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How do you check run off ph?

R

RubySlippers

New member
Maybe this is a silly question, but I gotta ask. How do you collect run off from smart pots? And how long do you normally have to wait for run off to collect in the drip tray? I'm pretty conservative with watering so I generally don't see any run off. I have 5 gal pots filled with FF soil and I've been watering my 3 week olds with about a liter (a little more than 4 cups) of water every 36 hours or so. I'm planning on increasing by at least couple cups. My drip trays are not much bigger than the pots themselves, so I'm thinking if I wait too long to check the ph, the fabric will re-absorb the run off water.

Also, a lot of the time when I water around the perimeter of the pot some of the water seeps right through the side of the pot and ends up in the drip tray. Won't that skew the test results since some of the water is not even passing through the soil? Would I be measuring a diluted sample of run off? I realize I'm over-thinking this, but any guidance would be appreciated!
 
I'm new too but I'm gonna say yeah you're overthinking it. The only thing you said that didn't make sense to me(doesn't mean it's wrong) was absorbing back into pot? You don't have it elevated above your drip tray? Also why aren't you watering to 20% runoff? Is that because of pot size? Once again not saying wrong just asking. I was only in a one gallon pot at that age.
 
Don't water as often but you do want a little runoff. Collect in a cup and check pH. Cheap insurance, lets you know condition of your roots.
 
water to runoff and then you'll probably only have to do it twice a week and let it dry out a bit between waterings. they might look a bit droopy not long after watering but they'll come good as the soil starts to dry out.
 
Thanks for your questions! The pots are elevated, but very little. I got some cheapy ones from Lowes. Maybe I should look at getting some different ones. Hadn't thought of that, thanks! What do your's look like?
I haven't been watering to 20% runoff because I'm a chicken shit and I'm afraid of over-watering. I'd rather water a little every day than over water. I guess in the fabric pots that's much less of a concern, so I'm definitely going to bump it up.
I went from a rooter to a solo-sized cup to a 2.5qt plastic pot to 5 gal fabric. I figured fewer transplants were better. They're all really thriving, for the most part. I'm starting to see what's likely nute deficiency since I haven't started them yet. Check out my thread in the Sick Plant forum if you're interested.
Thanks again!
 
I didn't finish reading all but stopped short to explain watering a little too often is overwatering. Better to water to run off then go longer before watering again. Invest in a cheap water gauge. $10 anywhere
 
You are starting to get some real responses from some of the smart ones. Best of luck. Love to check it out. Send me the link or title
 
I get hubby to catch water in a medicine cup once I'm done giving them a drink and I hold up the pot. It ain't pretty but it works 😄 I also was petrified of overwatering early on so didn't have any runoff but prob around this time I was more concerned about being able to check PH so I started alternating runoff and no runoff on watering days till I was comfortable they could handle runoff all the time and in no time they were drinking like camels 😜
Prob not the best method but I'm a noobie and maybe a lil OCD cautious lol
Good Luck!!!!!
 
Hi Ruby, I also use SmartPots and KindSoil on the bottom half of my pots and FFOF on the top half of the pots and never water to runoff because the KindSoil people say don't do it, because of losing all of the good stuff in the soil. But with just FF , as Ozbud said every 3 or 4 days after you get runoff and check your PH to make sure it's OK, very important, you will be just fine. Glad to hear your plants are doing good, but don't be scared to give them plenty of water, just water slowly. I use small rocks between pots and trays. You are going to have some nice plants ,good luck. PEACE DAAS69
 
In my opinion there are two scenarios; if you are feeding heavily with hydroponic nutrients every watering then run off is a must so the salts don't build up. But if you give them just water with the right ph FFOF will stay on range.

if you don't have any problems whatsoever usually means the ph is ok. So if you water with the right ph and have no problems at all most likely the soil ph is in the right range. Fox farms soils have buffers
 
I am also growing in smart pots with f.f. Soil and always water to 20% run off,it's easy to catch run off if u put pot on top of a 5 gal.bucket with a rack and wait till run off stops.Put pot back on tray and test.just my 2cents
 
Yes growing in FFOF your supposed to water to get runoff, but not supposed to with KindSoil ,I guess you could if you wanted to. But the people at KindSoil says don't its supposed last the entire grow if you don't wash it out. D.A.A.S69
 
At the start of plant I use t8s and led lighting, the lack of heat keeps medium wet longer. Pot risers under pots help to dry roots a lil quicker. As you gain experience it all falls into place.
 
Thanks, momma! It's nice to hear I'm not the only neurotic grower - no offense! I've been following your latest grow...looking good, lady!
 
Thanks Ruby!!!! It gets a lil more intense at this stage- extreme neurosis (sp?) if I could I think I'd have a webcam in the tent so I could look when I'm at work hahahaha. had a peak at ur girls 👍🏼 Keep on loving them. Happy growing!!!
 
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