Watering Guide in Living Soil
The most critical element of the system — Dogma Approach
In Living Soil, watering is not a mechanical action. It is the main tool the grower uses to regulate the biological balance of the substrate: oxygenation, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.
There is no universal formula. Each pot, genotype, and growth stage requires direct reading. Learning how to water means learning how to read the system.
It is the only variable fully in the hands of the grower: managing it well means controlling the entire system.
1. Why watering is different in Living Soil
In mineral systems, water transports nutrients. In Living Soil, water regulates biology.
Role of water
- Activates biological cycles
- Regulates the oxygen/moisture balance
- Enables microbial activity
Imbalances
- Too much water → anaerobic conditions, microbial shutdown
- Too little water → reduced microbial activity, nutrients unavailable
The goal is not “watering the plant”, but keeping the biological system active.
2. Lift-and-feel technique
The most reliable method is pot weight, not the calendar.
- Saturated pot: heavy → memorize
- Dry pot: light → memorize
- Water at around 60–70% between the two extremes
Why it works
- Accounts for climate, plant, and growth stage
- Requires no tools
- Becomes an automatic sense over time
This is one of the most important skills in Living Soil.
3. How much water — runoff
Irrigation must wet the entire substrate volume.
Indicators
- Ideal runoff: 10–15%
- No runoff → insufficient watering
- Excess runoff → already saturated substrate
Indicative frequency
- Vegetative stage: longer cycles
- Pre-flowering: increasing consumption
- Flowering: maximum consumption
- Late stage: reduced watering (optional)
4. Overwatering — excess water
The most common and most damaging mistake.
Plant symptoms
- “Clawing” leaves
- General yellowing
- Stunted growth
- Heavy, dull plant
Substrate symptoms
- Constantly heavy pot
- Sour smell
- Surface mold
- Compacted structure
Correction
- Stop watering
- Increase ventilation
- Reduce future watering volumes
- Lightly aerate the substrate (if severe)
5. Underwatering — water deficiency
Lack of water also blocks microbial life.
- Thin or upward-pointing leaves
- Lower leaf drop
- Substrate pulling away from pot edges
- Stunted growth
- No or delayed runoff
Hydrophobic substrate
- Water slowly
- Use multiple light passes
6. Water quality
- Ideal pH: 6.2 – 6.8
- Chlorine: let rest for 24h
- Low EC: below 0.4
- Temperature: 18–22°C
Rainwater is often the best choice.
7. Watering and Dogma products
Biological products work best with medium-moisture substrate.
- Pure Molasses → not on dry substrate
- Ecobiobooster → only during biological activity
- Root Connection → early stages and flowering
Key rule: avoid saturated or completely dry substrates during application.
