How To Water Your Plants Correctly:
If you’re looking to grow healthy, thriving cannabis plants, one of the more crucial aspects is to master your watering technique. Proper watering techniques can make the difference between a huge harvest and a disappointing one.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of watering cannabis plants, covering everything from the basics of overwatering and underwatering to more advanced topics like pH, temperature, and EC.
We’ll also discuss different watering methods, such as top and bottom watering, and when to water to runoff or flush your plants.
Over Watering And Under Watering
One of the most common mistakes new eager growers make is either overwatering their cannabis plants. Both underwatering and overwatering can lead to serious issues, but it’s important to understand the difference between the two.
Overwatering
This occurs when you give your plants more water than they can absorb, leading to waterlogged soil and poor root oxygenation. Signs of overwatering are slower than underwatering but include:
- A water heavy pot
- Drooping leaves that feel heavy, soft and limp
- Yellowing leaves, especially lower ones
- Slow growth and dark soil
- Mold or algae growth on the soil surface
Underwatering
This happens when you don’t provide enough love and water for your plants, causing them to become dehydrated and get stressed. Signs of underwatering include:
- Hanging leaves that feel crispy or brittle
- Curling or cupping of leaves
- Slowed or stunted growth
- Dry, cracked soil surface.
It’s worth noting that underwatering is generally easier to fix than overwatering. If you catch an under watered plant in time, you can usually revive it by giving it a good, thorough drink. Overwatered plants, however, may take longer to recover, as the roots need time to dry out and heal.
Watering Techniques: Top vs. Bottom Watering
When it comes to actually watering your cannabis plants, there are two main methods: top watering and bottom watering.
Top Watering
Top watering is the easiest method of watering, and involves applying water directly to the soil surface, either with a watering can, hose or sprayer. When top watering, it’s important to:
- Water your plants very slowly and evenly, allowing the water to absorb and penetrate all of the soil without running off too quickly
- Avoid getting water on the leaves, as this can lead to mold and disease issues
- Water around the base of the plant but not onto the main stem directly. Disperse your water to encourage root development
- Water only until you see a small amount of runoff coming out of the drainage holes (more on this later)
Bottom Watering
Bottom watering involves placing your pots in a deep tray of water and allowing the soil to absorb moisture from the bottom up. This method can be slower but it is beneficial because:
- It encourages deeper root growth
- It reduces the risk of overwatering, as the soil will only absorb as much water as it needs
- It can help prevent soil compaction and improve aeration
Ultimately, the choice between top and bottom watering comes down to personal preference, experience and your specific growing setup.
The Importance of Proper pH, Temperature, and EC
In addition to the actual watering process, there are a few key factors to keep in mind when it comes to the water you use for your cannabis plants.
pH, or potential hydrogen, refers to the acidity or alkalinity level of your water. Cannabis plants prefer a slightly acidic environment, with a pH range of 6.0-6.8 for their soil. If your water is too acidic or alkaline, it can affect the nutrient availability and uptake, leading to deficiencies or toxicities.
Temperature is another important consideration. Water that is too cold can shock your plants’ roots, while water that is too warm can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. Aim for a water temperature around 20-25°C.
Finally, EC, or electrical conductivity, measures the total dissolved solids (salts) in your water. While cannabis plants do need some dissolved minerals for proper growth, too high of an EC can lead to nutrient burn and other issues. Generally, an EC range of 0.8-1.2 is ideal for cannabis plants in soil.
Watering to Runoff and Flushing
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to water your cannabis plants until you see a small amount of runoff coming out of the drainage holes. This runoff helps to:
- Ensure that the entire root zone is getting moistened
- Prevent salt and nutrient buildup in the soil
- Provide a way to monitor the pH and EC of your soil
Every few waterings, it’s a good idea to water till runoff and collect the runoff to test its pH and EC. If the runoff values are significantly different from your input water, it may indicate that you need to adjust your feeding or watering schedule.
Flushing
This involves heavily watering your plants with the goal of removing excess nutrients from the soil. This is typically done:
- A week or two before harvest, to improve flavor and smoothness of the final product
- If you notice signs of nutrient burn or other nutrient-related issues
When flushing, use plain, pH-adjusted water and continue watering until you see a significant amount of runoff (around 20-50% of the volume of your pot).
Conclusion
The goal is to strike a balance between providing enough water for your plants to thrive, while also avoiding the pitfalls of overwatering or underwatering. By paying attention to your plants’ needs, monitoring your water quality, and adjusting your techniques as needed, you’ll be well on your way to growing healthy, vibrant cannabis plants.
And of course, don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you and your specific growing setup. With a little patience and practice, you’ll soon be a master of the art of watering cannabis plants!
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