And a nice water dispersion table to improve general understanding.

Nice thread Wodan.
Another thing I like about pre-watering before adding fertilizer is it’s nice for testing the runoff before making a decision on how you might want to adjust the pH of the fertilizers going in.

bump...

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This is where another plus with true organics helps out, with a healthy microherd.
Mycorizzhial fungi grow as long strands called hyphae (up to several yards long), pushing their way between soil particles, rocks and roots.
This will grow into the new medium along with the roots and serve as silverware to the plants root system. helping them manipulate the nutrients and water to their mouths.

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I really like that Wodan... I would assume these would serve as pathways for the ryzoshpere as well, pre-establishing the bacterial web so to speak. In many ways, it seems they spread and grow very similar to the ryzosphere itself.

In any healthy plant in nature. The Rhizosphere and Mycorizzhial fungi are unquestionably interlinked, they do, in fact prepare the path for the feeder roots as well as maintain a specific pH within the rhizosphere, somewhat independent of the pH of the soil.

If you use a container where this is possible. You can take a sheet of glass or plexiglass and make a window into the root system with a removable light blocking door or panel. Here is an interesting page describing how to make a Rhizosphere Visualization with an agar suspension and purple bromide dye.


I was giving some deep thought (heavily sativa assisted) the other day while sitting on a bench watching all the nurses walk by, about whether or not, when using full organics with a healthy microherd, if we might be better off with a slightly different target pH then the 6.2-6.8 range so often suggested.
If the mycorizzhial fungi, and the surrounding bacteria and bugziz work more efficienctly at a slightly higher or lower pH. We might be better providing for the plant if we aim for them, as the rhizosphere will be adjusted by the fungi to what the plant needs anyway.

I then drifted off into wondering about layered structured soils with differing degrees of organic waste aimed at providing nutrients through timed decay.
It was damned good herb. Rolanstock...

Great read Wodan! Informative and solid.

Sun

Since the top part of the soil dries first, what about the use of mulch or some other material to prevent this from taking place?

I've read rocks are bad as they compact the soil but something light (ie mulch) is idea as long as it's not abused causing mould growth.

....i just pick up my plants to see if they need water, simple, and seems to suit me fine thus far

Very nice thread. useful information to us that might need help with watering cycles.
Thanks

I have always thought you should let your plants medium dry out completly before watering. I have been reading the new growers bible a bit and it says to never let the medium dry out, to always keep some moisture in the root zone... Why then does other sources say that weed needs a good wet/dry cycle if you never truely let the medium dry? And if this is true, what is a good tell tale sign to water?