First grow/CFL stealth cab/Short Rider

sonar

Well-Known Member
Hey buddy I didn't want to crowd up chainseeker's page anymore and wanted to help you out with your watering.

The problem is, a drooping plant can be a symptom of both underwatering and overwatering. I know that probably doesn't make much sense, but between what I've read and what I've personally experienced, it is true. From those pics though, it does look like they can use a drink. Do you see in the 2nd and 3rd pics how the soil is pulling away from the side of the cup? The soil looks almost like one solid mass. That is what Joker was talking about the other day with checking the sides.

The frequency of watering and the amount is based on several factors. First of all, the size of the plant. A larger plant will obviously need more water. Second is the amount of soil. A larger volume of soil will naturally hold more water. Third, is the type of soil. Like I mentioned before, I never used that FFOF soil, but I would imagine it holds its water well. Another thing is the temperature. Hotter temps will evaporate water quicker and also, I believe, cause the plant to use more water. Another thing is wind. Do you have any fans going in the room? That also causes water loss. I was using those Jiffy peat pots, and I noticed I was losing a lot more water when I had fans going since the peat pot is pretty much part of the soil, so more surface area was exposed to the moving air. All of these factors contribute to how often you will need to water.

Explain your watering technique. When you water, how much water do you use? When I water in the peat pots, I slowly add water until the sides of the peat pot become saturated and a LITTLE bit of water comes out the bottom. You want to water until the soil is completely saturated.

One last thing, you mentioned transplanting. It's hard to see in the pics, but those are 16oz beer cups filled about 3/4 of the way right? Personally I think they look fine for now, but probably want to transfer into its final home within the next week or two. At least before it starts flowering hard. I don't like the idea of transplanting a flowering plant. Sorry I don't have any experience with short rider, but 2 gallon pots should probably be more than enough. BTW, when you transplant it, it's better to do it when the soil is dry. When the soil is dry, it forms together and you can probably pull the current soil out in one solid mass. Know what I mean? I'm no growing professional, but these are all just some things I learned over the past few months.
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
Hey buddy I didn't want to crowd up chainseeker's page anymore and wanted to help you out with your watering.

The problem is, a drooping plant can be a symptom of both underwatering and overwatering. I know that probably doesn't make much sense, but between what I've read and what I've personally experienced, it is true. From those pics though, it does look like they can use a drink. Do you see in the 2nd and 3rd pics how the soil is pulling away from the side of the cup? The soil looks almost like one solid mass. That is what Joker was talking about the other day with checking the sides..

The frequency of watering and the amount is based on several factors. First of all, the size of the plant. A larger plant will obviously need more water. Second is the amount of soil. A larger volume of soil will naturally hold more water. Third, is the type of soil. Like I mentioned before, I never used that FFOF soil, but I would imagine it holds its water well. Another thing is the temperature. Hotter temps will evaporate water quicker and also, I believe, cause the plant to use more water. Another thing is wind. Do you have any fans going in the room? That also causes water loss. I was using those Jiffy peat pots, and I noticed I was losing a lot more water when I had fans going since the peat pot is pretty much part of the soil, so more surface area was exposed to the moving air. All of these factors contribute to how often you will need to water..
I really appreciate the info sonar!! I've been doing a lot of reading the past few weeks and have learned a shit ton thats for sure!! Your right last night it didn't make any sense lol but now I think I'm getting it.

Yesterday I couldn't have been more paranoid about over/underwatering and it was hard to believe that it could make such a difference, even with all the info I've read about it. Now I see that it can be the difference between a nice perky plant and a droppy curled plant wether its overwatered or underwatered. Fortunately I was able to get a lot of help from you guys and see it with my own eyes and I must say that over and underwatering is not easy to troubleshoot if your a complete newb to growing anything like me!

With that being said, I pretty much have been watering like you described. Until the water drains out the bottom, "I may have been guilty of putting a little to much water the first week or so but as of now I just litely water them until they get a slow drip out of the bottom." I was watering them everyday before I noticed I was overwatering. The pots are just little plastic actual plant pots, not sure the size.. If I had to guess I would say 1Liter or so and the soil is filled up between 1/2 - 3/4. Yes I do have an ocillating fan blowing right at the plants so this could be a factor that I didn't think about aswell. The temps have been holding 81-85 with the lights on and 77-80 with them off. There still on 20/4 light/dark too, not sure if that matters..

Explain your watering technique. When you water, how much water do you use? When I water in the peat pots, I slowly add water until the sides of the peat pot become saturated and a LITTLE bit of water comes out the bottom. You want to water until the soil is completely saturated.

One last thing, you mentioned transplanting. It's hard to see in the pics, but those are 16oz beer cups filled about 3/4 of the way right? Personally I think they look fine for now, but probably want to transfer into its final home within the next week or two. At least before it starts flowering hard. I don't like the idea of transplanting a flowering plant. Sorry I don't have any experience with short rider, but 2 gallon pots should probably be more than enough. BTW, when you transplant it, it's better to do it when the soil is dry. When the soil is dry, it forms together and you can probably pull the current soil out in one solid mass. Know what I mean? I'm no growing professional, but these are all just some things I learned over the past few months.
I've been watering them in the afternoon, about 3 or 4 hours after the lights come back on. I was thinking of changing this to right before they get some rest, what do you think?

I'm also using rain water and just to give you an idea I just watered them "2" and they took about 750 mL which is equal to 25.3 oz..?? Seems like a lot but I think they were extra dry from sitting all yesterday. What do you think? did I miss anything? Thanks again for the help and I'll definitely transplant when the soil is a little dry instead of wet! I learned the hardway with this once already but luckily it survived..

I have zero exp with soil grows, but I am subbed for yours!!
Thanks for joining JP! I'll be more than happy if I even get close to what you where able to produce..
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
No I havent seen that yet, thats Fin crazy.. Its funny you posted that cause I was watching jose cervantes ultimate grow last night and he showed a little plant that was like 2 feet tall in a little cup like that and I was like wtf lol... It was rootbound but it was still in veg.. I guess I don't have to transplant for a couple weeks, I just dont want to screw anything up when it comes to flowering, this being my first time and all.. That is pretty awesome that you can produce that much plant/bud in such a little container.. Thanks for the link homie!!

BTW Droopy is looking a lot better, I realized that everytime I noticed it curling up I would think oh it must need water.. Now I realize that wasn't the case, I'm just glad with the help of you guys and this awesome forum I was able to figure out what the hell I was doing wrong. I'm about to throw up a couple more pics in a little seeing its there 2 week birthday tomorrow!! :)

Here's a quick comparison from week one to week 2
 

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justparanoid

Well-Known Member
Sicc's party cup grow is amazing, I've learned alot from his posts.

Your plants are coming along nicely. Were these femmed seeds?

I grew my short rider in a 5 inch net cup, dwc style so i didn't have to worry about watering. I am terrible about watering plants so dwc made sense for me. I respect soil growers, knowing when to water is critical. It's almost an art to get it just right.

JP
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
You arn't kidding JP, I wasn't expecting it to be this in depth. I'm gonna have to take the time to glance through his whole thread I'm sure I could learn a lot from it!!

No unfortunatly I ordered the regular seeds, I do still have 3 seeds if the two outdoor plants and these don't turn out female I should still have a chance lol.. I'm really hoping one of the two "indoors" are female though. Only time will tell, thanks for the compliment. I'm just starting to understand the basics with watering, Its crazy how easy it is to overwater..

Eventually I will convert over to hydro to try both but for now I need to learn how to work with soil first lol..
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
Alright its offically there birthday and I bought them a present:)

PH and moisture tester from home depot for 10.00.. Not sure how acurate it is but right after I watered "thirsty" the ph was right at 6.9.. And the moisture level was in between ideal and too low. Before I watered it was almost all the way down to the to low line.
 

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chainseeker

Well-Known Member
It's funny I think peeps that start in soil are afraid of hydro and peeps that start in hydro are afraid of soil. I'm afraid of hydro I know, it seems so complicated.
 

Concord Dawn

Well-Known Member
Alright its offically there birthday and I bought them a present:)

PH and moisture tester from home depot for 10.00.. Not sure how acurate it is but right after I watered "thirsty" the ph was right at 6.9.. And the moisture level was in between ideal and too low. Before I watered it was almost all the way down to the to low line.
i use one of those and for a cheap plastic meter, i think it was pretty descent. ph was close as a test kit and the moisture thingy worked good to.
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
It's funny I think peeps that start in soil are afraid of hydro and peeps that start in hydro are afraid of soil. I'm afraid of hydro I know, it seems so complicated.
So true lmao..

i use one of those and for a cheap plastic meter, i think it was pretty descent. ph was close as a test kit and the moisture thingy worked good to.
Yea I was worried it wasn't going to be that acurate because they have those high dollar ones and this was cheap. It seems to be doing its job though so for now I guess its better then nothing.


Quick question, with poking the probes in the soil could i damage the root to the point where it would stunt the growth? Or am I looking to far into this??
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
So I took Droopy out and decided to check the roots and transplant, Figured I would throw up some pics and get your opinions. I also took some picture of the node spacing, shits getting bushy!!
 

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justparanoid

Well-Known Member
So I took Droopy out and decided to check the roots and transplant, Figured I would throw up some pics and get your opinions. I also took some picture of the node spacing, shits getting bushy!!
Showing good spacing, what size pot did you transplant them to?
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
I just trasplanted "droopy," it was a little ahead of "thristy." so I figured I'd give it another week before I transfer her.. Its a 3 gal pot, figured I'd go big. :eyesmoke:

I'm wondering how long its going to take to show the sex now. Its day 15, I'm hoping in another 2 weeks i will know.
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
Sweet! Thanks for letting me know. If I remember correctly you switched to 12/12 for a little while though right? You think that effected it at all?
 

justparanoid

Well-Known Member
I cant really say if my putting them on 12/12 did anything or if it was just the right time since it was so close to 30 days when i flipped them. I was afraid they would get too tall and not be true autoflowers.
Now i believe they just sexed on time, independent to what i was doing with the light.
 

Concord Dawn

Well-Known Member
mine showed male at 30, and female at 35, just wondering, you did break the rootball up a little before putting it back in the soil right?
 
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