How To know if Overwatering for Your Pot Plants There are many contributing factors involved when it comes to a successful and bountiful cannabis grow Light, nutrients, airflow, and humidity all play important roles in optimal growth and vibrancy of a crop. Water, however, is one of the most important aspects of keeping cannabis plants healthy and strong. Watering isn’t always as simple as it may seem. Many growers are under the impression that completely saturating their crop with water each day is all it takes to help plants obtain their aquatic requirements. The truth is, there is much more to the watering process. Watering cannabis plants is a balancing act that takes some time and experimentation to perfect. Too much water can lead to some serious problems for plants and may obstruct oxygen intake. On the other end of the spectrum, too little water can lead to extremely dry conditions that will leave cannabis plants thirsty, eventually causing them to wilt. We take a look how to recognise if you are over or under watering, and how to fix it.
Signs You’re Overwatering a Plant Drooping leaves: Did you know that, like humans, plants need oxygen to breathe? The reason soil aeration is so important is because those pockets of air make it possible for plants to consume oxygen. When plants are overwatered, the roots are suffocating in stagnant water, and that causes their leaves to droop. This drooping is usually the first sign of overwatered plants. Leaves curving inward: Under-watered plants droop as well, but the difference between those leaves and Common Signs you're overwatering your plantsthe leaves of overwatered plants is that the latter’s will also curve inward. Overwatered plants’ leaves will feel firm but curve inward from the stem to the tip. If the tip of the leaf is the only part of it that is curving inward, it may be the sign of a nitrogen deficiency. Yellowing leaves: Speaking of deficiencies, overwatered plants have them. Oxygen enables plants to metabolize nutrients, but overwatered plants have an oxygen problem. The roots are stuck in stagnant water and dense soil with no aeration. This deprives the plant of the oxygen it needs to uptake nutrients. Another reason for deficiency is that the nutrients get flushed out of the soil by the excess water. Mold and mildew: One of the most dangerous threats to cannabis is mold. There are three types of mold that most frequently attack cannabis plants: bud rot, white powdery mildew, and fuzzy white mold. This fungus spreads easily and can ruin an entire harvest. It thrives in overly humid conditions. Overwatering creates a humid environment given the excess water in the soil and potentially even on the leaves depending on how much water is being dumped on the flower.
Do not consume moldy cannabis. It is unsafe, especially to those with compromised immune systems Slowed or stopped plant growth: Again, because of the lack of oxygen and nutrient uptake, overwatered plants will struggle to grow. In an overwatered plant, the roots are unable to function properly, and, in their weakened state, they become more susceptible to pathogens. Pest infestations: Fungus gnats and root aphids love damp environments. These pests can stunt your plant’s growth, and, without any intervention, eat your plant until there is nothing left. If these harmful pests start showing up on your plants, it is a major red flag for overwatering.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO WATER YOUR PLANTS? This question actually has many different answers, as many different variables are at play. For this reason, there is no exact answer. For example, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors can all change how often water will be required. However, there are telltale signs that will display it's time to once again water your plants. Checking the top inch of soil is a promising way to identify this. Wait for this section of the soil to be dry before watering again in order to avoid overwatering. Once you have done so multiple times, you should start to figure out how long it takes in between each watering, and then you can go by that length of time instead. Paying close attention to your plants leaves is another way to tell if its time to water. Of course, waiting long enough to symptoms to arrive is not optimal, but any signs of wilting should immediately be followed by a dose of water.
Ways to Prevent Over Watering Marijuana Soil or Coco Coir: When growing in soil make sure you have a high drainage soil such as Promix or Happy Frog. Add perlite if your soil doesn’t have it already or coco coir 1-4 ratio both are great for drainage. Do not saturate the soil when transplanting or planting. Try Smart Fabric Pots. Drill extra drainage hole in the bottom of pots. Use a Water Meter or Moisture Meter in soil or coco if needed. Use the finger method by sticking your finger in the soil about an inch to see if dry. Avoid vermiculite it helps to retain water. One trick for soil so you do not over water is to take an empty pot and fill it with soil and use that one as a test. Check when to water by judging by the weight of your plant compare to the pot of soil. MONITOR PH
Before the growing process, check the quality of your water source. One important factor when it comes to water quality is pH. pH is a numeric scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, with the middle value of 7 representing neutral. Numbers less than 7 represent acidity and numbers above 7 display alkalinity. PH that is either too high or too low can cause problems in cannabis plants, as the pH of the water source can dictate a plant's ability to absorb nutrients. Too low or too high pH water can affect the pH of your grow medium over time, which results in symptoms that look identical to those caused by certain nutritional problems. Cannabis plants tend to thrive at a pH of around 6.5. pH can be measured extremely easily by simply applying a pH metre around a water runoff sample. Runoff is water that drains from your grow container, having passed through your grow medium. If the pH is either too high or too low, pH up and down products can be used to return it to normal levels.