Watering Question Please!

[GodBud]

I am using a top feed system I made. Its a very slow drip, like maybe 20 drops a minute out of 1/4" tubing. My beans just sprouted they are about 1" tall. How much water do I need to feed these babies? Do I keep it constant or do I need to get them on a schedule. My medium is Hydroton in 5" net pots.

Thanks :rasta:

GodBud Reviewed by GodBud on 01-05-2007. Watering Question Please! I am using a top feed system I made. Its a very slow drip, like maybe 20 drops a minute out of 1/4" tubing. My beans just sprouted they are about 1" tall. How much water do I need to feed these babies? Do I keep it constant or do I need to get them on a schedule. My medium is Hydroton in 5" net pots. Thanks :rasta: Rating: 5

[sxgrower]

Hard to say, you want to plant to get enough water to stay happy, but you don't want your hydroton to stay constantly soaked IMHO. Plants like yours like short drying periods I've heard. Thats why you only flood 1 or 2 times a day with an ebb and flow, it gets everything wet and feed, and then lets everything dry out and breath in between.

But a drip is different, my guess would be that you're good, and you'll need more flow as the plant grows. Just watch the plant, if it gets droopy and the hydroton is wet or moist, then it's probably too wet.

[Zandor]

Well at this point your are in the seedling cycle. They should be under fluorescent light and kept warm. Seedlings are not feed any nutrients yet and drippers with seedlings can be trouble by over watering them. The root zone in seedlings is very delicate and can turn to root rot quickly.

[GodBud]

Thanks for the comments. I have the beans under Floros with a small heater that goes off every 45 minutes or so. I guess I will water them on the drip while I am gone at my job then when I get home turn off the water until the next morning then turn it back on before I head out to work. Right now the cotyledon leaves seem a little droopy but they appear to look okay. Its just to early to tell.

Thanks

[deftdrummer]

ya probably too early. Other than that I think drip systems run 24/7. Just gotta make sure them roots is dryin up during the dark cycle as such a young age.

[alwayssleepdeprived]

Hey Zandor does the type of light matter for seedlings? or is it just so yer not wasting unused portions? like if ya have a hid light if you just had it higher above would they still be fine or is the light of the flouro's better for babies?

[GodBud]

Floros would be more cost effective but you could use HID set higher if you wanted.

[alwayssleepdeprived]

Thanks it's good to know GodBud, I was figuring the same thing but just wanted to make sure...I'm actually thinking about a light meter to get an idea of how much light they can take at different stages I'm planning to start a journal once I'm done working on the room still got another week or 2 but hopefully I can get a jump start this coming week

[Zandor]

Hey Zandor does the type of light matter for seedlings? or is it just so yer not wasting unused portions? like if ya have a hid light if you just had it higher above would they still be fine or is the light of the flouro's better for babies?

I prefer fluorescents for clones & seedlings. You can get it close and not have the heat issue that you have with HID. If you raise the HID light 24 inches above the plants then the usable lumens are just about zero for the plant. As we are providing light for the plant then you are better off with one you can get close with out the heat issues.