Soil growers

I am growing in 7 gallon pots using pro mix. My question is what is the best way to water. Is it better to water from the top of the pot so you get run off, or should I water from the bottom, into the tray.

from the top.

you water from the top.

Those are some damn big pots

yes i agree those are huge dude but w/e..

Yup from the top always

XxK2xX said:

yes i agree those are huge dude but w/e..

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Yes I know, I've tried 5 gallon pots in the past and I found that my girls would become root bound with 30 days left to flower. I do not have a height issue in my room. The reason I ask about watering from the top or bottom, I actually do both. I alternate from top one time, to bottom watering into the tray. I was told that the roots go will go searching for water down deep which makes them stronger. And the other thing I heard was that it helps prevent algae forming on the top of the soil. I just trying to find if anyone else does this. Also when you soil grower do water from the top, do you water till you see run off in the tray. Or do you have a specfic amount?

I would stick at least 2 gallons thru each 6 gallon pot

I think your fine alternating top to bottom, thats the best of both worlds, just don't bottom feed all the time. I put some of me IMHO info below.

When you water from the bottom you stretch the roots and it makes them come out the holes in the bottom of the pail without growing a large root mass in the pail. Not what you want, you want your roots in the pail that's why from the top.

How much to use, depends on each plant, you do need to get the water down to the bottom and that's what you need to figger out. Your options are #1 pick up the pail when dry and again after watering, you do this enough and you will know what they need.

#2 get a moisture meter from any big box store 2 to 4$.

Just an observation but a 7 gal does not = 2 gal or 1 gal of water, each plant is different.

When I used 5 gal I always watered when dry and would water till I had 1 gal of runoff. I was using Pro-mix and you can't just pour water in one spot of the pot, you need to get good coverage all over the top to make sure it get everywhere. Put some pro-mix in a clear tall glass and pour some water in it you will see what I mean. I never had any algae problems? Do you have a fan gently blowing across the tops of the pails? If not that should fix that issue.

[FONT=times new roman, times][FONT=times new roman, times][/FONT][/FONT] Do not let plants sit in excess water. The bottom layer of soil becomes saturated when a plant continuously sits in water. Any roots growing in this saturated layer will die. The soil available for plant growth is thus reduced.


Peace

woodsmaneh! said:

I think your fine alternating top to bottom, thats the best of both worlds, just don't bottom feed all the time. I put some of me IMHO info below.

When you water from the bottom you stretch the roots and it makes them come out the holes in the bottom of the pail without growing a large root mass in the pail. Not what you want, you want your roots in the pail that's why from the top.

How much to use, depends on each plant, you do need to get the water down to the bottom and that's what you need to figger out. Your options are #1 pick up the pail when dry and again after watering, you do this enough and you will know what they need.

#2 get a moisture meter from any big box store 2 to 4$.

Just an observation but a 7 gal does not = 2 gal or 1 gal of water, each plant is different.

When I used 5 gal I always watered when dry and would water till I had 1 gal of runoff. I was using Pro-mix and you can't just pour water in one spot of the pot, you need to get good coverage all over the top to make sure it get everywhere. Put some pro-mix in a clear tall glass and pour some water in it you will see what I mean. I never had any algae problems? Do you have a fan gently blowing across the tops of the pails? If not that should fix that issue.

Do not let plants sit in excess water. The bottom layer of soil becomes saturated when a plant continuously sits in water. Any roots growing in this saturated layer will die. The soil available for plant growth is thus reduced.


Peace

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yeah sounds about right, I water every 3 gallons of soil with one gallon of water. that seems to work best. yeah each plant will feed differently but they all should get on the same page and suck up at the same time wouldnt you agree? or at least mine do

Nope I find that by week 5 they are on their own water schedule. Some need more than the others thats why I moved to raised beds 4x5x1. Now maybe with a few plants it's not so bad but I grew a few hundred in pots and it drove me nuts for years till I changed. IMHO

Peace

Im growing in 7 Gallon pots also becuz dude at my local hydro store recommended it, and he said to use 1-2 gallons of water per pot. But he also told me to use this size since im growing with a 1000w hps. Yeah there bigger pots but i think it will pay off in the end. First grow with these size pots, so well see how they work out.

dankganja559 said:

Im growing in 7 Gallon pots also becuz dude at my local hydro store recommended it, and he said to use 1-2 gallons of water per pot. But he also told me to use this size since im growing with a 1000w hps. Yeah there bigger pots but i think it will pay off in the end. First grow with these size pots, so well see how they work out.

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for every 3 gallons of soil water with 1 gallon of water so in your case 2 gallons. trust me iv been growing in soil for years and this works best. you wont get any build up

MrStickyScissors said:

for every 3 gallons of soil water with 1 gallon of water so in your case 2 gallons. trust me iv been growing in soil for years and this works best. you wont get any build up

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extactly what im doing. I worked my way up though from 2 liters each to 2 gallons each. how often do you water? i am using nuets but only once a week(every sunday), and water one time in between with just water(weds). seems to be working well.

Never even thought there was any other way to water.

dankganja559 said:

extactly what im doing. I worked my way up though from 2 liters each to 2 gallons each. how often do you water? i am using nuets but only once a week(every sunday), and water one time in between with just water(weds). seems to be working well.

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only water when your pot is sucked up. so pick your pot up when its has water to feel how heavy it is then when you pick it up and its light and the top soil is dry you water it. or you can wait tell it limps just a little the first time to make sure its feeding well. thats what I do

I'm a total newbie with my first grow on... I'm 15 days in from seed, should I be switching to another pot already. I'm using those large red party cups? my plants are about 2-3 inches and a little bushy?

I Love Indica said:

I'm a total newbie with my first grow on... I'm 15 days in from seed, should I be switching to another pot already. I'm using those large red party cups? my plants are about 2-3 inches and a little bushy?

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no let them build a gud root system. wait tell they start sucking up the water in a days time. once they start doing that they got a gud root system going. and next time get clear cups so you can see the roots. what kind of bud is that in your avatar. man that shit looks gud. is it grand daddy or purple kush

MrStickyScissors said:

only water when your pot is sucked up. so pick your pot up when its has water to feel how heavy it is then when you pick it up and its light and the top soil is dry you water it. or you can wait tell it limps just a little the first time to make sure its feeding well. thats what I do

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i do wait till the soil is dry, im running a 1000w so it drys up very fast.

MrStickyScissors said:

so pick your pot up when its has water to feel how heavy it is

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You can pick yours up???

Sorry, forgetting this is the indoor forum.