Hey guys new to the forum and the hobby. I just completed my first harvest of Super Skunk by a kind of modified hydro method, dont know what its actually called. 5 gallon bucket with 2 misters sticking through and a drain in the bottom, the lid of the bucket needs to have a whole cut iin it and some sort of basket attached to where it hangs down in the hole. place your clipping in the basket with rockwhool to start the root base. make sure that the misters are spraying the rockwhool when the lid is on. Yield was 380g
Let's talk about watering techniques
- Thread starter Runagi
- Start date
Ativas
Well-Known Member
Ahhhh .... one of the smart ones.
Now, I don't want to jump on anyone's parade, but moisture meters cause some people to fuss and fart over their plants all the time and ultimately over water them or something else not so brilliant anyway. Not that anyone here would do that, but some people ...Runagi, if you're using the soak and dry method you're going to be very happy with the results. I'll bet you're noticing healthier plants already. If you get that nutrient thing down to a science (which mostly means not overdoing it) your yield will be better than ever before, and, your plants will stay healthy along the way. Way to go!
I'm attaching a pic of 'soak and dry' in action. Lush, thick growth speaks for itself.
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joesalamon
Well-Known Member
The way you are watering is what a lot of beginners do, but trust me, it's not a good idea. The roots are not damaged nor do they die from the soil drying out. On the contrary, this is a very natural way for plants to grow; when there is no water available, the roots go in search of it. If you examine the roots of a plant watered properly and one that is kept moist all the time you will see that the one watered properly has a much healthier, and larger root system. I hesitate to say this but, this place is overflowing with bad advice; as a newcomer here I'm kind of shocked at the number of people who have no idea what they're talking about but giving out advice just the same. Now I don't want to come off as a know-it-all 'cause I certainly don't know it all; however, I've been growing since the 70's and have learned a few things along the way.
You're right about soil composition of course - makes a big difference. So does the size of pot you use. If you use one too big, it doesn't dry out fast enough and the roots are continually moist, which, again, is a bad thing.
For what it's worth, ProMix soilless mix is the best I've found for growing cannabis. Besides being a good 'soil,' you never have to worry about ph as long as you use this product. (It contains an agent to keep ph at a good level.)
So ... break free of that common beginner mistake. Let the soil dry out completely before watering. They'll thank you in the end.
Where do you buy promix at?
Ativas
Well-Known Member
Outside of Canada, I'm not sure if it's available. If you live in Canada most hydroponics stores carry it and even some hardware-type stores like Canadian Tire carry some of their mixes. I've never seen ProMix HP or BX outside of hydroponics stores but who knows ... I often use ProMix Potting and Seeding Mix which is available at Canadian Tire simply because it is very handy for me. It works just as well as HP or BX.
If you don't live in Canada, buy a good triple-mix soilless mix and try to find one with a ph buffering agent in it - often lime is used. The keyword here is 'triple-mix.' When choosing the triple-mix from wherever you get it, lift the bags and pick the one that feels the lightest, as long as it meets the other requirements. (Not very scientific but it might help you if you're not familiar with this sort of thing.)
Alternatively you can make your own. ProMix is a mixture of sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite and perlite. Lime is added as a ph buffer. Other components give ProMix amazing drainage and water retention properties also. Sunshine Mix #4 is also a great mix to look for. In addition, I've noticed in the last year or two that other companies seem to be coming out with mixes very similar to ProMix. The ones I have seen so far however, do not compare - getting closer, but still not ProMix.
If none of that works for you then I would recommend you buy one of those similar products (as mentioned above) from another company. I personally don't like the ones that come pre-conditioned with nutrients but that's up to you. I prefer to know exactly what nutrients are in the soil; the only way I can know that for sure is if I put them in there. If you do buy a nutrient-conditioned mix, make sure you account for that when adding your own nutrients or you'll end up with an over-feeding problem.
Hope this helps.
joesalamon
Well-Known Member
Ill look at the store next time I go to see if they have any... Do you think Fox Farm makes a triple-mix?
Ativas
Well-Known Member
I'm sure they must have something along that line ... you should be able find a good FoxFarm soil anyway.