Container sizes for autos

[PuravidaC]

I don't know, gang. The girls don't appear to be making a strong come back yet, at least they aren't showing the same vigor as past grows. Let containers dry out good before watering yesterday. Maybe I'm expecting too much too soon but leaves are still droopy... Have only fed once and that was 1/2 strength big bloom only. Could they be hungry (FFOF soil)? Had lights at 18" but just raised to 20" tonight to see if that makes a difference. I asked Santa for a LUX meter so in a few more days I hope to be able to measure light levels on new 315.

[PuravidaC]

I hear ya on the nutrients. Have only given them one dose, 1/2 strength Big Bloom, their whole life. Hoping FFOF will hold them over a little longer. My overwatering didn't show any signs until week 4, right when they began stretch. I'm fairly certain it will effect yield but we will see. Dying to give them some BB and TB, but trying to be patient!

[Cronk]

I did the same thing for the first 2.5 weeks. I thought I'd screwed them up for good. they came back strong and fast. DAAS told me the same thing and was right. bone dry and light. It;s tempting to jump the gun and water again to get nutes in there. I have to stop myself. I water about every 5 days to once a week now.

[PuravidaC]

For what it's worth.... watered girls this morning. 4 days+ since last time. Man was I ever giving them too much! Added blackstrap molasses and a little silica I had laying around. Silica is supposed to be good for cell structure development and stress. Figured girls could use a little bump. They are still looking puny but hope to see a little pick-me-up after watering. Will post photos when they get a little color in their cheeks...

[BlueBudz]

That’s the ticket! Let’s see how they look!📸

[PuravidaC]

Thanks DAAS. I have been giving them 1 gal each, in 5 gal fabric pots, to get about 10%, or so, runoff. Thinking about giving them 1/2 or 3/4 gal for next watering, with a little blackstrap molasses (it's Christmas!)... I don't think I should soak them next watering after what they've been through!!

[D.A.A.S.69]

That sounds like a winner, when you do finally water them when it's dry, just watch how fast they grow again, then don't water again till your pot is lite weight.
You got this, PuravidaC, have fun watching them grow.

[PuravidaC]

Glad I bought a moisture meter yesterday. Going into 4th day without water I thought for sure they would be thirsty, but meter shows soil on low side of moist. I like getting a hard number on moisture and this will give me a good reference on pot weight when dry, as you guys have suggested. They still haven't returned to vigorous grow yet but I plan to let them dry out at least another 12 to 24 hours before watering. After waterboarding them their whole life I figure they need some air!!!

[Tika]

Agree with D too and left you a return dissertation in VM

[D.A.A.S.69]

Your welcome, it want be long, that they will be growing like a bat out of hell again, autos blow my mind how fast they grow.

[PuravidaC]

Yea, DAAS. I felt a partial left over bag of my soil to try and gauge what dry weight feels like. I'm just anxious to get girls back on track. Thanks for all your help and support!

[D.A.A.S.69]

Morning PuravidaC, I wouldn't think you've got root problems that quickly, especially in SmartPots, it just takes a while for your soil to dry, if you get in a habit of picking up your pots when they are dry, an then picking them up after you have watered them real good, you want need a moisture meter.There is a huge weight difference between dry an wet, you can't go wrong by picking up your pots, You do not water again till your pots are lite weight again., It's super easy if you ever try it that way, there want be anymore overwatering. , guaranteed. Patience, let them dry out.

[PuravidaC]

BTW, I am growing autos in FFOF and haven't given them any additional nutrients except 1/2 dose of Big Bloom about a week ago. Tips of leaves starting showing signs of nute burn and that's when problem started. Tutorials show leaf tips turning brown from over watering too so I don't know if there is any connection.

[PuravidaC]

The girls continue to limp along... I know you can see almost instant rejuvenation from a plant that has been underwatered but how long should I expect to wait to see improvement from over watering? Going into third day with no water and top inch or two of soil is dry but I will not water yet. Going out today to get a moisture meter. Some have mentioned that overwatering can lead to other problems. Could I have some root rot going on even though I'm growing in soil? Run off is tinted light brown, but with soil I assumed that was normal. Tutorials say that is more common in DWC but can happen in soil. Am I getting too jumpy? If so, just hold my hand a little longer... 😭 I did see some new stretch on one of the girls yesterday and had to raise the other one to keep equal distance to light.

[Sockfilter]

Nothing wrong with soil or any medium for that matter, as long as it works for you and the girls, that is ALL that matters..