I'm not sure if my babies are getting water

[GanjaJedi]

Hey,
I've got 5.25in pots on an ebbflo table which I let flood for 30 twice a day. The top of the soil in the pot isn't moist and when I reach down it doesn't really feel that moist. Please help is this bad?

 

[sunnyside]

well if you've got soil in an ebb n flow system it really isnt ideal... saying that if you are using soil it should feel moist after a 30 minute cycle...I am confused?

 

[GanjaJedi]

No no sorry about that I have a coconut coir perilite mix with some other soilless amendments

 

[GanjaJedi]

No no sorry about that I have a coconut coir perilite mix with some other soilless amendments my bad what can I say I'm a stoner

 

[sunnyside]

do what I do...use the weight of the pots as a gauge...lift them up when they are dry, then again after a watering cycle. You should notice a difference. This is very effective in soil gardens, i'm sure it will work for your situation as well.

 

[GanjaJedi]

The pot is definetly heavier I just don't know if the roots are getting the moisture I'm paranoid this is my first

 

[sunnyside]

if the pot is gaining weight...the roots are more than likely getting the water they need. Don't try and overdo it....that is a common mistake with new growers. good luck

 

[Guest]

Sunnyside is right on. Worst thing for a beginner is overwatering, trust me, I lost quite a few in the beggining due to overwatering. Just remember, the roots will search out the water. Best way for roots to grow is down. Like SS said, use a dry pot with a wet pot and compare the diffrence in weight. After a week or less you will be able to pick up a pot and tell whether it needs water or not.

Keep it green, and don't get discouraged. We are all here too help you florish as a grower. Don't hesitate to ask any questions.

DirtySouth

 

[GanjaJedi]

Thanks for all the input sunny and southside, is a 30 min flood too long?

 

[Guest]

I flood for 15 minutes 4 times a day (every 3 hours, no flooding during lights out). 30 minutes flood is OK, won't hurt anything. I use hydroton so I flood more.

 

[CalcioErba2004]

I flood for 15 minutes 4 times a day (every 3 hours, no flooding during lights out). 30 minutes flood is OK, won't hurt anything. I use hydroton so I flood more.

I 2nd this. 4 times a day for 15 minutes works awesome. Also dont worry if the water doesnt go all the way to the top, roots grow down not up.

 

[GanjaJedi]

Ok so 4 15s a day seems like what the future is going to bring, but when they're small in first week of veg, is 2 a day cool?

 

[sunnyside]

The cycles that Calcio and South gave you are for hydroton or similiar repellant medias...coco/perlite is different. Coco is going to be more of an absorbant than a repellant, so play with your cycles. You want to wait until your roots dry out a bit before you irrigate again. If not you will run into root problems. Do a search for coco and see if you can find any usefull info. My guess would be that you will irrigate less than 4 times per day, but I am not a coco user so it is just a guess. Hope I didnt confuse you any more