I’m not talking about a blonde Rastafarian, this is a reference to the fairy tale character. You know, she doesn’t like too much, or too little – she prefers it just right.
I believe that the top problems with home grows are over-watering, under-watering, and over-fertilization. The latter is a topic for another day. We’ll tackle these top problems by describing how a cultivator can achieve the perfect level of moisture for their cannabis crop. I believe this to be the number one top skill that a new cultivator should develop. This can be achieved with no special tools or equipment and is largely based on experience. I know, you don’t have much experience. That’ s ok!
The ‘lift method’ is a time tested process during which, a soil farmer will lift containers and, judging by the weight, determine when and how much to water. You see, water weighs over 8#/gallon and saturated soils will be a great deal heavier than dry soils. I highly recommend this method to all beginners.
Your first step is to develop a frame of reference. To do this you will need to gather a collection of pots that you will be using in your grow. You will also need a bag of the soil you intend to use as well. Optionally, this would be a good time to get out a bathroom scale and/or an analog soil moisture meter (~$10), both of which can take some of the guess work out of it early on.
Fill each sized pot with soil fresh out of the bag. Gently tap or agitate the pots to make sure no large air pockets exist (do not pack the soil). Now lift each pot and note the weight. They’re very light, aren’t they? Nearly all companies ship their mixed soils when dry. Water is heavy and costly to ship after all. Weigh each pot on with the bathroom scale and note the weight. Use your moisture meter if you have one, note that it is in the red (dry) zone? If you have plants in soil this dry, you have a problem and they are experiencing drought-stress – droopy and wilted.
Now water your soil from the bottom by placing each pot, or all pots, in a catch tray and filling the tray up with an inch or two of water. Be amazed (or not) as the water in the tray slowly disappears, soaking into the soil by what’s known as ‘capillary action.’ Keep adding water, an inch or two at a time. Wait until it nearly disappears before adding more. This will take quite some time for a first time hydration, but eventually the pot will refuse to soak up any more water. Empty the tray and water just a little from the top. Within a few minutes you should see most of it seep out of the bottom of the pot.
There’s a good chance, if you were patient enough, that you have perfectly moisturized your soil. Dig a hand into the center of the pot, is it evenly moist? It should be. Take out a fistful of the moist soil and squeeze it. It should release a few drops of water, but it shouldn’t be like wringing out a sponge (that’s too much water). If you were able to squeeze out a few drops of water and your moisture meter is in the green zone, this is perfectly moist soil.
Pick up each container and memorize that weight by feel. Weigh it on the scale and double check with your meter. This is what a well hydrated (field capacityThis refers to the water content of soil. The easiest way to... More) soil feels like.
NOTE: Always make sure your OLSOrganic Living Soil More is hydrated before transplanting into it, or placing seeds in it. It is also wise to hydrate OLSOrganic Living Soil More several days in advance of transplanting and then feeling the middle to see if it is heating up. If it does, keep watered and let sit until it cools. Hot soil will harm roots and/or starve plants for nutrients. Different formulations of soil can also vary a lot in weight so be mindful when/if you change soils.
How much and how often to water is a different matter entirely. When using OLSOrganic Living Soil More you should rarely water enough to have run-off from the drainage holes. You see, when you get run-off this also means that you are flushingthe act of rinsing nutrients from a medium as well as leechi... More nutrients out of your soil. OLSOrganic Living Soil More should never be flushed – so don’t water that much. However, it’s fine to water until just a little seeps out the bottom. This is a good way to know that you have hydrated the entire soil system to field capacityThis refers to the water content of soil. The easiest way to... More. Whatever you do, don’t wait until they wilt. This kills microbes and stresses out the plant. If they’re starting to feel light, go ahead and water.
How much and how often to water depends not only on the medium, but also on the pots used. For example: Sohum soils in fabric pots will require about a quart of water per day per cubic foot (7.5 gallons) of soil. Once a week you’ll need to water at least double that in order to see a bit of seepage out of the bottom. On the other hand, a moist DIY OLS mix would need about half that water. Sohum is almost 50% perlite which dries quickly and resists absorbing water in favor or retaining air – though it is ideal for bottom watering.
I do recommend watering until you see seepage once a week, particularly in fabric pots. Not run-off mind you, just a little seepage.
Again, refer to the weight to know when and how much to water. Take your time with it at first and make notes as well. As the mass of the plants grow the over-all weight will increase as well as their need for water. By the end of the plant’s life, your watering schedule will be routine.
Finally, I also recommend you experiment with watering from the bottom, as described above. It can be a great way to hydrate your soil without flushingthe act of rinsing nutrients from a medium as well as leechi... More nutrients and is the basis for the design of sub-irrigation planters. Your plants will love you if you can make it through their entire life without under or over watering them. Soon, you’ll be watering your weed like Goldilocks and your garden will reward you handsomely for it!
Happy Harvests!
— The Lit Farmer —