Crop steering/auto feeding question

ThatRapperWeed · Oct 1, 2021

Hey all,

I'm testing out FloraFlex's auto feeding schedule. They recommend after transplant (where the coco is fully fed) to let it dryback for 3-7 days. They advise waiting for 20% dryback before starting feeding. I thought I thoroughly saturated the coco but after measuring with my bluelab pulse, it says I've got 35% saturation. I've already transplanted, what's the best route from here? Should I just let it dry back 20% from the 35? Appreciate any input. I'm in 2 gallon pots with 100% coco.

Aqua Man · Oct 1, 2021

So at what depth are you measuring?

Those meters measure water content so the % is a bit different than you may be thinking. Take a pot of coco and saturate it. Wait for runoff to stop and then test the coco it should be around 60-65% that will be fully saturated.

At 35% water content your about 60% saturation.

But you have to understand that most of that will be in the saturation zone (water table) at 20% dryback you want to be watering at 40%WC and about 70% saturation and your already 10% below that so I would definitely be hitting them up with a nutrient solution and saturating them with some runoff.

Imo the dry back isn't really needed as the roots are shallow and that will be the driest area.

ThatRapperWeed · Oct 1, 2021

Hey, thanks for your reply! I think I get what you're saying. The floraflex coco says fully saturated is 60%, so does that mean I'm almost half full saturation if my reader is saying 35%? Or are you saying I'm pretty much fully saturated because at 35% water content I'm at 60% saturation? (Sorry that's where I'm still a bit confused)

I agree the dryback isn't needed, just trying to experiment a bit as they claim they've had great results with it, I just wanted to try it out. I saturated the coco with nutrient solution before transplant until I got a fair amount of runoff. Then I gave a light feeding after transplant. I'm including a pic, not sure if it's needed but why not.

Aqua Man · Oct 1, 2021

ThatRapperWeed said:
Hey, thanks for your reply! I think I get what you're saying. The floraflex coco says fully saturated is 60%, so does that mean I'm almost half full saturation if my reader is saying 35%? Or are you saying I'm pretty much fully saturated because at 35% water content I'm at 60% saturation? (Sorry that's where I'm still a bit confused)

I agree the dryback isn't needed, just trying to experiment a bit as they claim they've had great results with it, I just wanted to try it out. I saturated the coco with nutrient solution before transplant until I got a fair amount of runoff. Then I gave a light feeding after transplant. I'm including a pic, not sure if it's needed but why not.
View attachment 1174837

So WC (water content %) is the % of water content of the media. So coco holds a maximum of 60% by volume (that's how your meter is reading it).

So when your meter reads 60% the coco is fully saturated and will not hold anymore water.

This is where some get confused.... so basically at 60%vWC your coco is 100% saturated.

At 35%vWC you are 35÷60=58% saturated.

That make sense?

ThatRapperWeed · Oct 1, 2021

Aqua Man said:
So WC (water content %) is the % of water content of the media. So coco holds a maximum of 60% by volume (that's how your meter is reading it).

So when your meter reads 60% the coco is fully saturated and will not hold anymore water.

This is where some get confused.... so basically at 60%vWC your coco is 100% saturated.

At 35%vWC you are 35÷60=58% saturated.

That make sense?

100% my man, thank you so much for clearing that up!

One more question, so when they're talking about a 20% dryback are they saying from 60% to 40 %? if the coco had been fully saturated?

Aqua Man · Oct 2, 2021

ThatRapperWeed said:
100% my man, thank you so much for clearing that up!

One more question, so when they're talking about a 20% dryback are they saying from 60% to 40 %? if the coco had been fully saturated?

Correct that is what I would assume since that is what thier meters is reading.

Have you calibrated it yet?

ThatRapperWeed · Oct 2, 2021

Aqua Man said:
Correct that is what I would assume since that is what thier meters is reading.

Have you calibrated it yet?

I have but now I'm thinking I should recalibrate once they're actually fully saturated since since what the instructions suggested.

Aqua Man · Oct 2, 2021

ThatRapperWeed said:
I have but now I'm thinking I should recalibrate once they're actually fully saturated since since what the instructions suggested.

Good plan

Crop steering/auto feeding question

Crop steering/auto feeding question

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