soil problem

[phcovey]

i have top 44 plants growing. i started the flowering stage. but my soil seem to be really dry? but i don't want to over water because some of the older leafs have begun to look as if its been over watered or possibly not watered enough? the leafs are yellow and some of them are brittle, they crumble at the touch. maybe its to hot in my room, temps avg 77 to 80. do top 44 plants need a lot of water? is my fan drying the soil out? its not close?

phcovey Reviewed by phcovey on 08-03-2010. soil problem i have top 44 plants growing. i started the flowering stage. but my soil seem to be really dry? but i don't want to over water because some of the older leafs have begun to look as if its been over watered or possibly not watered enough? the leafs are yellow and some of them are brittle, they crumble at the touch. maybe its to hot in my room, temps avg 77 to 80. do top 44 plants need a lot of water? is my fan drying the soil out? its not close? Rating: 5

[cigarettes42]

Yes they need water. Lift a pot to see if it is light when the soil looks dry. I'm flowering in 2 gallon pots and I sometimes water everyday depending on the temps and if the plant had a growth spurt. The yellow leaves will never come back to original state. Just keep an eye on your new growth

[LUDACRIS]

i have top 44 plants growing. i started the flowering stage. but my soil seem to be really dry? but i don't want to over water because some of the older leafs have begun to look as if its been over watered or possibly not watered enough? the leafs are yellow and some of them are brittle, they crumble at the touch. maybe its to hot in my room, temps avg 77 to 80. do top 44 plants need a lot of water? is my fan drying the soil out? its not close?

Try and post some pics so we can try to help you more.
:thumbsup:

[Rusty Trichome]

If you've underwatered and the rootball is solid like a brick, a surfactant is helpful. I use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid diswashing detergent per gallon of water. (not the anti-bacterial kind...it'll kill the beneficial bacteria in the soil) The dishsoap lowers the surface tension of the water, allowing it to be easily absorbed by the peat. (in the potting soil)

Slowly add a cup or two at a time. Let it soak-in all the way, and add more. Keep up this painstakingly slow process till you start to see runoff. One of these applications is all that's necessary, but two are ok if need be. The trick is to not add the water too fast. Let it soak-in before adding more.

Adjust your watering schedule.

[WashougalWonder]

Rusty, I usually agree with you, but not this time. Conceptually, yes, a surfactant is necessary. Many folks would just grab the dish soap. Some of those soaps have not so good stuff in them. Process I agree with.

There is actually made a surfactant that you should be able to get at a farm supply store, it is used to help spread foliars on leaves. It has no bad chemicals that could damage our plants unlike SOME dish soaps.

So folks, don't just grab the dish soap, check what is in it, phosphates are bad news. A few drops of commercial surfactant and you will be all set.

[Rusty Trichome]

Sorry, I still disagree. Were the gardener having to use it on a weekly basis, I'd almost agree, but if the gardener is having to use it more than once or twice...other adjustments must be made to watering schedules and quantities, or ammend the soil itself. Using the non-antibacterial dishsoap has never had adverse effects on my ladies, (at the dilution rates used) and is much cheaper than a 'commercial' wetting agent or surfactant. It's not like we're using the stuff straight out of the bottle. :thumbsup:

Soil wetting agents
(from the article)
"How do soil wetters work?
Basically they work by making water wetter! Soil wetters are essentially the same as detergents."

If you've already paid for a wetting agent, is it a sign that this is a persistant problem needing addressing, or do ya just like buying stuff for cannabis? C'mon guys...I live and grow in the friggin desert, and RARELY have this problem. Let alone often enough to justify the unnecessary expense. (some of us are on a fixed income, and any financial savings is appreciated)

Adjust your watering schedule and/or quantities...and the use of a wetting agent is a moot point. Debatable, but irrelevant.

[bigtopsfinn]

Have you checked to see if they are rootbound?

[scrumby]

The washing machine was flooding my septic tank, so i dug a field line through my backyard for the let out. There is a jungle where the line lets out, and I sometimes use the water when it pools for my garden. The peppers love it.