Question about watering?

I have three plants under 4 CFLs (not sure what wattage) and right now they are about 4 inches tall and in large plastic dixie cups with average organic potting soil with sand. I have heard that you should water them every three days and I try to but it seems like after only one day the soil is completely dry and I think I should water them but I don't know if that would be a good idea??

Im having the same issue with the soil drying up fast, I have been watering every day, but im not sure either. So im gonna watch this thread because I am as interested as you are.

theres no set amount of water or time schedule. size, age, container size, soil texture , temperature, humidity, and ventilation contribute to water usage.

but in your situation since your container is so small and your root system is small water as soon as surface soil dries

If it's dry a fingertip deep (in a small container) water it, thoroughly when you do.
There is no "every X amount of hours" to watering. It varies. Different lights. Heat. Etc.

so put ur finger like a half inch in the soil, if its dry, water? that what u mean by fingertip depth?

if you have a larger more mature plant with large root system wait till about one half inch is dry

PFC420 said:

if you have a larger more mature plant with large root system wait till about one half inch is dry

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what about seedlings or plants that are barely coming out of the soil

just if surface soil is dry moisten it...dont go overboard...you might wanna put holes in your dixie cup for drainage so you will not have to worry about overwatering as much

small plants need to be watered often but with very little water

if you cannot tell pick up a moisturemeter for less than 30

PFC420 said:

if you cannot tell pick up a moisturemeter for less than 30

Click to expand...

Yeah I was gonna tell him the same thing. I've been using one for over 25 years, takes all the guessing out of gardening.
Drying out over 3 days sounds about right. You did cut drainage holes out the bottom right ?

You should never stick your finger in the soil, especially an inch deep lest you disturb the roots and contaminate the soil. I don't like moisture meters because they require you to puncture the soil, thus disturbance and you lessen the amount of grow room for roots and you already have limited space with a dixie cup.

I suggest to pick it up and if it feels light and the surface appears dry then water it until the soil stops sucking down the water after about a second. I suggest you literally spoon feed the plant its water so that you will never over water your plants and you can also get a feel for how much you need.

Cut holes in the bottom if you haven't already, just in case you slip up and do over water it, because the water will just drain out, but this is bad.

You should never give your plant so much water that it finds water near the bottom or sides of your vessel. You will cause root bound and hurt the growth of your plant and even kill it as it tangles its self.

Just give it a little at a time, just near the base of the stem and out about .5 to 1.0 inches in diameter and you should be OK.

I have drainage holes in the bottom , mine are still seeds and prolly gonna pop out of the soil in the next day or two. I've been watering it until I see water dripping out of the drainage holes, but this is bad to do you say?

socom3riot said:

I have drainage holes in the bottom ,I've been watering it until I see water dripping out of the drainage holes, but this is bad to do you say?

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no I intentially over water so that it runs out good helps freshen up the soil from old nutrients building up. But you never water just because you think you should if the seeds aren't even up they aren't going to dry out for a week or more.
Oh and about the meter, so what if you cut a root, they grow back faster some where else that's all.
You can get cheap ones for around $7, better than nothing I say.

I recycle old soil too, but I typically just till it by hand and don't bother with soaking it... I do a little but not that much.

Well, cutting a root when it is young means it is hindered severely. He has a dixie cup, how big do you think the roots will get? He could cut threw a whole group and severely damage the plant and slow its growth dramatically. Not worth it. Just lift it and determine, water when dry.

Yes I have holes in the bottom, and I am close to transplatting into three gallon pots. I just watered them because they were extremely dry and I think it's alright... I have abou 75-80F temp and around 60% humidity if this has anything with it going dry which with the high humidity idk why it would that quick. Or maybe the young plant is drinking up most of the water?

I think I may have put too much perlite/vermiculite in my soil mix, cuz this shit dries up mad fast. I'll water at like 3pm , and the next day by 3pm that dixie cup is pretty much totally dry.

short term memory... I forgot to say that you should make sure your water is warm. Not only do your water soluble minerals mix better but the soil accepts it quicker and the roots appreciate it. Not too hot. Take a swig (before adding nutes) and if it burns, then it is too hot; a little less than bath water should be good. Good luck man, hope it is a girl.

EDIT: I water mine everyday.

My water stands in a container and I water with a spray bottle so its room temperature and it helps me control how much I water it with.

make sure u got good drainage