watering and how much

[shuswap]

okay guys im trying to decide if I should keep roots constantly wet in pots or let them dry out so that the soil is dry all the way thru,bottom roots need moisture constantly correct? I water until runoff just starts,3-4 days later pots are dry to the point where if I pop the pot off the soil the entire root ball is dry..reason im asking is at harvest I don't see a huge thick mat of roots at bottom of pots so im searching for ways to increase root structure

 

[Jnugg]

Don't let it dry all the way out,but you do want a good wet/dry cycle.

I water until I see runoff,then stop.If you're that unsure of when and when not to water,get yourself a moisture meter.

I find with mature plants I water every 2 to 3 days,but never let the medium fully dry out.

 

[trichster]

What size pots are you flowering in? How long are you veg'ing them in those pots before putting into flower?

 

[shuswap]

2 gallons,i veg in 4 inch pots for two weeks then transplant and veg for another 2 weeks,at each stage there is decent root structure but I find at end of cycle there small kinda brownish ,look like small hairs instead of the thick whitr roots I see when transplanting or when I pop a pot off of the 2 gallon when starting to flower,jus looking at other ideas etc

 

[trichster]

what your seeing at end of flowering is normal. The roots slowly shrink and turn color as the plant goes through flowering stage in soil. When in veg you can go drier between waterings to make roots look for water but in flowering dont ever let them get completly dry. How much water do you give the 2 gallon pots? Id give alittle more then 1/2 gallon but under 3/4 gallon water each time. Have you considered upgrading to 3 gallon pots if you have room.

 

[Javadog]

I have found that the soil I use really affects the watering that I do.

My current crop uses mainly Kelloggs Patio Plus. It is a nice and rich
soil, but it is very much airier than FFOF which I used previously.

The top inch or so dries out right away, but this is good, bug-wise, I suppose.

Good luck,

JD

 

[Granger2]

I'd water a day sooner. -granger

 

[shuswap]

ive always used 10 gallon pots until recently,amazng what a moisture meter actually shows you,from what I thought was to heavy actually reads dry 1/2 way down then into bottom its middle of the moist ,not wet ,lol learn something new every day,thanxs guys