Hi Emilya - hope this post finds you well. Last night I read your response to someone who had been overwatering their plants in which you explained to them their errors and offered suggestions to correct. Great post. There was something in there that is SO simple and SO obvious that I would have never thought of it. I HAVE A SCALE. I look at it on my table in front of me every day. Well, like you mentioned, I have been "guessing" at when my little seedlings cup's are 100% dry, based on picking up the cups and figuring, "ok, this is what it weighed when it was dry." That's a losing proposition considering the underground wells and such that you discuss. Especially, I would think, when the pot is a Dixie cup and the margins are so small. I am certain I compromised my first grow for exactly those reasons, among many others, lol. So my plants wake up in about 20 minutes. I'm simply going to weigh a cup with the same soil against the weight this morning of my seedling cups. What could be simpler or more accurate? Simply wait until the numbers match, then water, right?
So I'm wondering, cuz that just seems TOO easy and as a newbie that makes me a little nervous - is this a good way to determine when to water? It seems to be what you were alluding to in your post. I can't think of a better way now that you've pointed out the obvious. One of the elements of your genius is not overlooking the simple despite knowing the complex, and it is much appreciated that you share so willingly. I'm also a sapiosexual, so I dig your stuff on another level as well. (LOL, please take that in the humorous spirit in which it is intended, just trying to give you a morning chuckle...)
Anyway, if there is a downside to this scale method, which I can use all the way until transplant (which is great), could you please let me know and/or tell me a better method?
Thanks so much in advance!
Jon