journeyquest
Member
Is it a good idea to keep water in the drain pan for the roots? I feed from the top but was wondering if the roots sense water below and grow stronger/longer roots? I put about 2in of lava rock at bottom of pot.
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Bottom feeder?
- Thread starter journeyquest
- Start date
journeyquest
Member
What im asking is if i should keep water in the drain pan all the time even though i feed from the top. Sometimes i let the topsoil dry a little for air. I imagine stronger roots equals stronger plant.
loko17
Member
No , not all the time! When u do your watering you can leave some water in the drain pan just dont refill it.
On my last setup, in soil, 3 gallon pots, I was having troubles with the TOP and BOTTOM of the pots drying out, while the middle of the soil was still WET.
I was watering from TOP and BOTTOM with GREAT results. It sucks the water from the pans up rapidly. Dont let it sit in the water for too long.
I was watering from TOP and BOTTOM with GREAT results. It sucks the water from the pans up rapidly. Dont let it sit in the water for too long.
What you're looking for is a cycle. Water at the top drains through the soil, forcing out old oxygen and sucking fresh air in behind it. Fill the pan with water, the soil won't drain as effectively. Stale air is trapped in, fresh air is locked out.
I water both ways. My whole veg chamber can be flooded. Since I have so much coco coir in my mix, I don't have to worry about how watered most of them are, if only one NEEDS the water, they can all get it and never drown. I'm uncertain why not every soil grower on these boards uses coco coir. In my experience what works best is to water from the top, but keep the planter in a dish or a tray of some kind so the excess that runs through the pot can build up and then wick back into the mix. Sometimes water doesn't really soak in on the first pass. Ever notice how the first few pours of water seem to run straight through the pot? It's because they do! Reclaiming it in this way not only doesn't waste water, but it also makes certain the plants are watered.
journeyquest
Member
If i had more equipment and experience i would prolly gro hydroponics but the soil i buy already has ferts in it and its easier and way cheaper to just use a soil mix. My plants are doing very well. I do wish i had an adjustable light hanger. And some more cfl for vegging. Just a matter of time. Thanks.
