Few questions about watering

[Malkosashi88]

Hello guys, hope everyone is doing as best as they can. I have a quick question for you, about how to water in the proper manner during a transplant and afterwards. Shortly i will need to transplant 6 plants from 0.5 l. pots to 15 l. ones, using biobizz light mix in both pot sizes. So my first question is, how much water should i use during the transplantation? I’ve read that when the leap is that big in size and the plant is small, is not recommended to fully pre-soak the soil and is best to transplant in dry soil and water during the transplantarion and water in moderation. But what moderation means in liters, guys ? Since around 4 liters is what it takes for a full 15 l. pot to do a run-off, this is from experience ? Second question is when do you guys usualy starts with nutrients if using soils with low nutrient load as the light mix.i have the flora nova grow and bloom formula on hand. I plan on using them sparely, 2 out of 3 waterings, at around 1/5 1/4 from the recommendations on the label. And finally, is watering to 20% runoff needed at every watering, or at all, if you feed sparely and your thoughts on small stones at the bottom of a fabric pots, for drainage ? Thanks guys 🍁🔥

[PeterMatanzas]

hehe, that’s not a quick question. When I transplant I put the soil in layers, water each layer, the last layer is dry. I spray that just to dampen it. Spread Mykos granules on soil surface. When removing plant spray root ball and dust with mykos. Fill sides with dry soil. Water in 3 loops, I don’t saturate. I don’t care about runoff here. I just want damp soil. No fertilizer for a week.

[PeterMatanzas]

20% runoff? I know it’s watered well when I lift the bag. Is water coming out of the lowest sides? Water when bag is light

[TheKieftan]

As to first question I would hold off watering the .5L with plant until soil is fairly dry but I always presoak soil for one main reason to reduce transplant shock significantly I use an empty pot of the same exact design as the plant’s I’m transplanting to make a perfectly formed hole that the transplant can slide into like a key it won’t even notice it moved pots next water the plant to moisten the dry soil of the .5L pot not a lot moisture will wick from the surrounding soil this is just to make sure the roots on the outside bond firmly to the new soil as to feeding I have less experience and will let someone else answer

[crucialbunny]

Trying to water a new transplant container can really be a challenge because water tends to follow the path of least resistance. This can sometimes lead to areas of the container not getting water at all and subsequent watering will continue to follow that same path. You'll see runoff but it isn't guaranteed that it's reaching all areas of the container. What I like to do is start a day before transplant by first giving the plant a good watering the day before so the soil holds together when I slide the root ball out. I fill the transplant container with my dry soil mix and then 10% more for compaction when it gets wet and dump it into a large tub I have with small drain holes. I add my amendments like perlite, sand, worm castings, kelp meal, azomite, and so on, into the dry soil. Then I begin to add water in increments while I continuously turn it until I have a uniform amount of moisture throughout. Then I put it back into the container and let it sit overnight so gravity can allow any excess water drain. This way I am certain my soil is sufficiently moist and will continue to absorb water evenly. It's messy and somewhat time consuming but worth it in the long run.

[PeterMatanzas]

this is true and why I water each layer as it's put down

[Malkosashi88]

Hey guys, sorry for my delay response, i much appreciate your thoughts, sounds like i was doing this procedure in a wrong way for a long time. And yeah, it wasn’t the quickest of questions 🤠 But yet another step in the right direction 🔥 Can i also ask for your thoughts on one more thing . I read, that it’s better to let the water sit for at least 24 hours, not only for the chlorine to evaporate, bur also for the PH to stabilyze. Is this true and does this mean, that it’s not advisable to water with water that just came from the tank. Also, is this holds true also for nutrients and PH down products. Do they also needs to be added up in front ? Thanks again and in advance , guys 🍁🔥🏜

[Malkosashi88]

And to add one more question 🤠 I plan on adding worm castings to that biobizz light mix that i use at a rario of 90/10 , but since the castings has a PH ot 7.56, do i need to add anything else to balance that. Thanks

[Puglover1]

After adding nutes you pH the water. The standing for chlorine burn off doesn't have to take long it depends on your water. Last week I could tell they had just added it by the smell, the bottles still smelled the next day. While growing I always have a few jugs of water sitting out on the kitchen counter, when ready by smell I cap them and bring them to the grow room. When needed I add nutes and then pH the water before watering my girls.