When to Water and Fertilize

At flowering stage, how often should I water? How often should I put fertilizer in the water?

At flowering stage, how often should I water? How often should I put fertilizer in the water?

Wilo

This question is impossible to give you a firm answer. I can only give you guidelines. My best advice is to water when the plants need irrigating and fertilizer when they need nutrients. There are many variables that dictate a plant's water and fertilizer consumption. The age of the plant, container size, soil texture, temperature, humidity, and ventilation all contribute to water needs. Change any one of these variables, and the water consumption will change. Good ventilation is essential to promote a free flow of fluids, transpiration, and rapid growth. The healthier a plant, the faster it grows and the more water it needs. Small plants with a small root system in small containers must be watered often. Water frequently-as soon as the soil surface dries out. If exposed to wind, the small plants will dry out very quickly.

I like to use simple rules of thumb or in this case the rule of finger. When you can stick your finger into the container of a one to two-month-old plant and it is dry down to the first knuckle, about an a half inch to an inch, below the surface, it is ready to water, that is as long as drainage is good. For example, four-week-old clones flowering in 2- to 3-gallon containers need to be irrigated once or twice daily. Flowering marijuana uses high levels of water to carry on rapid floral formation. Withholding the water stunts the flower formation. Plants that suffer wind stress dry out much faster. A moisture meter, about $30, will take much of the guesswork out of irrigating. Remember that many times soil does will not hold the water evenly, and it develops dry pockets. Checking the moisture with a finger provides an educated guess but can damage the root system. A moisture meter will give an exact moisture reading without disturbing the roots. Lightly cultivating the soil surface will help the water penetrate the soil evenly and help avoid dry pockets.

As for fertilization, I recommend that you follow the manufacturer's guidelines, because all fertilizers are not created equally.