Plant didn't get water for 4 days

[vinny2times]

I had to leave town unexpectedly for work. I watered my plants right before I left, and it was only 4 days, but now the plants look half dead. I have an automatic irrigation system, but they were busy with my top priority (3 plants in week 4 of flower). I couldn't believe how bad the plants looked without water for 4 days. I just watered them. I guess that's really all I can do. Any other suggestions? Less than 18/6 light? An extra watering with seaweed extract tomorrow?

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

I bet they come back. They will likely shed some leaves.

I am tuning in for the results. I have not had them quite that wilted before but close and they were fine after a while. But the lowest fans all died.

 

[OldMedUser]

First thing I do when that happens is dump in some water and mist all the leaves especially the undersides so they can soak in the water and re-hydrate faster. Some leaves will not make it like MMG said.

They should be fine in a couple hours of watering. If not then something else is going on.

Good luck!

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

First thing I do when that happens is dump in some water and mist all the leaves especially the undersides so they can soak in the water and re-hydrate faster. Some leaves will not make it like MMG said.

They should be fine in a couple hours of watering. If not then something else is going on.

Good luck!

Nice tip on the misting. I wonder if I would have saved more leaves like that?

 

[KryptoBud]

If leaving unexpectedly happens often a back up plan would be a good idea. Something like blumats looks pretty cheap and easy to use.

https://www.blumats.com/blumat-indoor-kit

 

[ILoveRice]

Should come back up, had one happen like that to mine. Peace

 

[OldMedUser]

Nice tip on the misting. I wonder if I would have saved more leaves like that?

Doesn't seem to make a difference saving leaves but it's the weak ones that go anyway.

 

[Poontanger]

At that age , id be tempted to remove a couple of the bottom fan leaves now , why get the plant to try & support sumthing thats gunna die, & this with misting & plain water , youll be surprised how they respond

 

[vinny2times]

Thanks everyone. Great tips. Appreciate the help and I'll post some updates.

 

[sandhill larry]

Set your pots in an aluminium roasting pan and put an inch of water in the bottom. If it sucks that right up, add more.

You could have done something like that before you left, giving the plants access to a little more water. And covering your soil with some sort of mulch will help a lot with water retention. One of the best is alfalfa straw.

Good luck.

 

[vinny2times]

These are the 3 plants that had priority if anyone is curious.

 

[vinny2times]

Set your pots in an aluminium roasting pan and put an inch of water in the bottom. If it sucks that right up, add more.

You could have done something like that before you left, giving the plants access to a little more water. And covering your soil with some sort of mulch will help a lot with water retention. One of the best is alfalfa straw.

Good luck.

I was actually going to do that, but other people on here said it can cause salt build-up. I shouldn't have listened.

 

[sandhill larry]

I was actually going to do that, but other people on here said it can cause salt build-up. I shouldn't have listened.

You will hear a little of everything on here. After a while it gets easier to separate the wheat from the chaff. A lot of the old timers have gone, {at least in the outdoor section, where I usually stay} but there is still some real master gardeners who will take time out of their day to do you a solid. {I do not include myself in that group}

When you interact with folks, look at their grow threads. Then decide who you are going to believe.

 

[THCBrain]

I bet they come back. They will likely shed some leaves.

I am tuning in for the results. I have not had them quite that wilted before but close and they were fine after a while. But the lowest fans all died.

Iv had them far worse than that laying down in the dirt had to prop it up with cocktail sticks n gave it plain water next day boom back in business.

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

Iv had them far worse than that laying down in the dirt had to prop it up with cocktail sticks n gave it plain water next day boom back in business.

Well I hope I don't do that but it's good to know they are so resilient.

 

[Buba Blend]

Not sure if this works but what I do if I'm gonna be away for 4 days or longer. Lets say I'm in flower, I would give them 4 hours of dark in between the light cycle. Instead of 12 hour on Id have lights on for 4 hours off for 4 hours then on for 4 hours. I figure they would drink less and be stressed less. Seems to work OK.

 

[vinny2times]

Just one day later look at the difference! Some bottom leaves will be lost, but overall it's really bounced back. Thanks for all the help and I hope this thread helps someone else one day.

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

Glad to see the improvement @vinny2times

This was a good informative thread!

 

[OldMedUser]

I love a happy ending.