Watering Cannabis | Quick Tip

If you want to grow quality weed, you need to know how to water a cannabis plant. How often does it need water? How much? What happens if you don't do it right? We are going to explain it to you as briefly and accurately as possible in a new Dutch-Headshop Quick Tip.

Watering Cannabis

Watering a cannabis plant, no matter how big or small, is always done this way.

1. Make sure the pot the plant is in has holes in it. Drainage is the key. Excess water needs to go somewhere.
2. Check if the soil is still moist. You can do this by sticking your finger or a skewer about 2 to 3 centimeters deep into the soil. Is the soil moist and does it stick to your finger or the skewer? Then you do not need to water your weed plant yet. Does the soil feel dry and does it not stick to your finger or the wooden stick? It´s time to water the weed plant. 
3. Calculate how much water your cannabis plant needs. You can do this by taking into account the points from the next paragraph (below the picture).
4. If necessary, mix plant nutrition into the water.
5. Check the pH value before you give the water to your plants.
6. Pour the water gently and evenly over the soil. Make sure to wet the entire surface of the soil. Not just around the plant.

Note that seedlings are an exception to the rule. For seedlings, give small amounts of water. Pour it only around the plant, where the roots are located. 

How much & How often schould you be watering cannabis?

There are no rules when it comes to the amount of water you should give. It depends on a number of factors. How often does a cannabis plant need water? That also depends on these factors (start with once every 2 days). We are going to help you make a good estimation yourself.

• The amount of water depends partly on the growing stage. So seedlings need less water. As the plant ages, it needs more water. So in the flowering phase, plants need more water than in the growing phase. 
• The size of the pot is extremely important for the amount of water. Often, the larger the pot, the larger the plant. Larger plants have a larger root system and therefore absorb more water.
• The amount of water is very dependent on the humidity and temperature. Growing at summer temperatures? Then a plant can use up to four times as much water as normal. 
• The growing medium is important. We're talking about growing in soil here. Are you growing in coconut fiber or another hydrological medium? Different rules apply for that.

Based on these factors, you can judge for yourself how much and how often to be watering cannabis plants. Can't figure it out? Then pay close attention to the soil. Use the method above and adjust the amount of water. 

Too much or not enough water

You can tell when your cannabis plant is getting too much or too little water. 

• Not enough water: leaves feel limp and hang down. Over time, they turn yellow.
• Too much water: leaves feel firm, but curl downward. Especially at the tips. Over time, they turn yellow.

When you see these symptoms: don't panic! If you have been overwatering, skip 1 or 2 waterings. Did you give too little water? Then increase the amount or frequency and she will recover very quickly.

Is there something else going on with your plants? See what's wrong in the blog “Leaf problems Part 2: Recognizing shortages and excesses”.