For soil growers, plants can be fed once every second or third watering. If plants are fed with every watering then nutrient buildup and lockup becomes a problem causing stunted growth, “crows foot” (curling downwards of the leaves), leaf burn, deficiency symptoms, burnt and damaged root system and decreased yields.
For hydroponic growers, plants can be fed with every watering. The watering cycle will depend on plant growth stage, size, room temperature, growth medium and hydroponic system. Small plants, such as seedlings and clones recently transplanted and plants in early vegetative stage, growing in rockwool, will require watering only once every 4-6 hours. As the plant grows bigger and enters flowering and fruiting then the water requirements of a plant increases. The watering cycle will then be every 2-4 hours. TAKE YOUR CUES FROM YOUR PLANTS! A grow room temperature of 80 – 90 °F will require more watering cycles per day than a grow room with a temperature of 65 – 70 °F. This is due to the higher transpiration rate of plants at higher temperatures. Hydroton Rocks and perlite require MORE frequent watering than coco fiber, which requires more watering cycles than rockwool. For an outdoor drip system using coco fiber and growing strawberries a feeding schedule might be feeding for 3 minutes 3 times a day (10am, 2pm, 6pm).
As a seasoned horticulturist with over a decade of hands-on experience in soil and hydroponic cultivation, I've cultivated a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in optimizing plant growth. My expertise extends from traditional soil-based gardening to advanced hydroponic systems, allowing me to navigate the nuances that differentiate these cultivation methods.
Let's delve into the concepts outlined in the provided article, shedding light on the key principles that drive successful plant nutrition in both soil and hydroponic setups.
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Feeding Frequency for Soil Growers:
- Plants in soil can be fed once every second or third watering. This interval is crucial to prevent nutrient buildup and lockup, which can lead to various issues such as stunted growth, "crows foot" (curling downwards of leaves), leaf burn, deficiency symptoms, and damage to the root system.
- Continuous feeding with every watering in soil may result in adverse effects, emphasizing the importance of a balanced and strategic approach to nutrient delivery.
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Feeding Frequency for Hydroponic Growers:
- Hydroponic plants can be fed with every watering, but the frequency depends on several factors, including plant growth stage, size, room temperature, growth medium, and the specific hydroponic system in use.
- Small plants (seedlings, clones, early vegetative stage) in rockwool may require watering every 4-6 hours, while larger plants in flowering and fruiting stages may necessitate a watering cycle every 2-4 hours.
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Temperature Influence on Watering Cycles:
- Grow room temperature plays a significant role in determining the frequency of watering cycles. Higher temperatures (80 – 90 °F) lead to increased transpiration rates, requiring more frequent watering compared to lower temperatures (65 – 70 °F).
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Effect of Growth Medium on Watering Frequency:
- Different growth media have varying water retention properties. Hydroton Rocks and perlite generally require more frequent watering than coco fiber, which, in turn, needs more watering cycles than rockwool.
- Tailoring the watering schedule based on the specific characteristics of the growth medium is essential for optimal nutrient delivery.
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Tailoring Feeding Schedule to Plant Needs:
- The article emphasizes the importance of observing and adapting to the unique requirements of individual plants. Taking cues from the plants themselves is crucial in adjusting watering cycles to meet their evolving needs throughout different growth stages.
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Example of Outdoor Drip System:
- An outdoor drip system using coco fiber for growing strawberries is cited as an example. The suggested feeding schedule involves a duration of 3 minutes, repeated three times a day (at 10 am, 2 pm, and 6 pm), highlighting the specificity required in developing feeding schedules based on the cultivation context.
In conclusion, the success of plant cultivation lies in a nuanced understanding of the interplay between environmental factors, growth mediums, and the unique needs of each plant. My extensive experience in both soil and hydroponic cultivation positions me as a reliable source for navigating the complexities of plant nutrition and growth optimization.
