Avoid Common Cannabis Watering Mistakes for Optimal Yields

 

Watering plants - it seems like a simple enough task, right? Yet, step into the world of plant enthusiasts, and you'll find a lot of conflicting advice, from the "drench daily" brigade to the "let them dry out completely" camp. Beginners are left bewildered, while seasoned growers engage in never-ending debates.

This isn't the Wild West of watering - it's a science-backed adventure. Sure, there are a million variables to consider - growing medium, environment, humidity, and even your plant's specific needs. But amidst the complexity, one truth remains constant: we all want healthy, thriving plants that reward us with bountiful harvests.

And here's the good news: Cannabis, like many plants, is surprisingly adaptable. You can find success with various watering methods, but that doesn't mean they're all created equal. We believe in harnessing the power of established scientific knowledge, knowledge tested and refined over centuries.

So, let's ditch the confusion and embrace the science. Stay tuned as we navigate the fascinating world of watering, armed with facts and practical tips to unlock your Cannabis plant's true potential!

Optimising Your Plant's Nutrients

Adding water-soluble fertilisers like NEWTS to your watering routine involves several key variables! Consider these fundamental elements:

1. Nutrient Element Ratio (NER): NER describes the proportions of individual nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Different elements have synergistic or antagonistic effects on each other, meaning they either work together beautifully or compete, hindering absorption. Thankfully, NEWTS has meticulously pre-balanced these ratios, eliminating complex mixing and ensuring your plants' NER is perfectly formulated.

2. Fertiliser Concentration:Too much fertiliser can disrupt vital processes. We utilise Electroconductivity (EC) as a standardised measure to guarantee the precise amount of fertiliser that maximises your plant's growth without overdoing it.

3. Solution pH:Your water's pH level directly impacts nutrient availability. Solutions with a pH above 6.5 or below 5.5 render crucial minerals inaccessible to your plants. Maintaining a neutral pH of 6.0 throughout your grow ensures your plants can make use of the nutrients efficiently.

4. Watering Frequency: The frequency depends on the size of the pot you are using and the substrate -

• Pot Size: Smaller pots dry out faster, demanding more frequent watering compared to larger containers.
• Substrate: Soil-based mediums require drying periods to allow root respiration, while coco-perlite thrives on consistent moisture.

How do plants take up water?

Let's delve into the fascinating world of plant hydration, focusing specifically on Cannabis, which is a vascular plant. You likely know that plants take up water through osmosis, but what exactly does that mean for your Cannabis cultivation?

Osmosis is essentially the natural diffusion of water from high-concentration areas (low water potential) to low-concentration areas (high water potential). Simply put, the water and dissolved nutrients (sugars, starches, minerals) inside the plant's roots are more concentrated than the surrounding growing medium. This concentration difference creates a "suction" effect, drawing water and nutrients into the roots through a semi-permeable membrane.

Here's where things get interesting for Cannabis growers: overly strong fertiliser solutions can disrupt this delicate process. When the concentration outside the roots becomes higher than what's inside, it actually reverses osmosis. Instead of water flowing in, the plant loses water from its leaves in a desperate attempt to balance the concentration gradient. This is what we call "nutrient burn," characterised by wilting and brown leaf tips.

Now, picture your Cannabis plant functioning optimally. Its roots efficiently absorb water and nutrients, which are then transported through the xylem (think tiny plant veins) to reach every corner, including the leaf cells. These chlorophyll-containing cells are the powerhouses of photosynthesis, using sunlight, water, and CO2 (taken in through tiny leaf openings called stomata) to manufacture the fuel (glucose) and building blocks your plant needs to thrive. Oxygen and water vapour are released as byproducts through the stomata.

It's crucial to remember that all these processes are interconnected. If any factor, including improper watering or an overly concentrated nutrient solution, disrupts this delicate balance, the stomata close up as a defence mechanism, effectively shutting down photosynthesis, water uptake, and growth.

From Thirsty to Thriving: Addressing Overwatering and Underwatering

Alright, enough with the science talk! Let's get to the practical stuff - how to actually water and feed your plants!

The Dreaded Underwatering: We've all been there - a wilting plant, a dry pot, and the sinking feeling of underwatering. Here's the fix:

1. Lighten Up: Gently lift the pot. Is it light and dry? That's a telltale sign of underwatering.
2. Hydration Boost: Provide a medium-strength nutrient solution at a pH of 6.0. This will rehydrate your thirsty plant.
3. Change the Environment: If possible, increase the humidity around your plant and slightly lower the temperature.
4. Seek Shade (Outdoors): If your plant is wilting severely outdoors, give it a temporary break from the harsh sun by placing it in some shade.

Most plants recover from underwatering within a few hours, so relax and watch your plant perk up!

The Overwatering Trap: Overwatering can be trickier. A plant suffering from overwatering might wilt just like an underwatered one, leading to even more watering, which only worsens the problem. Here's why:

• Oxygen Deprivation: When the roots are constantly waterlogged, they can't access enough oxygen, which is crucial for their health.
• Root Rot Risk: This lack of oxygen creates a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, leading to root rot and stem rot, which are difficult to combat.

How to Fix Overwatering: If you have watered your plant excessively, the first step to take is to allow a few days to pass until the soil is completely dry. You can also improve drainage to prevent the substrate from retaining too much moisture.

Remember: Hydroponic systems use strong air pumps for a reason - to provide oxygen to their water-suspended roots.

Watering for Soil

Planting Cannabis in the soil is the most convenient option for growers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is the easiest.

Nourishing Your Soil Foundation:

Start by amending your square meter area with a generous 20-centimetre layer of high-quality compost. This not only adds valuable nutrients but also helps your soil retain moisture more effectively. To prevent a potential pH drop caused by nitrate buildup, sprinkle a small amount of agricultural lime (easily found at nurseries) over the area.

Maintaining the Optimal pH Balance:

Throughout your grow cycle, aim for a consistent pH of 6.0. This sweet spot ensures all the essential nutrients are readily available to your plants. NEWTS fertilisers are formulated without harsh salts that can contribute to soil acidity, so you're covered on that front!

Watering Through the Plant's Stages:

Adjust your watering frequency as your plant matures. Seedlings and young cuttings require a gentle approach: a small watering around the roots every 2-3 days with a diluted nutrient solution (EC 1.0) made by combining equal parts NEWTS Veg A and B.

Outdoor giants, however, become water guzzlers. As they grow larger, they might need daily or near-daily watering with full-strength fertiliser, following your chosen nutrient schedule. Remember, soil and compost have a high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), meaning they can hold a significant amount of nutrients, especially if you have naturally good soil.

Combating Summer's Thirst:

During hot and windy summers, your cannabis plants will need extra hydration. In these situations, consider lowering your EC slightly to around 1.6 and supplying them with larger amounts of water. Some outdoor giants can consume a staggering 30-40 litres every three days!

Preventing Nutrient Buildup:

While maintaining a higher EC can be beneficial, it's crucial to occasionally flush your soil with plain tap water. This prevents an unhealthy buildup of excess nutrients, which can become toxic to your plants. Flushing is especially important during dry spells to maintain a healthy and balanced soil environment.

Consistency is Key:

By following these guidelines and adapting them to your specific plant and growing conditions, you can create a thriving soil haven for your Cannabis plants. Consistency is key to success!

Watering for Containers

Planting in containers gives growers the freedom to specifically select the substrate used to best match their plant's needs.

Understanding Your Potting Mix:

Skip the garden soil! Its poor drainage harms Cannabis grown in pots. Choose a high-quality, pre-mixed potting mix designed for containers. These mixes include ingredients like compost, coco coir, and worm castings, offering optimal drainage, aeration, and nutrients for your plants. Look for a Cannabis-specific mix, as they often avoid large bark chips, which hinder root growth.

Feeding Your Mix:

The approach to feeding depends on how your soil mix is amended. Heavily amended mixes containing guano, bone meal, worm castings, or manure tend to release nutrients over time. In such cases, go lighter on the watering, avoid runoff, and use a lower EC (Max 1.6) with NEWTS, potentially even skipping a feed every other watering.

Most commercially available Cannabis mixes aren't heavily amended, so you can generally feed at every watering. However, it's always safer to err on the side of caution and occasionally flush with plain water, especially as your plant grows larger and its health changes. Be mindful of the size and health of your plant when determining feeding frequency. Large, fully rooted plants might even require daily watering in soil.

pH - Finding the Sweet Spot:

Many might tell you not to worry about pH in soil, citing its natural buffering capacity. While somewhat true, growing in containers is an artificial environment. To play it safe and maximise efficiency, we recommend adjusting your feeding solution to a pH of 6. This applies equally to soil and soilless mediums, and NEWTS fertilisers won't acidify your mix, eliminating the need to raise the pH to 6.5, as some suggest.

Aeration: The Key to Healthy Roots:

Unlike ground soil, container mixes generally have less aeration and porosity. This makes overwatering a real risk, especially for young plants adjusting to a larger pot. To avoid suffocating the roots, allow the top 2-3 centimetres of the soil to dry out between waterings.

Here's a helpful tip for beginners: feel the weight of the pot after watering and again after 2-3 days. The pot should feel noticeably lighter before you water again.

By following these guidelines and adapting them to your specific plant and conditions, you can become a watering pro and ensure your container-grown Cannabis thrives!

Watering for Coco-Perlite

Coco-perlite, when used correctly, is a horticultural marvel. It holds an astounding 60% water by volume while still providing excellent air circulation, mimicking the benefits of a hydroponic medium. However, unlocking its full potential requires specific care.

Preparation is Key:

High-quality coco should be washed and buffered beforehand (many commercially available products fall short here!). Look for a stringy, fluffy texture. While coco peat (fine dust) is usable, treat it like soil, allowing slight drying periods as its aeration is lower.

Understanding Wet-Dry Cycles:

Unlike soil, established coco-perlite should be kept consistently moist and not subjected to wet-dry cycles (except for seedlings and new cuttings). This is where it shines as it allows continuous feeding, unlike true soil.

Unlocking the Hydroponic Potential:

Many South African growers unknowingly treat coco-perlite like soil, missing its true potential. Watering to runoff is crucial. Established plants can be fed up to 6 times daily at an EC of 1.8 and pH 6.0, with 10-15% runoff to ensure unused nutrients are flushed and replaced.

This approach, known as "high-intensity fertigation," is commonly used by large-scale growers in the US and Canada. It provides hydroponic-like growth and yields with less setup and maintenance.

Mastering the Art of Balance:

Coco-perlite demands precise management. If you treat it like soil - skipping runoff and daily watering - you'll encounter issues like buildup, pH fluctuations, and nutrient lockouts. Flushing becomes necessary to prevent such problems.

While it might appear wasteful, high-intensity fertigation uses minimal water after initial saturation to achieve runoff. This runoff, however, is valuable! Diluted and used on other vegetation, it provides a nutrient-rich boost.

Monitoring and Adapting:

Regularly test your runoff's EC. Slight increases call for a minor decrease in inflow EC. Lower readings are usually temporary and will self-correct as osmosis adjusts.

The Choice is Yours:

While watering coco-perlite-like soil is possible, it doesn't tap into its full potential. Embracing the "hydroponic" approach, coupled with NEWTS nutrients, unlocks the true potential of your coco-perlite medium, minimising the risk of nutrient buildup and maximising your plant's growth and yield. 

Find Your Flow, but Grow Smart

The world of Cannabis cultivation offers a diverse landscape of mediums and approaches. While every grower eventually finds a method that yields satisfying results, maximising plant potential lies in understanding the specific needs of your chosen substrate. Coco-perlite thrives with consistent moisture and frequent feeding, while soil benefits from drying periods and adjusted feeding schedules.

By adopting these insights and adapting them to your unique setup and goals, you can unlock a level of efficiency and control that translates to happy, thriving plants.

Experimentation and observation are key to success. So, embrace the learning journey, find your rhythm, and watch your Cannabis plants flourish!