New Grower subject for debate..soil moisture content.

[hitman_64]

I was just making my rounds checking plants and decided to move a snowryder female. In doing this I noticed the weight of each of the grow bags. Some have rocks in them but we all know the difference between the weight of rocks and the weight of water or how it feels anyway. I'm sure we have all seen and read that the soil should be light and airy but what I have just seen makes me wonder. The two best looking plants that are monsters really were both bone dry. The other 4 that I rearranged were moist. They've all received the same amount of food and water none show any major deficiencies. All were tiered from a 16 oz cup into 3 gallon grow bags. Some might think that its just a particular strain or plant but I have checked the others since then and found the same thing. The dryer the bag the better the growth. I have about 14 different strains going right now. Sativas, Indicas, autos, hybrids the works. In every case the dryer the bag the better the growth. I find this a little odd since I was always told that plants like their soil the way most people like their cake. I wondered if anyone else had any thoughts about this. Its not going to change how I handle my plants during germination and vegging but its definately got me rethinking my flowering process.if you're unclear on anything just ask in the event I've left something out.

 

[Muddy]

I've noticed that my plants also use their water/nutes at different rates. At first I though it was their placement, one getting more air than the other or one closer to the heater, but then after moving them around, saw that wasn't the case. I also noticed that the ones that dry out faster are the most vigorous. What ever it is about those plants, maybe a better root system or just better genetics, they take up nutrients faster than the other plants.

 

[L]

I found from my personal experince is that cannabis really likes a dry (but not bone dry) to semi moist meduim. It is easier for the roots to spread out and when the soil is dry they are always looking for more water so they spread out to more of the medium in search for said water. just my

 

[Garyoutlaw]

My plants that were grown in a mix of more pearlite dry out faster,respond to feeding quicker & also grew bigger with a good bit more root mass. At first I thought it was because they were getting more fan but after harvest realized it was the loose soil.

 

[hitman_64]

I'm definately going to pursue the dryer and Looser side of things. I'd prolly not have said a word about it but the snowryder I mentioned is actually bigger than it is "supposed to be" several others are like this but this one is about 3' tall with golfball sized buds and still has at least a month to go but shows absolutely no deficiencies of any kind. So ill let her go as long as possible. It has me wanting to start cultivating my damn grow bags and being out the hair dryer.

 

[AutoMan]

I too am one who prefers my ladies get good and dry before feeding....that's why I plant patience alongside'em.....using small pots, it's really easy to 'feel' the difference and for years I've noted the stronger ones will be those that dry out more......I believe our tough little friends can handle a drought much much better than they can a flood....
I actually began growing years ago in MG...and was taught a quick lesson with overwatering....just had to do something when checking'em....of course, with MG, they'll burn up with overwatering.....Until I began using nuteles soil and nutes, I used organic MG and got some of my best yeilds by just leaving'em alone.....let'em get very dry and then water thoroughly....

 

[ANCB]

I did the typical noob error earlier this week - I've read and read all over here and if one thing is drummed into us noob's it's that less is more, if in doubt then don't water, so I took that a wee bit too literately and was hardly watering at all. And when the wee lady started drooping, i still think its because I'm over-watering...It's only when I embed my finger up to its knuckle I realise the soils totally bone dry and perhaps I'm erring too much on the wrong side of cautiousness...A good water and a feed and now my lady's not droopy and is recovering just nicely...

 

[Muddy]

The 3 gallon pots I use have holes near the bottom that are big enough for me to stick my finger in. Even when the pots feel light and I think they need water I can stick my finger into the bottom of the pot and it's usually still moist. So I'll then give them another day or two.

 

[Monkeypox]

I have to agree , less is more. I try to let my girls be , and only water when they seem to really need it . There is no "schedule" since their needs change as they grow .

 

[Garyoutlaw]

When I first started out I was checking my plants with a digital moisture meeter ..it took forever. Now I just plop them on a bathroom scale to weigh them and feed/water acourdingly..