so ppm has nothing to do with soil, just water content?

trying to figure the perfect nute level. they say water until it drips from the bottom, so as long as nutes in the water are measured correct, just water till its all wet? it just seems very inaccurate and non-professional especially since water always sneaks around the side of the dirt and drips down the inside wall of the planter. if someone out there can tell me x amount of this gallon for this stage of plant growth id appreciate it. im using everything fox farm

smokinskins said:

trying to figure the perfect nute level. they say water until it drips from the bottom, so as long as nutes in the water are measured correct, just water till its all wet? it just seems very inaccurate and non-professional especially since water always sneaks around the side of the dirt and drips down the inside wall of the planter. if someone out there can tell me x amount of this gallon for this stage of plant growth id appreciate it. im using everything fox farm

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Yes you water until the soil is thoroughly saturated, and the excess flushes the bottom of the container. This constant flushing prevents toxic salts from building up in the bottom of the container, but of course this is more information than the home gardener needs, so they go with simple instructions.

1/2 strength recommended dosage is the typical starting point. gradually work up to the recommended (manufacturer) dosage. It's east to give more later on, but harder to correct an over fertilization problem, so take it easy.

mix up a big carton of feed and such, get it all ph'ed, then just water till it comes outta the drainage hole. you'll probably chuck some mixture down the drain, but that's the easiest way.

it's watering a plant, it doesn't really have to be professional or accurate.

and most growers will use a different type of soil, with different components, perlite, coarse sand, and to different quantities, so chances are everyone will water different amounts. i water every 2 days, on rare occasions, every three, wheras other users here water every day of the week

Ppm is far more vital in hydro than soil. Just another variable in hydro that you have to deal with.

Mysticlown150 said:

Ppm is far more vital in hydro than soil. Just another variable in hydro that you have to deal with.

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To clarify, I believe water quality is a very important consideration for all kinds of growers, not just hydro.

If doing hydro you should check your water's ppm to see how nasty or pure it is, and after mixing nutes to make sure the nute solute is the right concentration. Just because soil grows put their water into dirt, doesn't mean they don't need to care about the quality of the water they use.

Soil may have a cleansing bonus as I assume that some natural organic processes effectively filter out (some) pollutants. But by doing so, it's keeping these pollutants constantly close and available to the root system. So you want clean water for soil grow too.

Stay healthy!

Use clean healthy water!

smokinskins said:

trying to figure the perfect nute level. they say water until it drips from the bottom, so as long as nutes in the water are measured correct, just water till its all wet? it just seems very inaccurate and non-professional especially since water always sneaks around the side of the dirt and drips down the inside wall of the planter. if someone out there can tell me x amount of this gallon for this stage of plant growth id appreciate it. im using everything fox farm

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I could be wrong, but I think you want something like a feed-feed-water, feed-feed-water regimen. You feed the nutrient solution on the first day, wait two days and feed again, wait two more days then water only, then start over, wait two more days then feed, etc.

Also, you may lack consistent drainage since your water finds a fast drain channel at the sides of your pot. A soil amendment (more perlite) might help. A good soil stays moist throughout the pot, shouldn't lend to side of pot draining.