Hi Bill,
That is the territory of thought that originally got my started with the giant breathing containers... As well as the introduction of H2O2 supplemented fertigations. The idea of hovering right there at optimum field saturation at all times is what I was after. I noticed that the average hydro farmer -with their ultra light mediums and near constant cycling- was growing circles around the average dirt farmer. I theorize that one of the reasons for this is the soils farmer basically throws away every 3rd day or so (depending on several factors) each time he waters, usually bringing the soil well beyond optimum saturation levels. Anybody whose tended plants grown in dirt for any length of time should notice the plant really starting to grow like banshees around the second day after watering, or thereabouts... Depending on soil density etc.
I'd guess the soil mix I'm using is at its optimum performance when it is holding approximately 70% of the amount of water it is capable of holding. One way to accomplish more time in this sweet zone is to break it up as you are suggesting.
If a 300 gallon container with an 8ft diameter plant in mid-July required 30 gallons of water every 3 days (say allowing it to reach 60% saturation before bringing it back up to 80%) then perhaps 10 gallons each day might be better still? Like that? It sounds good on paper and has worked well for me in the field too.
It is not without some kinks though, and is a bit difficult to fine tune. When I went that route, I found it necessary to do a deeper/"normal" watering at least occasionally. I guess what I am saying is that I never did fine tune it right, lol. But still, I do very much like the concept. -Tom
That is the territory of thought that originally got my started with the giant breathing containers... As well as the introduction of H2O2 supplemented fertigations. The idea of hovering right there at optimum field saturation at all times is what I was after. I noticed that the average hydro farmer -with their ultra light mediums and near constant cycling- was growing circles around the average dirt farmer. I theorize that one of the reasons for this is the soils farmer basically throws away every 3rd day or so (depending on several factors) each time he waters, usually bringing the soil well beyond optimum saturation levels. Anybody whose tended plants grown in dirt for any length of time should notice the plant really starting to grow like banshees around the second day after watering, or thereabouts... Depending on soil density etc.
I'd guess the soil mix I'm using is at its optimum performance when it is holding approximately 70% of the amount of water it is capable of holding. One way to accomplish more time in this sweet zone is to break it up as you are suggesting.
If a 300 gallon container with an 8ft diameter plant in mid-July required 30 gallons of water every 3 days (say allowing it to reach 60% saturation before bringing it back up to 80%) then perhaps 10 gallons each day might be better still? Like that? It sounds good on paper and has worked well for me in the field too.
It is not without some kinks though, and is a bit difficult to fine tune. When I went that route, I found it necessary to do a deeper/"normal" watering at least occasionally. I guess what I am saying is that I never did fine tune it right, lol. But still, I do very much like the concept. -Tom
