Drybacks. Do you do intentional drybacks?

[Tmik]

I’ve done probably too many accidental drybacks. (Soil grow) but never intentionally.

Do you ever do drybacks on purpose?
Why do that?
When do you do it?

 

[Ca++]

Making the plant think water is scarce, will make it think about either growing a bigger root system, or moving from veg to bloom. It really depends on a few things, but in the full swing of veg, the plant will root more in preparation of it happening again. Big roots systems are good, so this is an advantage.
Into bloom it gets risky. The plant is done with being the best it can be in those terms. Now against the clock, it will probably see a water shortage as reason to rush. In early bloom this might be a useful nudge, but you don't want to kill any roots, and dry roots don't last long at all.
By mid bloom, isn't not going to be a good idea. They have given up on repairing roots, and will just do what they can, with what they have. Indicate that a long summer is about to kill them, and they won't want to fill out, and may even think about herming.

Studies suggest a couple of deeper dry backs through veg, and maybe one during transition, is the most likely route to successful crop steering

No.. never tried it on purpose. The most outstanding evidence revolves around the damage it causes into flower. With the gain of more roots in veg, being a bit uncertain. I myself, don't really want to spend time diverting my plants efforts into bigger roots. Which then may lead to a bigger plant, undoing my efforts. I veg into a screen, and really don't want big roots leading to greater competition. It just doesn't suit me.

 

[ChefGreen]

I’ve done probably too many accidental drybacks. (Soil grow) but never intentionally.

Do you ever do drybacks on purpose?
Why do that?
When do you do it?

1. Yes
2. To force stronger rooting systems
3. Once per week
4. No more than 50% dry back ( Bio365 soil, DTE amends)

The plant does not have droopy leaves, the grow bag is just “light” if that makes sense. If organic, consistent dry dry backs can lower the level of microbial activity in the soil. So it’s more of a timed thing.

In salts, it’s different… dry back no more than 20-30% due it being able to control the EC in the soil ( dry back with zero runoff = higher EC) ( runoff 10/15% = lower EC in media).