I did. Diatomaceous earth as a quick fix for the few flying bugs I’ve seen in there. They aren’t really a problem but I’m hoping that will keep it from getting out of hand
It’s diatomaceous earth to hopefully control a growing fungus gnat problem. It tracks with overwatering
Another indication of overwatering.
*Edit
I see you understand that. That’s very good!
This was the mistake I made with ocean forest soil. My runoffs would be around 5.8 and I freaked out and attempted to raise that ph. That’s where healthy plants started getting issues. Let the soil buffer how it buffers. Just make sure your feed (input) is in a good ph range. Don’t worry about the runoff ph and focus on the runoff ppm/ec.
So a lot of people are suggesting I not water to run off. I always thought that with a cloth pot you give it to the plant, it takes what it can and the rest runs out. “You don’t over water by giving too much water, you overwater by giving water too often”. Are you just saying on the occasion that I do happen to get run off, I should not worry about the ph? Or should I water until run off each time?
Remind me of the nutrients you’re running. Two reasons for runoff: 1-to ensure it’s watered completely, 2-to monitor ppm/ec. Some nutrients it’s best to get runoff to keep an eye out for any salt (nutrient) buildup (like fox farms nutrients) so you know when to do your flushes. When using Jacks 321 nutes there was no need for runoff.
I bottom feed/water first and then dump the remainder in the top. So if I water 1 gallon, I pour 1/2 gallon into the tray and set my pot in it. Then put the other half in the top. I let it sit there for about an hour or so and put my plants back on the rack and put the drip tray below the rack.
The plan is to use the GH flora series, but thus far I’ve not put any in. I’m just letting the happy frog do its thing for now. The only thing I’ve added to the water was some calmag - I only did that to get some ppm into my water.
This is off topic but The EC of my run off is like 3.2, which is way higher than the target EC numbers I see on charts. Why isn’t it killing my plant? Something to do with the nutrients that come pre amended in the soil releasing slowly? Whereas a synthetic nute is immediately available, is that right?
Unless I’m misunderstanding, many people are saying not to water it completely. Like 5-10% of pot volume.
Don’t worry about the EC of your soil until it starts dropping. That’s letting you know the organic food is depleting. Yes, organic food is made available by time. The time it takes your soil microbes to break it down into usable fuel. The microbes consume the products that are unavailable to the plant and the stuff they poop out is what the plant can consume. Synthetics are already broken down and are ready for uptake and that’s how plants get nute burned.
I’ve always heard with happy frog no nutes for the first 3-4 weeks. I’m halfway into week 4 and still at 3.2 ec. That’s not weird?
Water it completely. The plants will wilt for a few hours and then thrive. They’re like a snake in this nature. Give them a meal and they’re good for a while.
It’s not an exact science, it depends on your plants root development. Big roots, more consumption. Smaller roots, less consumption.
And also the health of your microbes. Using things like molasses will feed the microbes and cause them to multiply and start breaking down the organic material in the soil
I have used great white and recharge great white at transplant and a couple watering and recharge twice
Recharge is microbes and great white is mycorrhizae which is a fungi that helps with root development. The mycorrhizae is great stuff but takes time to colonize. So don’t waste it if you’re in the flowering phase. You’ll be harvesting by the time it starts to put in work.
Here’s what it looked like after getting home from a vacation. No water while I was gone and it was totally dried out. Like bone dry.
Here’s what it looks like 2 hours after being given water. Added 1ml/gal of calmag to raise input EC to 0.3 and input ph was 6.3. Didn’t measure any run off.
Still doesn’t look great to me but I guess it is what it is.
The lower leaves seem to be turning a bit lighter green.
Man, even the pics where you say it’s bone dry doesn’t look like a thirsty plant. Looks like a soggy plant still.
I thought so too but dude that sucker was DRY. It may be over watered but I think there may be a second issue
Still having fungus gnat issues? I see that diatomaceous earth on it again. If so let that plant dry out until you get the “thirsty limp”. If it’s a photo plant and not an auto it’s not going to hurt anything.
Also, pour that diatomaceous earth on the soil, not the plant.