Soil was drying out too quickly

[agencare10]

Last year for my first grow, I grew two lovely plants about 5 ft tall each in 25 gallon smart (fabric) pots, it was great. I used Pro-mix HP (white bag) as it was recommended by a lot of people. Although this combination worked great and provided a great product, I think it could have been better. With the combination of these two, my soil was drying out WAY too quickly. I was ending up watering 1 large watering can (8L or 10L, can't remember) every single night and if I missed a night they would look really thirsty. Because it was drying up so quickly all the time, I think it was affecting the final harvest! On the flip side, my friend had the same plant in the ground and he said he barely watered, once a week - product was almost exact same!

I'm trying to think how I can improve this system (I don't want it in the ground, like the move-ability). I have read the tips and tricks of breaking up the soil a bit at the top and it helps with drainage, but I still think I will run into the same issue. I know its early, but just in case I need to order something, who knows when it will come in.

Here are my thoughts, and looking for advice:

1. Purchase this a water heater pan (only thing I could find at a reasonable price to catch water).

Let it capture any run off from sides and bottom and let it soak in for a little after watering, then remove. The thought here would be that it would kind of bottom feed after top feeding utilizing all the water, and whatever it doesn't suck up I can toss.

2. Use a different type a soil that keeps moisture better - any suggestions? I am not really interested in mixing my own soil, prefer to be able to buy something at a reasonable price!

This is all i could really think up. Any suggestions would be truly appreciated!

 

[Jimster]

I sometimes have the same problem, particularly in late flowering and especially with Sativas, which seem to drink like camels. Are you getting a lot of runoff? When I make up my Promix mix, I add about 20% compost/manure which helps it hold a bit more water and provides a lot of different nutrients. I sometimes have to put catch basin under the really thirsty ones, that drink a gallon/day in 5 gallon buckets. Smartpots are great but they really seem to lose water from side evaporation.
FWIW, I add the manure, a handfull of Osmocote pellets, and a handfull of wood ashes and find that it carries me thru the end of flowering with only general 20-20-20 nutes or the flowering formula. Works great!

 

[MIMedGrower]

Last year for my first grow, I grew two lovely plants about 5 ft tall each in 25 gallon smart (fabric) pots, it was great. I used Pro-mix HP (white bag) as it was recommended by a lot of people. Although this combination worked great and provided a great product, I think it could have been better. With the combination of these two, my soil was drying out WAY too quickly. I was ending up watering 1 large watering can (8L or 10L, can't remember) every single night and if I missed a night they would look really thirsty. Because it was drying up so quickly all the time, I think it was affecting the final harvest! On the flip side, my friend had the same plant in the ground and he said he barely watered, once a week - product was almost exact same!

I'm trying to think how I can improve this system (I don't want it in the ground, like the move-ability). I have read the tips and tricks of breaking up the soil a bit at the top and it helps with drainage, but I still think I will run into the same issue. I know its early, but just in case I need to order something, who knows when it will come in.

Here are my thoughts, and looking for advice:

1. Purchase this a water heater pan (only thing I could find at a reasonable price to catch water).
View attachment 957580

Let it capture any run off from sides and bottom and let it soak in for a little after watering, then remove. The thought here would be that it would kind of bottom feed after top feeding utilizing all the water, and whatever it doesn't suck up I can toss.

2. Use a different type a soil that keeps moisture better - any suggestions? I am not really interested in mixing my own soil, prefer to be able to buy something at a reasonable price!

This is all i could really think up. Any suggestions would be truly appreciated!

Pro mix hp is their faster draining medium. Pro mix BX is designed to hold more water. Also adding worm castings will help hold more water.

 

[agencare10]

Pro mix hp is their faster draining medium. Pro mix BX is designed to hold more water. Also adding worm castings will help hold more water.

Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for the advice! I couldn't find any Pro Mix BX, but I was able to order something very similar - https://asbgreenworld.com/en/produc...co-3-8-cu-ft-compressed-bale-872552001022.php. The only difference I am seeing is that it has starter nutrients...I talked to advanced nutrients, they said its not a big deal, just wait 2 weeks before putting on their product.

Looking forward to trying out this new soil!!