Cannabis cultivation, like any other plant, requires a delicate balance. One of the most crucial aspects of this balance is proper watering. While cannabis is known for its resilience, getting the water right is essential for optimal growth and yield. This three-part blog series will delve into the world of cannabis watering, from understanding its needs to recognizing signs of water stress.
Why Cannabis Needs Water
Water is the lifeblood of cannabis plants. It transports nutrients throughout the plant, regulates temperature, and plays a vital role in photosynthesis. During the vegetative stage, cannabis requires a good amount of water for rapid growth. However, water needs change throughout the plant’s life cycle.
The Main Danger: Too Much of a Good Thing
While water is essential, overwatering is a common mistake for new growers. Soggy soil deprives roots of oxygen, leading to root rot, stunted growth, and nutrient deficiencies. Overwatering can also attract fungus gnats and other pests.
Learning When to Water Cannabis Plants
There’s no magic formula for how much water a cannabis plant needs. Several factors influence water requirements, including:
- Growth Stage: Seedlings need less water than mature plants. Flowering plants also require slightly less water than those in the vegetative stage.
- Pot Size: Larger pots hold more moisture, so plants in bigger containers will need less frequent watering than those in smaller ones.
- Grow Medium: Soil retains moisture longer than coco coir or hydroponic setups. Plants in these mediums will need water more frequently.
- Climate: Hot, dry climates will require more frequent watering than cool, humid ones.
- Airflow: Good air circulation helps the soil dry out faster, so plants in stagnant air may need less frequent watering.
Factors affecting cannabis watering needs.
Let’s dive deeper into the factors affecting cannabis watering needs:
Indoor or Outdoor Grow?
Indoor Grows:
- With more controlled environments, indoor growers have greater influence over factors like temperature and humidity.
- Faster evaporation rates indoors often mean more frequent watering.
- However, factors like pot size, grow medium, and airflow still play a significant role.
Outdoor Grows:
- Mother Nature plays a bigger role outdoors.
- Rainfall and humidity significantly impact watering needs.
- During hot, dry periods, outdoor plants will require more frequent watering than during cooler, wetter times.
Grow Medium and Watering Cannabis Plants
The type of grow medium you choose influences water retention and drainage, impacting watering frequency.
- Soil: The most common medium, soil retains moisture well. While offering a buffer against underwatering, it can also lead to overwatering if not managed properly.
- Coco Coir: A popular alternative to soil, coco coir offers good drainage and aeration. However, it dries out faster than soil and requires more frequent watering.
- Hydroponics: In hydroponic setups, plants’ roots are suspended in a nutrient solution rather than a medium. Watering becomes a matter of managing the nutrient solution’s strength and pH levels.
Water Quality
Water quality plays a crucial role in cannabis health. Here are some factors to consider:
- Tap Water: Municipal tap water often contains chlorine and other minerals that can harm cannabis plants. Using a water filter or letting tap water sit for 24 hours can help remove these impurities.
- pH Level: The ideal water pH for cannabis is between 6.0 and 7.0. Water that is too acidic or alkaline can interfere with nutrient uptake.
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): High TDS levels in water can lead to nutrient lockout. Aim for a TDS level between 200 and 500 ppm for cannabis.
Factors influencing water needs and water quality
Let’s delve into practical applications:
How Much Water Does a Cannabis Plant Need?
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best way to determine how much water your plants need is to lift the pot. When the pot feels lightweight, it’s likely time to water. Another method is to stick your finger into the soil. If the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water. However, avoid letting the soil completely dry out, especially during critical growth stages.
When Is It Time To Water Cannabis Plants?
Beyond the weight of the pot and soil dryness, here are some signs your cannabis plants might be thirsty:
- Wilting leaves: Leaves drooping downwards, losing their rigidity, are a classic sign of underwatering.
- Leaf curling: Leaves curling upwards at the edges can also indicate underwatering.
- Discoloration: Leaves turning lighter green or yellow can be a sign of underwatering, but it’s important to rule out nutrient deficiencies first.
Remember, underwatering is preferable to overwatering. Overwatered plants may exhibit some of these signs as well:
- Stunted growth: Plants appear smaller and less vigorous than they should be.
- Yellowing leaves: Lower leaves yellowing and falling off can be a sign of overwatering.
- Mold growth: Soggy soil creates a breeding ground for mold and fungus gnats.
Read- Indica vs. Sativa: A Deep Dive into the Effects and Uses
How To Recognize Water Issues
By being observant, you can identify water issues early on and take corrective measures. Here are some additional tips:
- Water deeply: When watering, aim to soak the entire root zone. This encourages roots to grow deeper, searching for moisture.
- Avoid runoff: While some runoff is okay, excessive runoff can leach nutrients from the soil.
- Focus on root health: Healthy roots are better at absorbing water and nutrients. Proper watering practices and a well-aerated grow medium contribute to healthy roots.
Conclusion
Watering cannabis effectively requires understanding the plant’s needs and the various factors that influence them. By following the tips in this series, you can develop a watering routine that keeps your cannabis plants happy and thriving.
Additional Tips:
- Some growers consider adding beneficial microbes to their watering routine. These microbes can help improve root health and nutrient uptake.
- During flowering, some growers recommend slightly reducing watering frequency to encourage denser bud production. However, be mindful of underwatering during this crucial stage.