Watering coco

[Isholsean]

Hellow guys. I'm a bit confused I'm running coco perlite mix and I see over and over it should be watered daily. I'm having a hard time doing that due to the soild stays damp to long if I do this amd plants look down. I'm in a 2 by 2 by 6 tent with 600 watt light. I have 3 gallon fabric pots. My top layer is dry but reat of soil is moist.
The question is do I need to water daily or should I keep my regimen the plants look healthy a little on slower side of growth bit could be genetics. And the constant weather change here in cali. Thx for any help.

[Tersky]

Where are you seeing that it should be watered daily? I do 70/30 coco/perlite with fabric pots. I water until 10-20% runoff and dont water again until the pot is light. In the beginning i water once or twice a week. As the roots grow out and the plant grows it will take up more water and i need to water more often. I have plants in flower that i water every couple days but not daily. Water your plant when they need it, not on a schedule.

[Jayv]

Absolutely right Tersky. Top is going to look dry. But under that layer of soil is we’re all the water will concentrate. I use cloth 5 gallon pots. If it ways next to nothing add water. To much water you can get root rot, lack of nutrients. I water once a week. About a half gallon of water each plant. I also use a water meter, cheap one from Home Depot/Lowe’s. 2 prong you stick it water and tells moisture levels. Accurate? Pretty close. But weight of the pot tells all.

[Mr.furley]

You can water coco every day, there are some good Growers on here that can attest to that. Some grower water multiple times a day with good results. It is a matter of how you want to water and your grow needs. I would suggest picking one way off the get go and sticking with it.

The Idea of watering coco more frequently is that it takes less water to achieve runoff and aids in washing salts easily from the medium by not letting it dry out. Most who water in this manner feed every watering and focus on Ppm reading in and out. Coco is a hydroponic medium and can withstand overwatering in the right environment and circumstances but do your research before you try this method.

I hull water and have better things to do then water plants three times a day, I keep it stupid simple and only water when my pots are lite when lifted which works out to every 2 to 3 days with 10% to 20% runoff depending on pot size,temperature , humidity and stage of life. I also alternate feedings and plain water. I have also been taught as a gardener that wet roots have little incentive to grow and dry roots will seek out water, bigger roots=bigger fruit.

In my opinion on which way is better, for me it is the lifting the pot every couple of days if I was going to spend that kind of time watering my plant I would just grow in DWC or aeroponics but to each there own for the need they have.

[Tersky]

I guess it really depends on what works for you. I had never heard of the daily watering for coco tbh but i havent heard of a lot of things. I just tried different things and the method i use works for me. I can understand if the roots are already developed watering daily but like you said, if the medium is always wet, why would the plant try to spread it's roots to find more? Also love the slogan bigger roots=bigger fruit! Thanks for your knowledge Mr Furley!

[Mr.furley]

I'm a Stoner, I like to make it easy and Stoner proof.

[SoOrbudgal]

true dat Mr.furley

[Isholsean]

I appreciate all the feedback guys. I'm finding my research online and what people say. I'm using fabric pots and seem to have the right thing going which is just watching. The plants are happy and thriving so why change it right?
I think I'm going to go 3 more weeks in veg then switch them.
I guess the as the old saying goes trust your gut haha.