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What is the perfect amount of water for plants that are in 6inch deep soil on a 3x2feet (rectangle) soil bed? I want to find out an amount that is sufficient for the plant's growth and won't rott because I don't have drainage at the bottom. Basically I want to water the plants just enough every second day without water sitting at the bottom or anything. I've heard that 300ml every second day is good (in pots), not sure how this will work on my soil bed. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
Sorry but I forgot to mention that the temperature in there is roughly 35C at the top and around 28 near the bottom where the soil sits.
How many plants, how old? It's really hard to say, you need to just go by what you think and how your plants react. But you really need drain holes and you should try lowering the temps.
Some information I wrote down a few months back was
250ml for first three weeks
300ml for vegetative
400ml for flowering until harvest
I'd say its more like
100ml for first three weeks
600ml for vegetative
800ml for flowering until harvest
So the answer to your question I duno
No NO and NO...
Never water your plant a specific measurement of water.. you think the plant is sitting there with a measuring cup saying "If you give me to much i'm gonna freak out"? Hardly..
Water for the size of the plant.. not the size of the pot.
35 degrees is to hot.. you need to bring the temperature down, this is why you would be having to water more often..
Water until water is coming out of the bottom of the pot... if you overflow the water tray.. who cares, get some paper towel.
The point is, you don't water your plant specific measurments.. ever.
Unless you're working with hydro, that's different.
A seedling will need watering more often because you're giving it less water. You want to promote the roots to grow down and spread out...it can't do this .. if no water ever makes it to the bottom of the soil.
The best way to avoid over watering is by NOT watering daily.. you do NOT want to maintain a damp soil surface as this will promote bugs and fugus. You NEED to let the top of the soil dry out before you water again.
The best way to tell if it's time to water is by sticking your finger in the soil .. an inch of dry soil would tell you it's time to water.. if it's still damp just under the surface of the soil, than obviously you don't need to water..
Proper watering routine and misting the plant with water.. and you'll never have an overwatering problem.
More than anything.. you need to bring those temperatures down..
Bob.
That's why I fear soil beds... no drainage.
exactly. indoor soil beds are bad news in my opinionQuote:
Originally Posted by stinkyattic
PERLITE = GREAT DRAINAGE
:)
layering the bottom of the bed with perlite?Quote:
Originally Posted by Garden Knowm
If you guys are talking about the soil beds like Soma's, they have great drainage. I bought his book and it clearly lays out how it works. I personally am going to add a drain to the bottom, but keep the hydrocoals. Soma uses 75% soil to 25% perlite, that and that all the water drains through to the hydrocoals, where they can still get oxygen thanks to the PVC pipes leading from fresh air into the hydrocoals. Water drains out of soil, plants can breathe fresh air through the pipes.
I'm considering using this with a Hydroponic system using maybe a dripper for every plant. Plants absorb all the water as it drains through the soil, then through the hydrocoals, finally back down the drain back into the main resevoir, so it can be pumped through the drippers (2-3/day something like that?). I'd be using plain distilled water (and some kelp seaweed, and Super Thrive for young plants, fox farm big bloom, guano tea) Other than that I'd mist daily to get some water/light nutes through the leaves.
Think that would solve the flower bed's percieved drainage problem (As well as saving me the trouble of watering all the fucking time)?
When I switched from hydro to soiless, I found one of those mositure testers to help get a feel for when and how much mositure was needed. I was useing 5 gallon buckets then. After a cycle or 2, I didnt use it anymore. I also found keeping a log helped me, to keep track of various items, waterings, feedings, suppliments.
I use 50% perlite with my soil mix. There is no drainage in my planter box, it is lined with plastic. It takes about a day to dry. 5" deep soil. Seems ok so far. I have a dehumidifer if it needs it in the future. Ive only been using it for a little bit though, so we'll see how it works out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Garden Knowm
water when the soil is dry all the down. I stick my finger down there, better then a moisture meter IMO.
yes Actually . :D . that too.. Perlite mixed into the soil andQuote:
Originally Posted by BobBong
....also at least 1/2 inch of perlite on the bottom of all containers.... If the container has drainage..(which it should)... you can use a piece of newspaper to cover the drainage holes.. This will allow the water to seep out and keep the perlite from falling out of the holes..
love is BOB
NICE info.. I would like to see a picture and follow the progress of your plants.. NO drainage holes seems suicidal.. BUT it seems like you are pulling it off!! If you start a thread.. please post a link in this thread./.Quote:
Originally Posted by Racerx
iloveyou