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Noob but I learn quick

Every time you fertigate (2x daily is fine) the media should be soaked and you should get run-off... Every time - even when they are young. The coco should never look dry or "light brown". Keep it wet
 
yeah, it suggests that you are not watering enough or often enough.
As I say in my guide, the top layer of coco should never dry out and turn lighter brown.

The reason is more to do with EC than water per se. Obviously if it is dry there is less water available to the plant, but its worse than that... Dry coco is a result of evaporation from the surface of the media. The water evaporates leaving the nutrients behind which causes the EC of the remaining nutrient solution to rise (increase saltiness). This will hinder growth and can burn your plants. The coco needs fresh water (nutrient solution) to run over it and run through the media to wash away the excess salts.
 
I think quantity is the problem not frequency.
Be sure that you get at least 10% run-off at each fertigation event.
And, of course, monitor run-off EC of each plant!
 
Went ahead and did what you said. Took about 150 mL. Pen and some other stuff inbound. Went ahead and got a pH pen while I was at it.
 
Well everything seems to be going ok. The plants just started taking off. So I moved the light down to normal range. Running about 10 inches on 250w
 

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Ok so I got my pens in today. Not exactly sure what's going but according to EC my tap water on site starts way high. Should I change water source? This could be a real problem. More in a bit. Still scouring camps.
 

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Ok so it looks like it's just the water quality that makes the EC high. Other than that it appears to be in the "normal" range. Should I still try to bring the overall EC down or just change water source?
 
You should not use water if it starts above 300EC (0.3).
That said, those numbers cannot be correct. Water tastes salty at 1500. Does the tap water taste salty?
 
The tap was 861. Nute is 1985. But I'm definitely not drinking it. It is well water off of a well that has not been used in a while. Thought I labeled the pics.
 
I wouldn't use it.
One issue is just total saltiness, and if you start with water at 861, there is little room for nutes. Plants have a total EC limit, so you want to fill that limit with nutrients not random minerals dissolved in your well water.
 
Ok so I'm guessing from what I read when I change to better water, mix with water I have now and dilute with better water in increasing increments over next few days to bring EC down and let roots adjust gradually to prevent burn. Then next batch just mix in the better water?
Or... mix a new batch in good water and transition to the new water in say 25% increments?
75% old 25% new today
50/50 tomorrow and Friday
25/75 Sat
Pure new on Sun? Is that gradual enough or should I run a couple days apiece?
 
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Do you have a target EC?
Ideally you should try to maintain a consistent EC. 1985 is higher than I ever run, but could be acceptable in certain situations... NOT when the plants are so small though! You need to start by setting your target. (maybe 1300)
I'd go to 100% clean water now and add nutes to achieve the target EC.
 
It's king tut strain, mostly sativa like 80/20 if I remember right. Trying to keep my tent in mid to low 70s. RH in 50s will go up once transplanted into bigger bags. Shooting for 1000-1100 for hand watering. Would probably go 1200-1300 if I can get a dripper going.
* Just thought about the water softener off the well. Might bypass and check just straight well water. Or buy distilled or RO?
 
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Yes!
EC is high bc softener!!
I bet it’s closer to 150 from well if softened. If not filtered or bottled. Doesn’t have to be RO or distilled but that is best.

Yes, targets sound good.
 
Ok so the ground water is still in the 600 EC range. So I set up an evaporative still. Bought some dis. water for tonight and watered at 14-something. I had to pH up so I made a concentration that I'll dilute and check as I fertigate. Tomorrow I'll do 12-1300s in the AM and 10-1100s in PM and maintain that.
 
Were you able to collect and sample any run-off?

Since you were too high initially you can just go straight to the correct target inflow. The EC of the nutrient solution in the pots will gradually drop as you apply water with EC around 1100. I'd just go there with next fertigation.
Moving gradually is most important when going up in EC. You should also move down gradually into ripen nutes at the end of flowering. But if EC is just too high, try to get it down to target range quickly!

In any event, you should start collecting samples of run-off and tracking plants. Usually they are all fine and only need to check run-off periodically, but should check regularly at first to learn about each and get early warning on problems. My rule is run-off should be within +400 points of inflow, but it will take a few days to get there and stabilize since you are moving down.
 
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