Am I overwatering my seedlings?

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NapkinB

NapkinB

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My first grow and I’m not sure if Im overwatering or not. I water every 2 days with a spray bottle so I’m not using too much water but they started to look a little droopy to me. Maybe they’re supposed to look like that. Not sure.
 
Am i overwatering my seedlings
Am i overwatering my seedlings 2
Am i overwatering my seedlings 3
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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Water to wet the entire media then let dry well before watering again. A lot will depend on temps but highly unlikely you need to water again for a few days.
 
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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What are you starting and growing in? Maybe can give you some ideas going forward to save you some trouble on the watering front.
 
NapkinB

NapkinB

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Water to wet the entire media then let dry well before watering again. A lot will depend on temps but highly unlikely you need to water again for a few days.
I’ve been watering the entire media and then after 2 days I check an inch below the surface to see if it’s dry and if it’s dry then I water. So does it look like I’ve been overwatering? My temps are ranging 75-78 during the day
 
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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If you can feel the water in the cups its to soon. Especially in soil they need to dry well. Of its underwatered the whole plant will droop like its dying. Of over watered you get deficiencies and droopy leaves, stunted growth etc.

If they are underwatered they recover very fast. And overwatering they don't.

Here is an example of underwatering. So yes I would say likely overwatering.

 
NapkinB

NapkinB

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Every two days seems too often for their size. Do you have perlite in the soil? Might not be getting enough water retention.
Using fox
If you can feel the water in the cups its to soon. Especially in soil they need to dry well. Of its underwatered the whole plant will droop like its dying. Of over watered you get deficiencies and droopy leaves, stunted growth etc.

If they are underwatered they recover very fast. And overwatering they don't.

Here is an example of underwatering. So yes I would say likely overwatering.

thank you for the video and showing me thread. Better to underwater then to overwater. Got it:)
 
ThatRapperWeed

ThatRapperWeed

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I'd add at least 20% coarse perlite well mixed into your ff next time. Helps with good drainage and it retains some water too. Helps with watering 😁 I used 20% with my ff on my current grow and I'll probably do 25% on the next one.
 
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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Do you think they’re going to be able to come back? @Aqua Man
Absolutely.... any damage will stay and get worse but new growth should be fine. I wouldn't sweat it one bit as those leaves are gonna end up in the trash later on anyhow.
 
NapkinB

NapkinB

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Absolutely.... any damage will stay and get worse but new growth should be fine. I wouldn't sweat it one bit as those leaves are gonna end up in the trash later on anyhow.
I made the decision to water because the soil has been bone dry for about 3 days now so I’m hoping that wasn’t a bad choice. I’m also germinating 3 others
 
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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Imo seedlings do best when the entire media is damp... not wet. Its can be a little tougher in solo cups rather than smaller starters like peat pellets or rapid rooter etc. The reason being its harder to over water the smaller media so if you soak em they dry out faster.

I also feel this is true of pot size and plants. While an experienced grower can navigate this a newer grower may have challenges. So starting in the smallest and up potting as needed with help a new grower prevent overwatering. Of course good drainage also. If I did soil or peat over again in solo cups I would be using 50/50 with perlite.

Its hard to explain (honestly not really im just being lazy here) but the aeration is key to prevent over watering since its not the water that causes the issue its the lack of o2 since the water is taking up the air space and as its depleted of o2 its not being replenished... I guess one way to think of it is like wearing a mask dip it in water its not very breathable but as it dries more air passes through .. soil acts in a similar way. It can't exchanges gasses well when saturated.

But roots don't growninto dry soil so we need to ensure the entire media has moisture but is not waterlogged as to prevent gas exchange. In a smaller cup it stays saturated for less time reducing the over saturated time and still being able to keep it all moist. The bigger the pot the longer it will stay in the saturated zone.

So yeah im probably rambling not making much sense but imo if you start in the smallest starters then up pot as needed it will likely make your watering life easier.
 
NapkinB

NapkinB

161
43
Imo seedlings do best when the entire media is damp... not wet. Its can be a little tougher in solo cups rather than smaller starters like peat pellets or rapid rooter etc. The reason being its harder to over water the smaller media so if you soak em they dry out faster.

I also feel this is true of pot size and plants. While an experienced grower can navigate this a newer grower may have challenges. So starting in the smallest and up potting as needed with help a new grower prevent overwatering. Of course good drainage also. If I did soil or peat over again in solo cups I would be using 50/50 with perlite.

Its hard to explain (honestly not really im just being lazy here) but the aeration is key to prevent over watering since its not the water that causes the issue its the lack of o2 since the water is taking up the air space and as its depleted of o2 its not being replenished... I guess one way to think of it is like wearing a mask dip it in water its not very breathable but as it dries more air passes through .. soil acts in a similar way. It can't exchanges gasses well when saturated.

But roots don't growninto dry soil so we need to ensure the entire media has moisture but is not waterlogged as to prevent gas exchange. In a smaller cup it stays saturated for less time reducing the over saturated time and still being able to keep it all moist. The bigger the pot the longer it will stay in the saturated zone.

So yeah im probably rambling not making much sense but imo if you start in the smallest starters then up pot as needed it will likely make your watering life easier.
Thank you. What if I started in a small inch clay pot ? Or is that too small
 
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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Thank you. What if I started in a small inch clay pot ? Or is that too small
Solo cups are fine... not my intention to throw you for loops. Just maybe easier to add like 50% perlite next go. Only for the solo cup not the entire grow media. Will allow you to just soak em and they will not end up overwatered if you do..
 
NapkinB

NapkinB

161
43
Solo cups are fine... not my intention to throw you for loops. Just maybe easier to add like 50% perlite next go. Only for the solo cup not the entire grow media. Will allow you to just soak em and they will not end up overwatered if you do..
Does it matter the brand of perlite? Or are they all the same. Sorry if these seem like some dumb questions loll
 
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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Does it matter the brand of perlite? Or are they all the same. Sorry if these seem like some dumb questions loll
Just large perlite... any should do. Again its not a must but may just ease the issue of over watering.
 

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