NEVER drips out the bottom. Somedays the fanleaves sag slightly and sometimes the very tip of the top leaves gets a little brown and crispy, "Never bad though"!.. But I always think it's because of my watering, however my watering patterns haven't really changed. I bought a moisture tester and even when the soil seems DRY it reads all the way in the blue..
My first question is:
What is a good rule of thumb for wattering the soil in a 2.5 gallon pot? How much? How often? and should I ever let it get dry.
Second, I know I'm supposed to trim the leaves. What leaves DO and Don't I cut?
Will the plant starve if I cut too many of its leaves off?
 

jweezy707

Member
My plants seem fine. But I can't quit worrying about not having a solid watering strategy. The plants (18" to 26" and flowering) are in in pots close to about 3 gallons. I give a full 16oz glass of water to each plant every couple days. I have perlite in my soil mixture to try and keep the water flowing. I am told it's best to let your soil (at least the surface) get completely dry between waterings. And also to water your plants until it drips out the bottom. This makes the plant starve just enough to push itself into growing and developing faster. Then gives the plant water to fully absorb and also maximize growth.
Well my soil is never what I'd call dry and water NEVER drips out the bottom. Somedays the fanleaves sag slightly and sometimes the very tip of the top leaves gets a little brown and crispy, "Never bad though"!.. But I always think it's because of my watering, however my watering patterns haven't really changed. I bought a moisture tester and even when the soil seems DRY it reads all the way in the blue..
My first question is:
What is a good rule of thumb for wattering the soil in a 2.5 gallon pot? How much? How often? and should I ever let it get dry.
Second, I know I'm supposed to trim the leaves. What leaves DO and Don't I cut?
Will the plant starve if I cut too many of its leaves off?
What is a good rule of thumb for wattering the soil in a 2.5 gallon pot? How much?
Water until you see a slight runoff. You mentioned that you don't see any water running off; the simple solution to that is to put more water.

How often? and should I ever let it get dry.
This is personal preference. You can try every Monday and Friday, then build off of that. If you see that the surface of the soil is dry, that doesn't mean the entire pot is dry.

Second, I know I'm supposed to trim the leaves. What leaves DO and Don't I cut? Will the plant starve if I cut too many of its leaves off?
Don't trim your leaves. If you're worried about the light not being able to penetrate lower sites, then LST them.


I have two suggestions for you;
1. Buy a moisture meter.
2. Make a vow to yourself that you will only check on your plants no more than 3 times a day.
 

BrandonT

Well-Known Member
What is a good rule of thumb for wattering the soil in a 2.5 gallon pot? How much?
Water until you see a slight runoff. You mentioned that you don't see any water running off; the simple solution to that is to put more water.

How often? and should I ever let it get dry.
This is personal preference. You can try every Monday and Friday, then build off of that. If you see that the surface of the soil is dry, that doesn't mean the entire pot is dry.

Second, I know I'm supposed to trim the leaves. What leaves DO and Don't I cut? Will the plant starve if I cut too many of its leaves off?
Don't trim your leaves. If you're worried about the light not being able to penetrate lower sites, then LST them.


I have two suggestions for you;
1. Buy a moisture meter.
2. Make a vow to yourself that you will only check on your plants no more than 3 times a day.

why would you only check your plants 3 times a day? if your just checking them why wouldnt you the plants benifit from the co2 of you being in the rooom, they like the company
 
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