Morning/Afternoon all, hope you’re enjoying the weekend.
I rushed and didn’t add any perlite to my FFOF. I did this last grow (didn’t know better) and had great results. However this time, its just not seeming to drain as well. Speficially, the top layer just seems to hold water for a bit, eventually soaking into the soil and then I can properly water. But it takes forever.
I break up the top layer a bit to try to accelerate the permeation, but doesn’t really work.
They are in their final home, most likely (sexing out some) I can transplant if I only have a few females, but not looking to be that way. I don’t believe other vitals matter, but the tent is 80/72 with 65rh. 8" ac pulling in fresh air. 2 hlgs running 40%. Photos, strain don’t matter.
Anything after the fact I can do to help here? Im going to try some new medium next run so this is likely my last FF run for a bit.
Thanks as always. @Bulldognuts I know you run FF. Thanks as always.
That’s the exact reason a lot of people add more perlite. Peat moss in FF soils is what causes your slow starting. But I’ve not heard of this being a huge issue. Just won’t water as often early on. Sometimes my top gets too dry in happy frog and it’s the same thing. Gotta lay some water on them and give them a minute.
Was it old soil? It may have just dried out too much if so… it will be fine, you probably should have moistened it first and let it sit for a few day before planting, but it should be just fine. It will re-moisten soon enough.
I usually break up soil to assist in permeation of water. I haven’t added any perlite or vermiculite to my soil mixture. Something that has really helped me is this watering pump, it definitely helps in watering. It actually causes soil to break up on top allows water immediately be pulled in. I thought it was a little expensive, but once I received it and used it, definitely worth it. It has a watering attachment that is excellent. I think there’s a cheaper version that runs on batteries, but I would recommend the electric version. It comes with a long ac converter cord.
Is this just an automated version of a pump weed sprayer? That’s what I currently use today to give it a nice slow watering, it’s just the initial breaking of that top layer of soil seems to be the issue. I do like this pump because it allows me to reach into hard areas and also it allows for a very slow soaking. The downside is the amount of time it takes. Thanks to all who chimed in
That’s what this pump does with watering attachment. It will break through top layer of soil and then allow for much faster watering and easier. Along with long cord it also has a long hose. I leave my 5 gallon watering container outside of tent and can water all plants front and back without much effort.
Sorry I’m tired and brain isn’t working. Other than not having to pump and a different nozzle head, how is it different? It seems more convenient, but will the ‘shower head’ permeate more than a slow trickle out of this? This isn’t my exact size I have a 2 gallon one. So another benefit is hooking into a 5gal bucket. But again im more focused on permeation. Will if address that better than this?
Can’t really be sure as far as a comparison. But the flow of water spread out evenly over the head of nozzle on the one I listed, will literally move soil around top of surface. It also has a variable flow rate trigger. Which allows for the flow to start slowly and then once it starts penetrating soil you can speed the flow up. Not really sure how else to describe how well it works. Like I was saying before I usually don’t advocate for any specific accessories for growing as strongly as I do for this. Especially when it seems as expensive as this pump, but that’s the point, it’s truly in my opinion worth it At the same time I wouldn’t want anyone to spend money on something if they aren’t comfortable with it. Convenience, ease of use, and effectiveness makes it worth it to me.
Here’s a video I made to demonstrate how pump works. Excuse the bad narration, Morgan Freeman wasn’t available. Hopefully this will help you figure out if it would be worth purchasing
I hadn’t watered for 2 days. So they were due to be watered. Soil top was fairly dry when I started watering. The power cord is probably 12 ft long and the hose is 8 ft. So pump can be at least 12 feet from outlet and hose can reach 8 ft from pump location.
Hopefully this will help you figure out if it would be worth purchasing 
