Lil tip about Watering in Soil or Compost

[Dibbz]

Pythium is a fungi that attacks the root systems of plants. It tends to be more of a problem in hydro systems and in warm weather. But also attacks roots in soil that is constantly wet and has low oxygen content. A wet dry cycle works better in a compost situation. A totally dry 6 litre root ball will take to saturation level .75 to 1 litre of water depending on the compost. Now you don’t want this to completely dry out, let it get fairly dry but not enough for the compost to shrink away from the sides of the pot. Then water through from the top slowly.

It is best when you are learning to stand your pots in a small pot tray, water until you have a half an inch in the tray, leave them for 15 mins if all the water is drawn in, water again until you have a half an inch again. Give another 15 mins or half an hour, any water left in the tray tip it out the root ball is now saturated. But if it has all been drawn up repeat top watering until you get to the saturated stage.

Tip don’t ever leave the plant in the tray with water in for more than an hour or so at the most.

You should not water or feed until you get back to the dry stage again.

As the plants draw the water out of the compost air with oxygen gets drawn into the compost keeping the medium aerobic. When you water through to saturation all the stale gasses get driven out the the cycle starts again.

Do try some of the Biobizz or earth juice organic fertilisers if you get a chance next grow, the buds produced will be much nicer to smoke.2thumbs

[Fillabong]

Nice one Dibbz:)

Peat does hold a lot of water but when it becomes bone dry it's really tough to rehydrate so dont ever let it get that bad;)

ALWAYS saturate your soil before adding any nutrients! Adding fertilized water to a dry root ball can burnroots and stress plants!

Dibbz I've heard that misting plants in a climate with high levels of transpiration can cause air to be drawn out of the soil. Do you know if this is true and how it works?

[Xenon]

Dibbz I've heard that misting plants in a climate with high levels of transpiration can cause air to be drawn out of the soil. Do you know if this is true and how it works?

Hey filla - In times of high transpiration and misting one can expect less water to be drawn at the root level but should expect the same amount of o2 to be used by the roots. I think that, because water is being absorbed through the stomata less water is absorbed at root level. MJ can take in h20 through the stomata and roots - gas exchange is o2 specific in the roots and co2 specific at the stomata

I am not fully sure if this theory is true, but, to me, it sounds more than plausable and seems to be congruant with the way plants work...2cents...

:Peace:

[Dibbz]

Sorry didnt get back to you on that one there filla been very busy...:(

[Mr. Bud]

Great tip on watering, I have a hard time being patient and I end up watering to soon..

Thanks dude... :peaceman:

[Elephunt man]

Pythium is a fungi that attacks the root systems of plants. It tends to be more of a problem in hydro systems and in warm weather. But also attacks roots in soil that is constantly wet and has low oxygen content. A wet dry cycle works better in a compost situation. A totally dry 6 litre root ball will take to saturation level .75 to 1 litre of water depending on the compost. Now you don’t want this to completely dry out, let it get fairly dry but not enough for the compost to shrink away from the sides of the pot. Then water through from the top slowly.

It is best when you are learning to stand your pots in a small pot tray, water until you have a half an inch in the tray, leave them for 15 mins if all the water is drawn in, water again until you have a half an inch again. Give another 15 mins or half an hour, any water left in the tray tip it out the root ball is now saturated. But if it has all been drawn up repeat top watering until you get to the saturated stage.

Tip don’t ever leave the plant in the tray with water in for more than an hour or so at the most.

You should not water or feed until you get back to the dry stage again.

As the plants draw the water out of the compost air with oxygen gets drawn into the compost keeping the medium aerobic. When you water through to saturation all the stale gasses get driven out the the cycle starts again.

Do try some of the Biobizz or earth juice organic fertilisers if you get a chance next grow, the buds produced will be much nicer to smoke.2thumbs

Great post! Never thought about the promotion of aerobic conditions by exchanging gases.:) That added much reasoning to the very similar watering methods I promote so highly. Thanks!;)

[Cakes]

Maybe adding air to your water supply would solve the problem of low oxygen content. A bubbler stone on a fish pump is good for reservoirs. And if one just fills a jug from the faucet, then fill it from a heighth and the water pressure adds air bubbles. Also capping it for a second and shaking the jug vigorously once the nutes are in there makes the water fill with a jillion little air bubbles. Pour it on quick after shaking and those air bubbles get carried down into your soil.

i, personally, hate to dry my plants out...

This last grow, I actually aeriated my soil from below by using pumps.

and one can add oxygen to water by adding h2o2 (hydrogen peroxide). The oxygen will not totally dissipate for about 7 days.

[Cranky]

hmmmmm...not sure about the shaking up bit but ya have reminded me ive got h2o2 somwhere and ive never used that in soil...i think ill give it a wirl next feed;)

cranky