why is run off important?
- Thread starter asdfkry
- Start date
darkdestruction420
Well-Known Member
dont use large pots so early. When the plant is big enough you will find that giving heavy waterings actually reduces time in between waterings compared to normal watering. the plant wicks it away quicker and nutrients are easier absorbed, its hard to explain but check out some of riddleme's posts on this, i dont mess with the ph like he does but i do follow the make it rain technique as well.
..theres no puddles... the soil is just damp for that long...its sunshine 4 if that makes a difference
thanks, ill try to find thoes posts!
yeah they were just put in 4gal pots..... im reading https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/316301-calling-all-noob-growers.html
im just wondering if im supposed to move them into the bathtub every watering, i guess my trays wont hold enough run off... am im missing somthing? it doesnt seem practical for me
im just wondering if im supposed to move them into the bathtub every watering, i guess my trays wont hold enough run off... am im missing somthing? it doesnt seem practical for me
tip top toker
Well-Known Member
Runoff ensures that the whole pot has been watered. If you just stop watering after 2 liters, the bottom 2 inches could still be bone dry.
jondamon
Well-Known Member
you should be aiming for 10-20% runoff. around 3litres. Get yourself a tray that you can put the plant into that can hold a gallon , Creating runoff ensure that you are not going to suffer from salt build up causing pH problems or nute def/tox. This should have been a concern when planning your grow in the "how do i get water too and from my growing area"
J
Japanfreak
New Member
This.........
Tyrannabudz
Well-Known Member
You are just fine. Sunshine #4 now has a wetting agent mixed in so it will retain h2o better. The reason it takes so long for the medium to dry is that the root system is not developed enough for the size of pot. This is not an issue because as the roots grow they will seek out the moisture in the medium becoming a more dense and robust root system. Using a large container after rooting clones or just starting germed seeds in is actually a good thing. As the roots begin to grow out into the pot they can actually sense how large the pot is and will grow and develop accordingly. This is why plants grown outdoors get so big, because the roots have unlimited space to grow. Big pot= big plant.
Runoff is to ensure that you are thoroughly moistening the grow medium. You do not have to place them in a bathtub. Get some appropriate sized plastic saucers at the local nursery, place your plant in them to catch runoff. Whatever drains into the saucer will later absorb into the medium or evaporate. You don't need to drown them just give them a drink. Don't overfertilize and salt buildup will not be an issue.
I am as a matter of fact going to my veg room to transplant four seedlings from 4" pots to 7 gallon pots right now. I also use Sunshine so I can tell you I speak from experience. No worries.
Runoff is to ensure that you are thoroughly moistening the grow medium. You do not have to place them in a bathtub. Get some appropriate sized plastic saucers at the local nursery, place your plant in them to catch runoff. Whatever drains into the saucer will later absorb into the medium or evaporate. You don't need to drown them just give them a drink. Don't overfertilize and salt buildup will not be an issue.
I am as a matter of fact going to my veg room to transplant four seedlings from 4" pots to 7 gallon pots right now. I also use Sunshine so I can tell you I speak from experience. No worries.
great!! thank you for taking the time to put my mind at ease
jondamon
Well-Known Member
Speaking from " experience " you should know that allowing a plant to stand in pooled water is not good. The water that collects under the pots in the "saucers" could contain high levels of mineral salts as its runoff. This could result in what i mentioned pH problems nute def/tox simply because this excess is getting reabsorbed when it should be getting dumped.
Sunshine mix #4 may well have a bio wetter added to it , its still good practice when using drain to waste to create runoff EVERYTIME!
I do agree that by carefully monitoring EC/TDS/PPM/CF you can make sure overfert doesnt happen but without creating runoff to TEST how can you be certain that you are feeding enough?
When I test i measure EC in and compare it against my EC out in the runoff to judge how they are feeding and adjust as necessary.
J
D.Gotti
Active Member
Im interested in this. You test the EC of you nutrient mix before you water, and You test your runoff Immediately after feeding? How do you know what your plant is using or should be using?
I do DTW with promix bx and just aim for seeing a little runoff and knowing its watered good.
jondamon
Well-Known Member
In my favourite magazine URBAN GARDEN it says one of the best ways to see how your plants are feeding is comparing EC of your nutes VS the EC of your first bit of runoff.
As i grow in COCO i am constantly feeding with every watering and getting 20% runoff.
If my EC IN is 1.5 and EC OUT is 1.0 i know i can up my feeding to around 1.7 next time and test again. im looking for a small difference in EC maybe 0.2 in either direction to know the plants are feeding well.. I only test the very first amount of runoff and then continue to get my desired 20% .
J
D.Gotti
Active Member
I would be measuring in PPM, and i use soilless. Promix BX.
If the ppm in is lower than the ppm out, is this an indication of salt buildup?
Is the 0.2 difference, accounting for what nutrients the medium would absorb?
If it goes in at 1.5 and comes out at 1.5 would that mean is not holding nutrients? start of salt buildup?
Im interested in this, you have my full attention.
If the ppm in is lower than the ppm out, is this an indication of salt buildup?
Is the 0.2 difference, accounting for what nutrients the medium would absorb?
If it goes in at 1.5 and comes out at 1.5 would that mean is not holding nutrients? start of salt buildup?
Im interested in this, you have my full attention.
jondamon
Well-Known Member
i can break it down into ppm for you.
If your PPM IN is 800ppm and your runoff is 400ppm then you can increase your ppm's next feeding. If your ppm increases in your runoff then you need to decrease the ppm of your nutes.
If you get a small difference or NO difference in PPM IN vs PPM OUT then continue to feed at that strength as it is feeding PERFECTLY.
You should be trying to aim for a very little difference in PPM's that way you are matching your nute strength to how the plant is feeding.
J