propper watering

[FunkMeister]

im currently using a 4.5 gallon container (beacuse of spacial issues this will be the final pot) i want to use a technique of watering that my friend calls drown and draught where i would flood the plant and then allow it to dry thuroughly so that the roots stretch. , my plant is as of now on node 5 and i want it to fill the pot appropriately, sooo..

1. how much should i water and how often?

2. how can i tell by looking at the plant when its ready for its next watering?

FunkMeister Reviewed by FunkMeister on 11-12-2008. propper watering im currently using a 4.5 gallon container (beacuse of spacial issues this will be the final pot) i want to use a technique of watering that my friend calls drown and draught where i would flood the plant and then allow it to dry thuroughly so that the roots stretch. , my plant is as of now on node 5 and i want it to fill the pot appropriately, sooo.. 1. how much should i water and how often? 2. how can i tell by looking at the plant when its ready for its next watering? Rating: 5

[Shovelhandle]

I'd say aproxamately a half a gallon (two liters) for that size planter. Water slowly so that is soaks into the soil evenly. Not much water should come out the drain holes. Check by feeling the weight of the planter. A nice healthy flowering plant (four weeks into flowering) should drink two liters in two days but a lot has to do with light intensity, heat and humidity. By the time it's finished flowering it may want twice that much water. Your plant at five nodes is not very thirsty yet. So two liters may last 3-4 days.

Let us know how that works.

[FunkMeister]

ah i see, so is there any physical signs that the plant might give to say "wahhh im thirsty!" or do i really just got to feel the soil round for myself?

as well, i have a high N fert (24-8-16) that dilutes into 2 gallons of water, however im starting it off at 1 for 4 gallons, should i just use that water for the watering or should i use it seperately from my waterings?

[Shovelhandle]

You can try and feel deep as you can near the edge to feel if it's wet, or...

Notice the weight of a wet pot compared to a dry pot and go by that. I like to keep a schedule of every two days, water, next time water, next time nutes. They should be lighter two days after you water them. If they are not, then wait and give them less water next time.

[FunkMeister]

ahh i like ur schedual, however im using my ferts on low dose, so perhaps ill do water, 2 days later feed, 2 days later water, and such and such.

thanks shov, ur words of wisdom have helped me since square one :thumbsup: