Nirvana WW Auto Sohum Soil Test

[Greenpassion]

That method of watering wouldn't work in my case, as I have numerous plants and work full time. As it us I haven't had time to get a run or workout in in months. I'd have to quit my job!...

[BurningTeddy]

So posted this issue up on my FB group that has a Sohum Soils Rep in it and this is what I got.


Basically they/he are saying that you should have a tray underneath with water in it all the time and just let it absorb ul as it needs it.

Does that sound absurd to anyone else? I mean, I'm gonna do it as that's what they've recommended and I'm testing their soil but this sounds crazy!

[Greenpassion]

Sounds way off to me.

[BurningTeddy]

Ok, after rereading everything I've come to the conclusion that they mean if you water from the top, catch runoff in a tray underneath and let that absorb back into the pot.

Not just leave in standing water ALL the time.

[BurningTeddy]

Still sounds odd to me though.

[Greenpassion]

but if you water till runoff from the top, it's not going to reabsorb what it just got rid of out the bottom of the pot. It sounds like it would be a day or two at least before it's soaked back up what passed through the pot. I can't imagine that wouldn't look like overwatered.

[BurningTeddy]

So, still talking with the guy. He said yes, leave in a tray of standing water but make sure that tray is covered.

I'm so lost lol

[BurningTeddy]

So they're really pushing this Autopot or GoGro system for automatic bottom feeding and kinda beating around the Bush on the best way to do it without those systems.

So heres what I've decided to do. I'll water and catch any runoff in a tray underneath then I'll reintroduce that water to the top of the pot after its dried out a little, maybe a couple hours, maybe a day. That way nothings getting wasted from the soil itself.

Unless anyone else has something that works for them better? Open to try anything at this point.

[BurningTeddy]

We'll see. I'll water from the top, catch runoff, and rewater with it later. I think it'll work, just a little bit of a pain in the ass.

Hopefully the harvest is worth the effort.

[Greenpassion]

I would question repouring in the water from the runoff. The pH will have changed so you'd have to pH it again or at least I would, and I would also be concerned about pathogens and any kind of contamination. Good for you for doing this experiment but there's no way I would be going through all that can you imagine doing that with 20 plants? Or even 10? Kind soil has people watering from the top and not watering to run off. I think that if I had this so hum I would be doing just that.

[BurningTeddy]

Its now officially an experiment lol.

[SinsemillaScientist]

Imo all of the advice sounds a little off. Why wouldnt you water to runoff? At least 20%? Im not a soil grower but what ive read seems to conclude you should to test ph etc? I think im high and missed something haha

[BurningTeddy]

Sohum is a super soil, so you dont want runoff because youd be pulling the nutrients out of the soil. It's also a PH buffer so as long as I'm around 6-7 going in its fine.

[SinsemillaScientist]

Oh okay that makes sense then! Strange watering method though! Cant wait to see your results!

[WeirdWiredWolf]

I've been looking at those self-watering planters, at least for me it seems like the best bet if I'm using this soil (space constraints). I have seen enclosures that seem like they're designed for cloth pots...the only question is what size would I need?

[BurningTeddy]

I've searched one of the websites and it only offers 15 or 25L pots. I would think the 15L would be fine for autos or a short flowering indica. Not sure how long the soils nutrients would hold up for a long sativa.

[BurningTeddy]

So I definitely think I stunted her. Shes preflowering already. That's all on me though, nothing to do with the soil.


As far as the soils concerned, shes looking really healthy, nice deep green and super tight node spacing.


I've finally figured how I'm going to water this soil also. I've got a 32oz spray bottle that I've been using. Add a full bottle twice, very slowly, with about 10 minutes in between and get no runoff. Will just have to water more frequently. Directions say you should PH your water so I've been doing that. Been around 6.5 going in.

[Greenpassion]

That's exactly how I water my plants in kind soil.

[Greenpassion]

Super slow.

[Greenpassion]

BTW, where did you get your sand? I have a horrible infestation of fungus gnats and both the veg and flowering room. I went and bought some organic spray from the gardening center and it hasn't done a thing.

[BurningTeddy]

Home depot. Its play sand.

[Greenpassion]

Thanks BT. Did you write an earlier that you use about a half an inch in each pot?

[BurningTeddy]

I've upped it to an inch as I was still seeing a few. Haven't seen any in weeks. Hence no sand on top of the Sohum pot.

[Greenpassion]

Does Using the sand affect the watering at all?

[BurningTeddy]

Not noticeably. Just dampen the sand before you water heavily or itll roll off. If you water slow it's no different.

[Greenpassion]

Ok. Thanks B.T.

[BurningTeddy]

Sorry guys, been failing at updating this one. Plant is doing fine, small but beautiful. Soil seems to be doing very well. Nothing but PHd water. I've been watering a little every day or so, seems if I keep it kind of moist and just water a little here and there I get no runoff and she seems to like it.

[Greenpassion]

She looks good so far...

[BurningTeddy]

Maybe she was stunted or maybe she was just a smaller phenotype but shes looking damn healthy and still growing. Still haven't let the soil dry completely out, I water her a little every day in between 6.3 and 6.7 PH. No trimming or LST or any kind of training. Last pic is for a height comparison against the Lemon OG Haze

[Greenpassion]

B.T. why are you watering every day? If I water mine even before 3 or 4 days they droop like crazy. Some of them still haven't recovered from having done that several weeks ago. Are you watering from above are still putting water in a tray from Below?

[BurningTeddy]

Watering from above. I'm doing a little everyday because this soil doesnt seem to like big waterings without running straight out of the sides or bottom. I've been keeping an eye on her for any drooping or leaf curling to indicate overwater but shes shown nothing of the sort.

She gets around 26-40oz of water every day or two depending on how the pot feels