How much water to use?

[Gntlmnglfr]

Hello everyone, retired newbie starting first grow. I have 4 new clones just planted into 5 gallon fabric pots, filled with happy frog potting soil. Grow tent is 3 x 3 , 6 foot high. How much water should I put in each pot? 72F inside tent with 55% humidity. I gave each pot each a quart of water yesterday, but not sure that’s even enough. PH reading of 7, is this newbie panic?? Any advice greatly appreciate. Thanks

 

[Phytoplankton]

First, let's just say that overwatering kills far more plants than underwatering. Your temps are a little low, around 80 would be better. If the grow media is moist, pick up the pot, note the weight, when the pot feels "light", it's time to water, I water to about 10% runoff, however much that takes. When they're small, they don't need a lot of water. Also, don't chase PH in runoff from a soil grow, it'll drive you crazy and accomplish nothing. Happy frog is acidic. Are you PHing your input water (and nutes)?

 

[Gntlmnglfr]

First, let's just say that overwatering kills far more plants than underwatering. Your temps are a little low, around 80 would be better. If the grow media is moist, pick up the pot, note the weight, when the pot feels "light", it's time to water, I water to about 10% runoff, however much that takes. When they're small, they don't need a lot of water. Also, don't chase PH in runoff from a soil grow, it'll drive you crazy and accomplish nothing. Happy frog is acidic. Are you PHing your input water (and nutes)?

I haven’t mixed any nutrients with water as of yet, wasn’t sure to start adding it to soil. With 10% runoff, I assume you are referring to excess water coming out of bottom of grow bag, that’s why I was skeptical of adding to much water. I appreciate the reply, trying to learn much as I can. Thanks

 

[GreenNotYellow]

Ph should be like 5.5-7, but 7 is a borderline, try to not let it go any higher. The seeds won't just instantly die if it will be like 7.5 of course but that might cause them feel stressed and the genetic itself can bring you some surprises later on like early flowering or any crappy stuff

 

[Gntlmnglfr]

On nutrients mixture, what does 1-3ml/gallon mean? I understand mixing with water and it’s in ml, but 1-3 has me confused.

 

[coreywebster]

On nutrients mixture, what does 1-3ml/gallon mean? I understand mixing with water and it’s in ml, but 1-3 has me confused.

It means between 1ml and 3ml depending how heavy of a feeder or what stage they're at.

The happy frog shouldn't need anything straight away, then as nutrients in the soil deplet start adding with the water and slowly increase .

 

[HydoDan]

How To Water Cannabis Plants: A Comprehensive Guide - RQS Blog (royalqueenseeds.com)

 

[Phytoplankton]

I haven’t mixed any nutrients with water as of yet, wasn’t sure to start adding it to soil. With 10% runoff, I assume you are referring to excess water coming out of bottom of grow bag, that’s why I was skeptical of adding to much water. I appreciate the reply, trying to learn much as I can. Thanks

Yeah, about 10% of what you put in should run out into the catch pan, and of course don't let the bottom if the pots sit in water, raise them up on a blocks/2x4's etc. Happy Frog is not as heavily amended with nutes as Ocean Forest, so I'd start with MILD nutes after about 2 weeks, then see how the plants react and adjust accordingly.

 

[Nutty sKunK]

Clones into a 5 gal? Hope you know your stuff lol

1/5th of the pot volume for established plants.

obviously need to work your way up to that amount with a small plant

 

[conor c]

Clones into a 5 gal? Hope you know your stuff lol

1/5th of the pot volume for established plants.

obviously need to work your way up to that amount with a small plant

Aye most will tbh i prefer a big pot from the start with seeds but not with clones as they lack the taproot and like you said takes skill and experience to gauge it right its definitely harder for beginners to judge vs small pots when it comes to watering especially ime most will drown em that way

 

[KeyFinger]

Aye most will tbh i prefer a big pot from the start with seeds but not with clones as they lack the taproot and like you said takes skill and experience to gauge it right its definitely harder for beginners to judge vs small pots when it comes to watering especially ime most will drown em that way

Big pot for the clone? Clones are not getting that big usually, don't need a huge pot. Huge pot may also not be that good for the roots, I mean too big

 

[Gntlmnglfr]

Appreciate the replies, I assumed since VIVOSUN sent the 5 gallon pots, I would use them for clones

 

[conor c]

Big pot for the clone? Clones are not getting that big usually, don't need a huge pot. Huge pot may also not be that good for the roots, I mean too big

Thats why i said from seed not clone i wouldnt run pots so big with clones myself

 

[Gntlmnglfr]

Thats why i said from seed not clone i wouldnt run pots so big with clones myself

I appreciate the info, l figured with the clones having 3 inch roots and being 4-5 inches tall the 5 gallon pot would eliminate transplanting it in a few weeks, I’m making mistakes at my first attempt at growing indoors, back in early 70’s we just planted seeds outdoors and watered the stuff. Going forward I will put nutrients in. Thanks for info

 

[conor c]

I appreciate the info, l figured with the clones having 3 inch roots and being 4-5 inches tall the 5 gallon pot would eliminate transplanting it in a few weeks, I’m making mistakes at my first attempt at growing indoors, back in early 70’s we just planted seeds outdoors and watered the stuff. Going forward I will put nutrients in. Thanks for info

If you have a bit of experience with watering plants you will be ok its just harder with big pots to judge if folks are less experienced thats why most reccomend to pot up rather than grow in one pot all the way

 

[SBNDB]

Only water to runoff if you’re using salts. If you’re all dry fertilizer or “organic” or living soil you are just washing away the nutrients etc that the plant needs. My opinion.