Immediate Runoff when watering

[greenops]

I don't believe I'm the only one this is happening to.
There will be 1 out of 3 pots that have this issue.
I'm using the same pot size, soil and watering interval for all the plants.

Then come watering time, I got these pots that let out the runoff out the bottom right after I pour the water on top of the soil.

I'm always confused on how much water those pots need? They feel just as light and dry as the others before watering. I've read that too much runoff will flush the nutes out, but if I stop as soon as the water drips out, the plant won't hold as much water as they should.

Any tips and tricks?

Thanks!

 

[TURBD]

Sometimes I loosen up the soil on top of the pot.
Water in 1/3rds put in a bit. Wait for it to soak in. Water more.
Feed everytime with less strength. Then you can't "flush out" the nutes as your flushing with more nutes.
I am not a master grower just offering ideas.

 

[PuReKnOwLeDgE]

Sounds like your pot was aloud to get pretty dry, causing the water to run right down the sides. The above poster gave good advice, loosen the topsoil, and water slowly.

 

[stihgnobevoli]

soil is too dry, i hear people say you should add a drop of dish soap to the water to help with breaking the surface tension. but that shit never worked for me, so heres what ido. i jab apencil into the pot from the edge area down and towards the center of the pot. i do that like 3-4 times. don't worry about the roots too much, it's pointy and if they hit roots they will just push them aside for the most part. after that water really slowly. a tiny amount like 1/4 cup at atime. let it soak in before adding more. after you get runoff wait like 10 minutes then water again a little more till you see some more runoff. in the future don't let the pots get so dry before you water. also try to break up the soil alittle by squeezing the sides of the pot a little till the soil cracks up.

 

[TribalSeeds]

Have you taken the plant out of the pot recently? Sometimes that can loosen up the rootball and you will have water going right down the sides.
If the plant stops uptaking water you can start to see this also. Hopefully the root system is still ok.
When the pots are too dry and get rock hard this can also happen.

 

[Weezard]

Yes, a drop of soap in the water will lower the surface tension of the water and allow it to properly moisten too dry a soil.
Add one drop to a pint of water.
Water slowly and wait about 20 minutes.
Then, water as usual and it should accept more water.

What old time gardeners would do for dry-lock, is water from the bottom.
Put some soaped water in a dishpan, set your container in it and wait a while.
The low surface tension water wicks up by capillary action.
I don't recommend that for cannabis, it tends to get too wet.

Try to water the next round before the soil begins to shrink.
If you see a tiny separation 'tween soil and pot, it's time.

Aloha,
Weezard

 

[Sat X RB]

I second the idea of watering from the bottom. I do this all the time to avoid the problems described above.

simply place a saucer under yr pot. if your pots are big put a dustbin lid under yr pot! or a sheet of black plastic and raise the edges to make a dish.

don't make the saucer/dish too deep. say 3/4 inch for an 8" pot ... up to 2" deep for a 5gal/20litre pot.

and when it's hot and the plant is growing quickly you can fill these quite often.

cheers!

 

[Capt.Ahab]

Last time I had that problem I simply took the plant, pot and all, and put it in a large tub filled with water and gave it a good soaking. Take it out after it is thoroughly wet and allow it to drain. Problem solved.

 

[greenops]

Thanks for the tip guys.
Unfortunately that watering from the bottom wont work for me because I'm scrogging so I can't lift the pots anymore. I'm also pretty sure that the soil isn't too dry at the time I'm watering.. But I will try to poke some holes and water slower.

 

[myiqis55]

Thanks for the tip guys.
Unfortunately that watering from the bottom wont work for me because I'm scrogging so I can't lift the pots anymore. I'm also pretty sure that the soil isn't too dry at the time I'm watering.. But I will try to poke some holes and water slower.

the soils to dry. water them a day sooner. my solution, just flood it

 

[the gnome]

too dry as said....
don't try and give the entire feeding in 1 shot
I know round about when and how much my plants take.
I use a qt mayo or p-nutbutter jar to water and it takes 2-3 of those depending how dry,
so i hit everything with it once and by the time I get back to the 1st plant its ready for the next shot of water.

i'm in 3 gallon bags so this works well.

 

[trichrider]

Thanks for the tip guys.
Unfortunately that watering from the bottom wont work for me because I'm scrogging so I can't lift the pots anymore. I'm also pretty sure that the soil isn't too dry at the time I'm watering.. quote]
why?
what are your plants sitting in? or on? now?
and how long have they been in those containers? could it be that they're root bound ?

i try to keep water running down around the stem by making the top of soil sloping in towards it, or in other words packing dirt along the sides of the container higher than the center so the water pools into the center.

also frequency of watering will keep it from getting too dry.

the myth of the drying out is deeply ingrained but absurd.

when you are done with harvest check your rootball, you may need larger pots or shorter veg.

peace

 

[Elevated]

I experienced this as well.

My problem was caused by waiting longer than I should have to transplant.

 

[DarthFader1]

Yup water is running down the sides for sure. Good tips above, when you cultivate the top soil a bit make sure there are no gaps around the side of the container for the water to go down. This happens to me a bit in grow bags; i remedy this by pushing the top soil out to the sides of the bags to make sure there are no gaps if that makes sense.

 

[dogfishheadie]

you need to mulch. go and read this thread, great info.

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=168805

 

[Howard Marks]

Spray the top soil with some water with a hand pulverizer,this will loosen the soil for a better penetration then begin to slowly water your plants from middle of the pot to the edges. Thats what i do for a good watering.

 

[moonymonkey]

if you want the plant to take up a certain amont of water by bottom watering,measure the given time its submerged say 5mintues,measure the weight..is that same weight of pot after u normally waterfrom top peace mm/chemical bro.s...no advertise intended

 

[supermanlives]

I water 2 times . just a bit at first then let soil moisten and water again. keeps runoff to a minimum. I use trays anyhow so runoff gets sucked back up

 

[Hammerhead]

Ya I have never had this problem. I don't let the pots dry out that much.

 

[Kush Technician]

You do want a dry pot in between watering if in soil, since this will encourage air roots and promote healthy microbes. As everyone else here is pointing out, you need to stir up the top layer of soil somewhat. Bamboo skewers are great at poking and breaking up the soil across a scrogged tray -- nice reach and a good point. This lets fresh air in too.