"Rules of Thumb" for watering guerilla plants

[badbeans]

I really enjoy seeing all the different techniques growers use to pull off a successfull grow.

I realize that everyone's growing conditions are different, and that different plants have different growing requirments. But one thing that I've noticed that is not mentioned often, is how much to water and how often?

We all want to limit our visits to the grow site; so how do you determine how much water to give and how often to give it? At my spots this year I must bring my own water, there is no nearby source. I'm sure plant size and temperatures factor in your plants needs. I'm trying to grow smaller plants (August clones!) that should require less watering this year. I don't want to carry 5 gallons when maybe my patch only requires 3 gallons, but I also don't want to give 3 gallons when they NEED 5 gallons... get my line of thinking here???

Hopefully this thread will help other newer growers like me to manage their guerilla gardens.

Post up your "Rules of Thumb" for watering your plants!

bb

 

[THC123]

i just look at the weather , if it is really hot and it hasn't rained for 2 weeks i go and give water , about 1/4 gallon per plant

I also mix water polymers in my soil mix so the soil has a more water retention

 

[badbeans]

i just look at the weather , if it is really hot and it hasn't rained for 2 weeks i go and give water , about 1/4 gallon per plant

I also mix water polymers in my soil mix so the soil has a more water retention

Thanks this is the kind of info I'm looking for!

In the situation you described I would give more water a quarter gallon seems like not enough. What if your plant was 2-4 ft tall? A plant that size would surely need more than a quarter gallon wouldnt it?

Maybe what I'm looking for is something like...

"for temps in the 90's for 10 days or so with no rain, I would give a gallon per plant that is 18 - 36 inches"

now I just made that crap up^ I really dont know. Which is why I made this post. Keep them coming growers!

bb

 

[gaiusmarius]

i don't think you can make a rule of thumb for watering guerrilla plants. there are too many factors involved. once plants are planted directly in the soil you have to judge it according to what kind of soil mix (ie water retention capacity of mix), then come the weather, really hot weather will mean more watering then milder weather. lastly the size of the plants play a large roll too. once your plants reach the size of some of these massive bushes you can see on this site, you will need many gallons of water per plant per watering. while plants in the early stages might need only a half liter or so each. what i'm saying is that without exact info and even pic of the plant it's impossible to say.

mind you, i'm just learning my outdoor guerrilla growing nowadays, so maybe someone else has more to add. i do know that letting your plants go without water when they need it will reduce yield.

 

[.clunk]

I water with an automatic timer and drip emitters on a gravity-fed waterline from a diverted creek - they get watered as often as I set the timer for so it's easy to control waterings.

I find that you really need to evaluate your soil medium and its water holding capacities. Usually I would only be watering with 1/2 gallon/day in pro-mix in 8 gallon grow-bags but this year I've dug holes and used around 65% native sand with some peat and perlite added in. These plants are already taking 2 gallons/day of water and in the heat of the summer I bet I'll have to at least double that. With the sandy medium I'm having to treat it a little more like a hydro medium, so far I'm seeing amazing growth though with the regular waterings and fertilization.

 

[bagada]

i think if your hauling water you need to make those guerilla water collars....just search for the thread...its supposed to conserve alot of water....and polymers would be good too

 

[D.S. Toker. MD]

I have a rule of thumb

Cannabis needs 3/4" of rain per week. I keep a rain chart and if im not getting an average of 3/4 per week then i will start to pay attention to the soil and the plants.

10 days without rain or water and temps in them mid 80's = Begin 1 gallon per week.

2o days without rain = 2 gallons per plant per week

30 days without rain = 2 gallons per plant /3 days.

45 days with no rain = sorry about your sore back and good luck to you.

Im with bagada, this thread, especially the stuff near the end of the thread, has been invaluable to me.
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=106606


I know one thing for absolute positive and its that dry soil ALWAYS leads to late, slow flowering and delayed harvest. With my own eyes i have seen drought cause plants that would normally finish in 55 days at the end of september not finish at all or as late as early november. Extended dry soil is devastating to cannabis.

 

[Scrogerman]

Our Summer aint that Hot, but we have had some good heat of late though, im giving 1/2 Gallon per plant every 4 days(12-16" in height), but ive realised this isnt enough, rainfall is at a minimum so i got problems & a sore back is gonna be imminent if this keeps up. im going to have to double my irrigations or the plants are gonna continue to suffer, they were coming lovely to.
Insects seem to be a problem too & i now know i should of treated them before they went out, im going to apply a systemic spray(organic) on my next visit & lay down some anti slug treatment! Seems like a Bad year for Bugs this year!
Great thread BTW! G'Luck Everyone

 

[FlyinHawaiian]

read some of backcountry's threads especially if you grow in a dry climate, he has some awesome ideas and explains them very clear, their a great inspiration too

 

[SmilinBob]

You can also lay down some sort of mulch to help shield the soil from direct sunlight. So it holds water even longer.