Trying to not over water

[Fultono]

Hey folks. Quick question that's baffling me.
Everyday I water my week old girls and they are dry beyond dry. I feed them a couple ounces of water before work and I get home to dust lol. I know I'm pulling all the water out from my CFL's so my question is, is it an issue to soak them 3 times a day in the solo cups till I transfer them to larger pots next week? They are not discolouring at all so clearly the lack of water isn't causing much problem besides slowing them down? I'm thinking out loud on the last question so feel free to help with some answers.

My first indor grow from seed and I certainly don't want to over water.

 

[GrowinDad]

When you water, do so until you get some runoff. Water slowly around the sides so it absorbs in.

I have three in solo cups about exactly the same age. they are in MG seed starter with about 30%added perlite. Mine seem to need it every third day but I am under LED. i recall it being the same under cfl. I water when i start to see the ends dry and pull away from the cup.

 

[ink the world]

Your soil is drying up because you aren't fully watering those plants. The water isn't reaching the bottom of the soil because you're giving such a small amount each time.

Water until runoff..really let all the roots get a good soak .I usually have to water every 3-4 days

 

[lilroach]

assuming that you have drainage holes at the bottom......put a couple of inches of water in a bowl and set your container in the water and let it sit for about 5 minutes. The soil will soak up the water and you should be good to go for the day. I like doing it this way because it doesn't knock down your seedling every time you water and it's my opinion that it promotes root growth (I could be wrong on that, but it works for me).

 

[Pop The Trunk]

Yup fully water the pot, set it and forget it.

 

[Fultono]

That's exactly been my problem guys. Nothing has been running off out of fear of drowning. I like the idea of letting the bottoms sit in some water in a pale to absorb through the holes in the base up.

Thanks guys. Obviously I'm not going to over water based on these suggestions.

Thanks again

 

[Adjorr]

agree with the above posts, water the whole pot until there is run off and then let it dry out all the way before watering again. investing ina cheap little 5 dollar moisture meter can go along way with knowing when to water, without it its hard to know how much moisture is in the bottom of the pots, people say to use your finger or to lift the pots but these aren't as reliable as a moisture meter

 

[Fultono]

Anywhere non hydro I can find one of these Aaj?

 

[Adjorr]

for sure, any hardware store or gardening center should have them, or u can get them on ebay pretty cheap. I got a 3 in 1 moisture ph and light meter off ebay for less then 10 bucks shipping included, the ph part dosent really work though but the moisture part does and that's what I really bought it for

 

[Fultono]

Thanks pal, ill grab one after work

 

[spek9]

Another vote for water heavily, then let dry out. Your soil may have hardened due to excessively small feedings, which prevents the soil from holding moisture, it will likely just run straight through the drain holes.

Water heavily, leave some in the tray underneath, and let the soil naturally suck it back in.

After a few waterings, you should find things much more acceptable. Water completely and heavily, then you shouldn't have to water for three days (possibly two due to heat etc).

-spek

 

[lime73]

if soil is dry ....water them til soil is totally saturated or soaked ....then allow them to dry out, should take awhile to dry out, you should not be watering every day, you are actually under-watering you plants.

over-watering is when you water your plant til soil is saturated and you Don't wait til soil is dry, and then water again...thats over-watering.

its ok to "drowned" them if soil is dry ( will not hurt them, as long as you have drain holes, the excess water will drain out ) you need to get the soil totally saturated ...then let them dry out for a few days until they are almost completely dry and repeat.

 

[lime73]

also you can add a drop of dish soap(non-scented) to your water ....it will help soil to absorb water, especially after being dry all the time.... you will want to basically flush soil out to remove any toxic build up in the soil.

 

[giggle stick]

Dam roach that's a good idea it makes a lot of sence it would promote root growth

 

[Fultono]

Lime, can you give me a little more info on flushing the soil please. I'm using half solo cups with holes in the bottom so were not talking a large amout of soil in each cup. Thanks

 

[lime73]

Lime, can you give me a little more info on flushing the soil please. I'm using half solo cups with holes in the bottom so were not talking a large amout of soil in each cup. Thanks

you have not been giving enough water to completely saturate the soil, sometimes this can lead to other problems if you are not giving enough water( dry pockets in soil), so by soaking them( run water slowly til it drains out bottom/let sit a few minutes then add more til water comes out clean/not yellow)
it will insure that they are getting enough water to get rid of anything that may be building up in your soil from under-watering.
when soil is too dry and you water... it will come out bottom instantly, and the soil will not have time to soak it all up.

basically you are going to give more water to your plants than you have been...this will show you that giving them a whole bunch of water at one time will not harm them, long as you wait til soil almost dry before giving any water again you will be good, which should take a few days.

 

[lime73]

over-watering is when you water your plant and soil is still wet... this is bad!

when a plant needs watering (soil is dry) you can add all the water you want... all excess will drain out. this is good! its not overwatering