This is how you water your indoor grow correctly

Water is life, and of course this also applies to your plants in the  grow box . So water regularly, but how much and how often, and when is it best to water, and what water do I use?

We answer these and other questions for you on this page.

By  properly watering your plants,  you can contribute a lot to their  healthy development  and  significantly increase your yields .

How much to water?

The first and probably most important question when watering your plants is about the  frequency of watering and the right amount of water . Of course, your grow shouldn’t dry out, but waterlogging in the root area is almost more dangerous.
The basic rule is: the soil should always be moist, but never wet . You can tell this from the weight of the pots. The temperature in your grow room  or grow box
also plays an important role in this context  . In a hot environment, plants naturally need more water, also because a large part   is excreted through evaporation through the leaves . (Incidentally, if there is significant evaporation through the leaves, the plants also need less fertilizer.) Other important influencing factors are the  size of the plant and its development stage  (seedling, growth, flowering), as well as the  size of the pots that you use for your grow. The structure of your grow soil or substrate also influences the optimal amount of irrigation water. What is also important here is how well the  drainage of the root area  works, i.e. how quickly or slowly the water drains away again. (If water collects in the coasters, it should be drained quickly, otherwise bacteria can easily form)

Our Growmart tip in the blog :  This is how you can switch from soil to coco

Water the grow daily?

Rather not. The frequency of watering depends on the  specific water needs of your plants  and not on fixed intervals.
How often you have to water your grow depends very much on the  size of the plants and pots  as well as the amount and structure of the substrate used. (If you HAVE to water every day, then this is an indication that pots are too small: time to repot)
The soil should be really dry before watering (of course not completely parched), because the  plant needs not only water but also oxygen  for healthy growth . In this context, our  Air-Pots  or  fabric pots offer  a very good and oxygen-rich alternative.
It’s best to lift the pot before watering and note the  weight before watering , because dried soil has almost no weight. Once you have developed a feeling for this weight, you can easily estimate the water needs of your plants.
Tip : Very dry soil does not absorb the water directly, but allows it to flow through. Therefore, first moisten the soil a little and then water it “properly” a short time later.

Drain pouring

If you have to water your grow every two days, you can water the plants wet, or until it runs out of the bottom of the pot. (Drain watering)
The plants then apparently have a higher demand and draw both water and the vital oxygen.
If you only have to water every 3-4 days, then your pots may be oversized and you should use better fitting pots the next time you grow or grow the plants larger accordingly. (Especially when the plant is about to flower, the available area should be well rooted to ensure the best possible supply of nutrients.)
Of course, not all plants need the same amount of water. It is therefore recommended  to lift all pots individually and water the plants individually according to their needs .
The genetics of your plants also influence their thirst. If you grow a new strain, it may drink very differently than the old ones. Always remember:  your third grow is your first grow .

The best time for watering

It’s best to water your grow in the morning or  in the first few hours of lighting . With the (sun) light, the chemical processes of plant growth begin and the plant receives sufficient water for this. Watering in the evening or at the end of the lighting phase should be avoided because it noticeably increases the risk of waterlogging or root rot.
Your irrigation water should  ideally have a temperature of around 20° Celsius  .

Grow watering with tap water?

Of course, watering your beloved plants is not just about the right amount and the right time, but also about  the right water .
If you water with tap water, it depends on where exactly you live and  what level of hardness the water has in that area . Tap water can also be contaminated, especially in cities and metropolitan areas. (Tip: Google your waterworks or call and find out the specific values ​​for your tap water.)
In the best case scenario, you use  filtered water, for example from a  reverse osmosis system , because it allows you to adjust the pH and EC levels. It’s worth adjusting very precisely to the needs of your plants. With a stable pH and EC value, your plants can also absorb many more nutrients.
Some growers also water their plants with rainwater, although this is not necessarily better than tap water. When  watering with rainwater,  it is best to use food-grade tanks.

Pay attention to pH value and EC value

When watering your plants, you should  definitely  pay attention to the pH value and EC value of the water you use.
Tap water often contains more chlorine than plants can tolerate, while the pH is often 8 to 8.5. However, your plants need neutral to slightly acidic soil. Water with a pH value of 6.5 is therefore recommended for irrigation  .
We recommend purchasing a measuring device for the  pH value  as well as for the  EC value .

Our Growmart tip in the blog : Measure and correct the pH value

Seedlings, cuttings, growth, flowering

 

Of course, the respective stage of development of your plant also plays   a certain role in irrigation.
For seedlings without roots, it is very important that the soil is always moist because they  will die quickly at the slightest drought . But here too, the soil must never be too wet, because if there is too much water, the seedlings will become infected with mold. Instead of a watering can, we recommend using a  sprayer to moisten the soil . Once the seedlings have developed a root system, you should switch to a watering can.
If the roots are strong enough, it is important to allow the soil to dry out a little before watering again.
Especially in the  root growth phase  , mold formation increases, and short dry periods counteract this.
In the  vegetative phase of plant life  , it is important   to supply the soil with water slowly and evenly . If you water too quickly, water channels form in the soil through which the water then runs out without actually moistening the soil.
In the  flowering phase  , the plant generally uses more water than in the growth phase, but towards the end of flowering the water requirement decreases. Otherwise, the same principles apply for adequate, not excessive, irrigation.

Identify and correct problems when watering plants

You will quickly be able to see the mistakes made when watering by looking at the plants. Incorrect watering can  be noticeable on the leaves, the stems and also the roots  .
The most common mistake is excessive watering. If the soil receives too much water, important air pockets become moistened and the plants cannot  absorb enough oxygen  .
The plant’s growth slows, leaves yellow, become dull or fall off. Roots become discolored or smell rotten. If this is the case, the  soil must dry out again  until the plant’s roots have recovered. You can recognize this by the strong white roots that are soaked with water.

If watering is inadequate, first the soil and then the roots dry out. The  plant stops growing .
The plant initially draws from its own reserves until its cells are empty. Then the plant is no longer able to stand upright until the cells finally die.
Leaves suddenly lightening, drooping, shriveling or wilting are  signs of possible underwatering .
You can rehydrate dried out plants by placing them in a bucket filled with water and also watering them from above. The soil’s moisture level is slowly increased again and the original capacity for water storage is restored.

Hydroponics and watering

In a  hydroponic system,  watering/watering is of course different than when growing on soil. Unlike wet soil, the roots are continuously supplied with oxygen.
Watering takes place via an automatic system  five to ten times a day . Plants in a hydroponic system are always watered “wet”, a total of 20% more than the plants need at any given time.
The remaining water flows through the medium and  flushes out old, unnecessary nutrients .

Flush or rinse grow

Two weeks before harvest, you should rinse or flush your grow to  wash out all minerals and nutrients from the soil . Flushing forces the plant to use up any nutrients left in the plant.
Before rinsing your grow, you should  definitely measure the pH  and, if necessary, adjust it to a value of 6.5 – 7. Then water the soil or pot generously, wait 10 minutes and then water again.
Flood your grow often and often until it has an EC value of no more than 50 ppm.

Grow Correct Watering Summary

When watering, you should say goodbye to the old principle of “a lot helps a lot”. Overwatering is a bigger and more common problem  than underwatering your pets.
Above all, there is  no hard and fast rule  for all plants and every grow room. The climatic conditions in your grow room or grow box are crucial for the water needs of your plants, as well as of course the quality of the water you water with.