I'm sure most of us have had this problem when first starting out. Here's where I'm going to circle back and suggest the moisture meter again. It's a critical tool for the new grower. It's also a critical tool for the experienced grower too. After some years of experience, I can easily read my plants and know when it is time to water ... but my wife is a home-maker and does the majority of their care. She uses the meter religiously, and her plants look beautiful!
I think his plant will survive. Yes, the situation does slow the grow down. With photo period plants, once the soil ecosystem is stabilized, the plant can still thrive with a longer veg period to make up for the lost time. Autos aren't very forgiving and a setback will result in a smaller plant and a smaller yield.
Course perlite does wonders for added drainage. It also helps trap the air. I add it to my soil mix every grow. Course perlite + proper watering practice and you will be well on your way. Expect a few more bumps in the road. You can read everything you can get your hands and that certainly helps a lot! But ... experience will always be the best teacher.
I'd keep going @DevinA95. Lesson learned. Your plant is very likely to survive. It's a weed and they are hard to kill.
I wholeheartedly agree 100%
I disagree, the only moist part of that soil was the center under the plant. The soil on the sides was so dry it was pulling back from the edges. If it's pulling back from the edges up top that means the entire diameter was really dry and there wasn't enough moisture.
You might be misinterpretating what I'm suggesting?
The outer soil has never been watered if I read correctly. The plant's been getting watered around it's base every other day. In a fairly large pot with heavy looking soil.
I don't think that's a good thing. And imo likely why the plant's unhappy.
Well aerated and draining soil, sure, you can wing it like that in a large pot and get away with it. But heavy, slow draining, poorly aerated soil is a different story.
I kindly disagree.
This wasn't the ideal grow from what I've had to work with. Next time I'm going to get different soil.
Totally agree man. Need a better / different soil, it looks too heavy and poorly aerated.
Apparently by using growbags it makes it difficult to overwater. I've never had an issue with over watering while using these, Even outdoors when it would down pour for days. The roots never rotted on me.
I've run into problems using bags with heavy soil. The centre stayed too wet and the edges would become too dry before I needed to water again. It was really difficult to water properly and thoroughly.