Topping/Water consumption

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Rock.A.Roo

Well-Known Member
Hey everyone!
I want to slow down my plants water intake while I'm gone for four to five days...
Growing in soil, they are 6 weeks into veg and I have not topped them yet... it seems like I've been watering every few days, so I don't want to keep them this way for five days... I'm also not ready to transplant them to their final pot...
Would topping slow down water consumption, or would it increase it?
In my head, it would slow it down, but on the other hand, I'm somewhat thinking it might increase due to them trying to recover...
I've never really paid any attention in the past...
 
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waterproof808

Well-Known Member
Transplanting into a larger pot will buy you more time than trying to slow water consumption in too small of a pot. You can add a thick layer of mulch to control evaporation but thats about it besides intentionally stunting your plant.
The other option is to use a simple drip system or moisture wicking set up to keep your soil moist.
 
Southside112

Southside112

Well-Known Member
Interesting question. Water intake has more to do with root ball size, plant size, humidity etc. 6 week plant should be pretty good size and I can't imagine you making it 5 days without watering especially considering they need a transplant. Smaller containers definitely need watering more often.
 
spliffendz

spliffendz

Well-Known Member
I would assume putting a very weak light on them would slow the photosynthesis down making them drink less but I may be wrong
 
Boatguy

Boatguy

Well-Known Member
Rock.A.Roo said:
Hey everyone!
I want to slow down my plants water intake while I'm gone for four to five days...
Growing in soil, they are 6 weeks into veg and I have not topped them yet... it seems like I've been watering every few days, so I don't want to keep them this way for five days... I'm also not ready to transplant them to their final pot...
Would topping slow down water consumption, or would it increase it?
In my head, it would slow it down, but on the other hand, I'm somewhat thinking it might increase due to them trying to recover...
I've never really paid any attention in the past...
Click to expand...
You may be able to set up a wick style setup without any major disruption of growth
https://www.gardening4joy.com/diy-wick-watering-system/
 
HydroKid239

HydroKid239

Well-Known Member
Another cheap trick you can do is cut out a piece of cardboard with a hole in the center to accommodate your stem and cover the pot with the cardboard. Less water evaporation from the light.
 
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Rock.A.Roo

Well-Known Member
Thank you everyone for the replies!
I spent a good part of the night setting up my flowering tent to get them ready for the transplant.
I didn't want to do it until I got back, but it seemed like the best option...
 
Hobbes

Hobbes

Well-Known Member
.

Rock.a.roo remember that when you repot the plant is not going to use the moisture in the new soil because it hasn't grown roots into the wetness yet. You're basically repotting into a soil pot for the first week or two.

Be sure to soak the inner root ball before you leave.

.
 
R

Rock.A.Roo

Well-Known Member
Hobbes said:
.

Rock.a.roo remember that when you repot the plant is not going to use the moisture in the new soil because it hasn't grown roots into the wetness yet. You're basically repotting into a soil pot for the first week or two.

Be sure to soak the inner root ball before you leave.

.
Click to expand...
Hey! How the hell are ya!?!? Lol! I'm baked...
My mind has been driving me crazy all day! I have to ask!
What do you mean when you said this:
"You're basically repotting into a soil pot for the first week or two."
 
Hobbes

Hobbes

Well-Known Member
Rock.A.Roo said:
What do you mean when you said this:
"You're basically repotting into a soil pot for the first week or two."
Click to expand...
.

The roots of your plant take time to grow into the new soil, when they'll take water and nutrients to feed the plant.

Before the roots grow into the new soil you're basically growing from the smaller older rootball.

So the new soil can be wet while the old root ball is dry.

.

I'm just starting to get high for my day too!

.
 
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