Run off for coco/ perlite 70/ 30

calvin.m16

Well-Known Member
Yes I get you I just have never grown this long in such all pots usually use 20l uk pots and sont vwg this long so wanted to get an idea qhat people water to get x amount off run off with having ao many changes this grow I wanted to try and make sure I'm getting enough run off so if I see problems arise I could possibly rule that out
The problem is I don't think there is any "right amount" of runoff. Some seems to be right in most scenarios. Don't overthink it too much.
 

Thisguy-4'

Active Member
Coco tends to become acidic as it breaks down IME. I had problems with pH being acidic and you just reminded me to top dress dolomite lime on my plot before spring. Rain I believe is usually acidic I know a lot of farmers around here spread dolomite lime on their fields.
I'm glad you said that because I've reused mine from last one how many times would you reuse and so you use anything to help break down the roots or do you not need to also after a while would you just mix that with some fresh coco and for the ph how would you test it just wash with filtered water then let sit and test ph
 

Thisguy-4'

Active Member
The problem is I don't think there is any "right amount" of runoff. Some seems to be right in most scenarios. Don't overthink it too much.
Thanks I think that'd what got me this far tbh I've tried not to jump straight in when problems come up sometimes less is better or Could end up going round in circles
 

medidedicated

Well-Known Member
If I had to say, I water about 1.2 to 1.7 gallons and get about .5 to .7 of a gallon of runoff. 3 gallon pot.

I water in a hurry so the .7 is by mistake because it was not running off then suddenly gushed out a half gallon or etc. Half gallon if I tried.

I was under impression pot shouldn’t be bone dry and acoustic when tapping it.

Dry backs vary with enviorment but if I had to say, that is about what I put/get since I technically did not answer that which is the original question.

When I water each time of the 3x a day, coco looks more than moderately dry and bone dry in the morning.
 
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Thisguy-4'

Active Member
If I had to say, I water about 1.2 to 1.7 gallons and get about half gallon to .5 to .7 of a gallon of runoff.

I was under impression pot shouldn’t be bone dry and acoustic when tapping it.

Dry backs vary with enviorment but if I had to say, that is about what I put/get since I technically did not answer that which is the original question.

When I water each time of the 3x a day, coco looks more than moderately dry and bone dry in the morning.
I have 5 plants each in 10l pots I gave them each 3l before and collected about 5l and could of been another litre left usually I give 2l mine don't seem to dry out unless I don't feed within 2 hours light on but that's just recent now they have stretched I water once a day but think I'll have to feed twice a day at some point
 

medidedicated

Well-Known Member
I have 5 plants each in 10l pots I gave them each 3l before and collected about 5l and could of been another litre left usually I give 2l mine don't seem to dry out unless I don't feed within 2 hours light on but that's just recent now they have stretched I water once a day but think I'll have to feed twice a day at some point
Mid flower to late flower, mine and a lot of strains if not most if I recall correctly, get thirsty as heck in those phases and then suddenly take up less when their ripe.

When I water, it is like wetting a dry sponge, then I get a good flow going so I know it evenly saturated it, and is now flushing it a little bit.

Otherwise I am pretty sure I did not notice pockets where the water makes a stream through the coco and leaves areas not well flushed and instead like a patch of runoff.

Patch of soaked up runoff that will get wet, yes, as coco acts like a wick, but still needs to be evenly saturated. That is my opinion though.

Playing with minimal runoff gave me problems for sure one time until I started doing as described.
 

Thisguy-4'

Active Member
Mid flower to late flower, mine and a lot of strains if not most if I recall correctly, get thirsty as heck in those phases and then suddenly take up less when their ripe.

When I water, it is like wetting a dry sponge, then I get a good flow going so I know it evenly saturated it, and is now flushing it a little bit.

Otherwise I am pretty sure I did not notice pockets where the water makes a stream through the coco and leaves areas not well flushed and instead like a patch of runoff.

Patch of soaked up runoff that will get wet, yes, as coco acts like a wick, but still needs to be evenly saturated. That is my opinion though.

Playing with minimal runoff gave me problems for sure one time until I started doing as described.
Yes I know what you mean coco can get hydrophobic when dry I think these are abit rootbound but I'm not getting a mat of roots on top which I have before in 20l pots but not sure if that's because I had them in saucers and would ket them soak some feed back up while also my friend not watering them enough with these the top layer will all mix in with the water
 

medidedicated

Well-Known Member
Yes I know what you mean coco can get hydrophobic when dry I think these are abit rootbound but I'm not getting a mat of roots on top which I have before in 20l pots but not sure if that's because I had them in saucers and would ket them soak some feed back up while also my friend not watering them enough with these the top layer will all mix in with the water
The peat and dust in it can be, thats why I prepare my own so it is buffered and coarse pieces, very spongy. I rinse the pearlite too.

A5E2379A-E326-4159-97D0-32BEA7D9EB62.jpeg

I put 90/10 pealite but if it were higher ratios, it would run right through it. Pearlite I have for better flow but that is it. It wouldn’t make it twice a day feed for me if it were 70/30 or 50/50 coco/pearlite.
 
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Thisguy-4'

Active Member
The peat and dust in it can be, thats why I prepare my own so it is buffered and coarse pieces, very spongy. I rinse the pearlite too.

View attachment 5268079

I put 90/10 pealite but if it were higher ratios, it would run right through it. Pearlite I have for better flow but that is it. It wouldn’t make it twice a day feed for me.
I won't if I don't have too but these pots are about 10l in uk liters and I've had them growing far longer than I was going for when I decided to use them so if the tops drying out a 3 hours after lights on then there's s good chance later in flower I will need to feed more
 

Thisguy-4'

Active Member
Do you let your pots get bone dry?

Yes, agreed but sometimes I really wish it could water itself here and there.
No I try not too been caught out a couple times now they have grown more but was only ghe top layer I try to keep them slightly moist when I water and if I've potted into a big pot I will water just on the edge of where I think the roots usually just inside the coverage of the leaves but when they are still small ill adjust of quickly I change the speed of expanding the circle I water until I can just put it in
 

medidedicated

Well-Known Member
No I try not too been caught out a couple times now they have grown more but was only ghe top layer I try to keep them slightly moist when I water and if I've potted into a big pot I will water just on the edge of where I think the roots usually just inside the coverage of the leaves but when they are still small ill adjust of quickly I change the speed of expanding the circle I water until I can just put it in
I was wondering if 3-4 times a day is too much but as one said, never dry.

So I guess if it needs it, it needs it lol. Yea, I water in narrow pots so it goes down nice.

When I get halos, it will cover it even better than I can water it by hand.
 

Thisguy-4'

Active Member
I was wondering if 3-4 times a day is too much but as one said, never dry.

So I guess if it needs it, it needs it lol. Yea, I water in narrow pots so it goes down nice.

When I get halos, it will cover it even better than I can water it by hand.
If you go that route I suggest that you only start when you have a good root system but I'd advise to pot them up rather than going up in big sizes and also you would need to feed less ec because your feeding more often as long as the plants can transpire you could even check the run off ec to see how much is being used that's what I plan to do eventually a drain for each plant would be good if you had multiple strains I think
 
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