Underwatering fabric pots and its effect on microbes

seymour b

seymour b

Active Member
New grower here using ffof. I'm in week 5 or 6 from seed, and have recently transplanted into 1 gallon fabric pots. Everything has looked pretty good until a few days ago, when I noticed lightening of the lower leaves (and some tips) and some slowing of growth. I've not given any nutrients, and I'm using about 60% ffof 20% EWC and 20% perlite + granular mycorrhizae. I've erred on the side of letting the soil dry out in these fabric pots and am wondering if I let whatever small amount of microbes I have get out of whack. During watering today, I top dressed with EWC, hoping to add a little life to the mix. Also, I have a large chunk from the transplant that I believe is causing the water to run down the sides mostly where the newer loose soil is and not really allowing it to get into the rootball. Can I bust this up a little to aerate things and let water get down into the middle of the pot?

Hopefully this question is in the right place, I'm really trying avoid the lolcalmagdeficiency bros more than anything. I am using steam distilled water and have calmag on hand, but I'd really like to know what's going on before I start throwing things at the problem.
20201004_015642.jpg
 
Last edited:
meangreengrowinmachine

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
1 gallon pots and that soil ( or really any ) in a one gallon pot.. you now have an inert medium. those plants will always need nutes.. also ( and I am saying this from literally doing this exact thing) the roots are not going to get "bound" per say, because they are in air pots but you would be better moving them to much bigger pots and new soil or get ready for a nute regimen.
 
seymour b

seymour b

Active Member
meangreengrowinmachine said:
1 gallon pots and that soil ( or really any ) in a one gallon pot.. you now have an inert medium. those plants will always need nutes.. also ( and I am saying this from literally doing this exact thing) the roots are not going to get "bound" per say, because they are in air pots but you would be better moving them to much bigger pots and new soil or get ready for a nute regimen.
Click to expand...
Ah shit...if they've been in these pots for two weeks, have I already used it up? I have truly been fucking up the watering it seems. I have a tub of the same mix here that's been sitting for a few weeks and 3 gallon pots, so I can pot up tomorrow if need be. I slit the bottom of side of the pots and don't see root activity yet.
 
SupraSPL

SupraSPL

Well-Known Member
I have seen a nice boost in trichome quality from using 7 gallon fabric pots instead of 5 gallon buckets. But I did bump into underwatering problems also. I have been trying a few things, spraying the surface with a pump sprayer first with a bit of wetting agent in the water AND watering more slowly overall. Dump a splash into each pot then come back later and hit them all again. Then again until they are super heavy. I also got an analog soil moisture probe ($10) and I use it once in awhile to check on things after watering.

I might try some heavier weight fabric pots. I am currently using 240 gram "root pouch: brand but I have seen 300 and 400 gram pots available.
 
Leeski

Leeski

Well-Known Member
Had same issue with 12 gallon fabric pots correct moisture level is critical to keeping microbes happy I brought a blumat digital moisture sensor blew my mind how much water I was using to maintain optimal soil environment
 
Medskunk

Medskunk

Well-Known Member
If you water with bottled calmag in your organic soil you re killing the microbes consistently. Choose an organic.

Then 1gal pot is too small. Ive had organic grows with 3.5 gals. Minimum id say to have a decent 4 weeks of veg before switching to flower.
 
seymour b

seymour b

Active Member
Thank you guys for the advice. I watered them today and did it slooooowwwwwly, and saw exactly why I've been fucking up the watering. I ordered a blumat system as well because I'll be going on vacation shortly.

I haven't used cal mag yet, but it's here just in case I needed it. I do have pelletized dolomite lime that I finally found as well.

Instead of all this, I'd like to use my aquifer well water. My far east TDS meter shows 107ppm, so I would assume that's probably better to use than the distilled? Thoughts?
 
seymour b

seymour b

Active Member
vostok said:
if so concerned add a surfactant, alow vera is cheap if not free
helps stick/glue the water to the soil; bits

good luck
Click to expand...
Oh it's free alright, there are two outside my window right now. Thanks for the advice, down another rabbit hole...
 
Medskunk

Medskunk

Well-Known Member
seymour b said:
I do have pelletized dolomite lime that I finally found as well.

Instead of all this, I'd like to use my aquifer well water. My far east TDS meter shows 107ppm, so I would assume that's probably better to use than the distilled? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I know its tough and mind boggling to end up with a soil recipe that does the job for your inputs of things but use dolomite only if you have to adjust the ph.

And YES. Use the well water 100ppm is perfect and clean as fudge.
 
Last edited:
seymour b

seymour b

Active Member
Medskunk said:
I know its tough and mind boggling to end up with a soil recipe that does the job for your inputs of things but use dolomite only if you have to adjust the ph.

And YES. Use the well water 100ppm is perfect and clean as fudge.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I need to go back and read the soil thread.

Well hell yes on the well water! Is there any concern for harmful to plants bacteria in the well water? I just had it drilled a few months ago.

I'm going to go with transplanting them into 5 gallons and then ride them out. Moving from a 3 gallon to anything bigger looks like a potential disaster unless I cut the pots open.
 
N

Northwood

Well-Known Member
seymour b said:
Well hell yes on the well water! Is there any concern for harmful to plants bacteria in the well water? I just had it drilled a few months ago.
Click to expand...
You didn't get a water test done? And you drink it? Most countries have pretty strict testing regulations on wells meant for potable consumption. If you can't drink it, I'd certainly not give it to my plants.
 
seymour b

seymour b

Active Member
Northwood said:
You didn't get a water test done? And you drink it? Most countries have pretty strict testing regulations on wells meant for potable consumption. If you can't drink it, I'd certainly not give it to my plants.
Click to expand...
It was tested it when it was installed, but it was just for coliform etc. It's an aquifer well so you can absolutely drink it, but I'm not sure how this affects plants and beneficial bacteria. I do clean my aerator, so I guess I'll have to stock up on water for plants while that bleach is running through. Being that it's in the limestone, it's higher in sulfur, too.
 
SnidleyBluntash

SnidleyBluntash

Well-Known Member
I will tell you my secret. I’m useing a 7 gallon fabric pot, but only filled up 5 gallons. Then fold the top fabric like a box top and hold it down some how. This will cover up the soil and slow it from drying. Another thing to experiment with is maybe wrapping the fabric with a plastic wrap to seal it up a bit. You could find a sweet spot so it stays ‘just right’.
 
Bukvičák

Bukvičák

Well-Known Member
seymour b said:
New grower here using ffof. I'm in week 5 or 6 from seed, and have recently transplanted into 1 gallon fabric pots. Everything has looked pretty good until a few days ago, when I noticed lightening of the lower leaves (and some tips) and some slowing of growth. I've not given any nutrients, and I'm using about 60% ffof 20% EWC and 20% perlite + granular mycorrhizae. I've erred on the side of letting the soil dry out in these fabric pots and am wondering if I let whatever small amount of microbes I have get out of whack. During watering today, I top dressed with EWC, hoping to add a little life to the mix. Also, I have a large chunk from the transplant that I believe is causing the water to run down the sides mostly where the newer loose soil is and not really allowing it to get into the rootball. Can I bust this up a little to aerate things and let water get down into the middle of the pot?

Hopefully this question is in the right place, I'm really trying avoid the lolcalmagdeficiency bros more than anything. I am using steam distilled water and have calmag on hand, but I'd really like to know what's going on before I start throwing things at the problem.
View attachment 4704415
Click to expand...
6 weeks old leaf can look like this without any issues behind. I would be more concerning about how big they are, they should be exploding right now. If you feel that they are not watered enough (look like) than you need to water them twice with 15mins break to allow soil to retent that water. You gonna have hard times with transplant from this rootpot when roots get well established. R U planning to top them?
 
seymour b

seymour b

Active Member
SnidleyBluntash said:
I will tell you my secret. I’m useing a 7 gallon fabric pot, but only filled up 5 gallons. Then fold the top fabric like a box top and hold it down some how. This will cover up the soil and slow it from drying. Another thing to experiment with is maybe wrapping the fabric with a plastic wrap to seal it up a bit. You could find a sweet spot so it stays ‘just right’.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I'll keep this in mind; that's pretty smart.

Bukvičák said:
6 weeks old leaf can look like this without any issues behind. I would be more concerning about how big they are, they should be exploding right now. If you feel that they are not watered enough (look like) than you need to water them twice with 15mins break to allow soil to retent that water. You gonna have hard times with transplant from this rootpot when roots get well established. R U planning to top them?
Click to expand...
I watered last night, and did it super slowly. They perked right up (and stayed up). I actually topped them to start manifolding this morning and they were already back facing up tonight. Soil still moist too. I really fucked up the watering, but now I know how to do it at least. The plan is to transplant them maybe wednesday when the 5 gals come in. They've been doing well other than this, so hopefully it was just me watering like a moron.



20201005_183429.jpg
 
P

P10p

Well-Known Member
SnidleyBluntash said:
I will tell you my secret. I’m useing a 7 gallon fabric pot, but only filled up 5 gallons. Then fold the top fabric like a box top and hold it down some how. This will cover up the soil and slow it from drying. Another thing to experiment with is maybe wrapping the fabric with a plastic wrap to seal it up a bit. You could find a sweet spot so it stays ‘just right’.
Click to expand...
Buying 7 gals and folding them.... that's a new one. You should check out this new stuff out there, it's called mulch. Organic too!
 
B

Blazin Budz

Well-Known Member
Medskunk said:
If you water with bottled calmag in your organic soil you re killing the microbes consistently. Choose an organic.

Then 1gal pot is too small. Ive had organic grows with 3.5 gals. Minimum id say to have a decent 4 weeks of veg before switching to flower.
Click to expand...

There are organic bottled calmags out there...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top