Why do we feed, water, water with soil?

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DWCgrower406

Well-Known Member
It seems to be generally accepted that plants being fed in soil should follow a schedule similar to this. Water with nutrients, then just water a couple times. We dont do this in coco or hydro, rather we give a steady consistent amount of nutrients that the plant is happy at. So why in soil? Would the plant not be just as happy or happier if given a steady feed every watering at lower amount? lets say normally you give 900ppm, then just straight water twice. Why not split it evenly into 300ppm every watering and be feeding them exactly the same amount? Those numbers are just an example, important part is just feeding at 1/3 strength every watering rather than feed, water, water. Is there an actual reason why they prefer a varying concentration? I dont see why hydro should be any different.
 
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DWCgrower406

Well-Known Member
DeGreenster said:
its not different. whoever told you to feed water water doesnt know what they're talking about. lighter feed every irrigation cycle is the better method, 420%.
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Really? For starters straight from the instructions on multiple nutrient brands, i literally see it all the time in posts, videos, grow journals, etc. You act like you've never even heard it before. Search feed, water water on google and read a couple threads of it being discussed. Literally like 90% of people recommend straight water between feedings
 
DeGreenster

DeGreenster

Member
It's one of those bullshit bro-science things. good nutrient systems are made to be used with every fertigation. I've grown a lot of plants, with many different nutrient lines.. I always water in nutrients ..... always.

There is. however, an argument for water only during the last 2 weeks of flower. NOT for the purpose of flushing, but because your plant will finish the same with or without nutrients at that point, so you may as well save the money.. I myself still give nutes during those 2 weeks, cause i'd rather not shoot myself in the foot at the very end of such a long time period. There have been tests done though, and biomass is identical with or without feed during the last 2 weeks.
 
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waterproof808

Well-Known Member
Coco/Hydro are typically grown in small pots, using less medium and plants are able to consume the available nutrients quickly.

Soil is typically grown in much larger containers, so it takes plants a longer time to consume the available nutrients and you are mostly just wasting nutrients by feeding it with every watering.

Its really best to just observe your plants and respond to their needs, instead of seeking a "one-size-fits-all" answer off a forum that have no idea about your setup.
 
DeGreenster

DeGreenster

Member
waterproof808 said:
Soil is typically grown in much larger containers, so it takes plants a longer time to consume the available nutrients and you are mostly just wasting nutrients by feeding it with every watering.
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that's not true. you feed every watering for the same reason it's better to change out the rez instead of topping it off with fresh water. you keep your soil mineralization properly balanced. if you only add water, you're depleting whichever nutrient the plants using the most of.
 
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DWCgrower406

Well-Known Member
DeGreenster said:
It's one of those bullshit bro-science things. good nutrient systems are made to be used with every fertigation. I've grown a lot of plants, with many different nutrient lines.. I always water in nutrients ..... always.

There is. however, an argument for water only during the last 2 weeks of flower. NOT for the purpose of flushing, but because your plant will finish the same with or without nutrients at that point, so you may as well save the money.. I myself still give nutes during those 2 weeks, cause i'd rather not shoot myself in the foot at the very end of such a long time period. There have been tests done though, and biomass is identical with or without feed during the last 2 weeks.
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Well logically i would agree with you and see no reason why not to feed the correct amount every feeding, i was just curious why it seems to be such a common recommendation. There must be some kind of reasoning behind it.

As for no feed last 2 weeks, im familiar with the studies. As im sure you know it was mostly to disprove the myth that plants need starved near harvest to "use up excess nutes" to prevent them being left in the plant and consumed when smoked. I also feed to the end. Nutrients are relatively cheap vs the yeild you could lose by under feeding at the end.
 
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DWCgrower406

Well-Known Member
waterproof808 said:
Coco/Hydro are typically grown in small pots, using less medium and plants are able to consume the available nutrients quickly.

Soil is typically grown in much larger containers, so it takes plants a longer time to consume the available nutrients and you are mostly just wasting nutrients by feeding it with every watering.

Its really best to just observe your plants and respond to their needs, instead of seeking a "one-size-fits-all" answer off a forum that have no idea about your setup.
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I still dont see the logic. Yes, you should read your plants and feed what they ask for, but why in an on/off schedule? Container size is irrelevant. If soil grows use larger container that hold more nutrients, then drop the ppm to match what the plant is consuming. Why alternate feed and water? If the plant shows its getting too much, drop the ppm of the solution you are feeding with every water. What am i missing?
 
MICHI-CAN

MICHI-CAN

Well-Known Member
DWCgrower406 said:
I still dont see the logic. Yes, you should read your plants and feed what they ask for, but why in an on/off schedule? Container size is irrelevant. If soil grows use larger container that hold more nutrients, then drop the ppm to match what the plant is consuming. Why alternate feed and water? If the plant shows its getting too much, drop the ppm of the solution you are feeding with every water. What am i missing?
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Learn to read your plants and they will only beg until granting your fantasy.
 
bk78

bk78

Well-Known Member
DWCgrower406 said:
Really? For starters straight from the instructions on multiple nutrient brands, i literally see it all the time in posts, videos, grow journals, etc. You act like you've never even heard it before. Search feed, water water on google and read a couple threads of it being discussed. Literally like 90% of people recommend straight water between feedings
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You watch YouTube growers don’t you?
 
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DWCgrower406

Well-Known Member
bk78 said:
You watch YouTube growers don’t you?
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Wow, ok buddy. As i already said, its everywhere. Bottles of nutrients, many threads, grow journals, etc. Are you gonna tell me right now that there isnt highly skilled growers out there that follow a similar schedule?
Sorry you didnt like the word "we", obviously not you and the concept doesnt make sense to me either, but dont act like you've never heard it before.
 
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