I'm a "hempy" newbie and have a few questions. Anyone using straight perlite please feel free to add in!
Instead of coco I'm running straight perlite in 2 gal buckets with no bottom dressing. Watering/feeding every 2 days using the Head/Rez-ipe. Every 2 weeks I flush each bucket with 1 gal water and Flora Kleen to flush out salt build, ect. I do this usually a day or two before the KoolBloom feedings to maximize the effect.
I've read somewhere that using straight perlite can lead to buildup, lockout and pH problems. Any known issues with this problem? Will the flush every 2 weeks keep this at bay or will I eventually have to take the coco plunge?
So far I've seen excellent results, but I have a sensitive BOG BMR pheno and I'm kinda tenative to run her with my current hempy setup.
What do you guys use to catch the runoff when watering?
You are growing in a hydro system....hydro systems don't work well with straight water.
Can't think of a single hydro system that doesn't flush either weekly, bi-weekly or at least when switching from veg to bloom..
Well now you can think of a single hydro system that doesn't need flushing.
Hempy's do not need to be flushed unless you see problems. I even use the same system outside with huge earth boxes and home made version earth boxes as well. You think I'm gonna flush them out? Haven't had to flush a passive hydro system in 4 years.
I call BS!
Hahaha! Just messing with ya.
Still...that's your choice. You don't have to flush but you can flush. If you're growing outdoors, then nature is doing the flushing for you. If indoors, and you accidentally over nute - are you just going to leave it in there...doubt it. You're going to flush.
Now if you're indoors & go easy with your nutes, then I can see how you don't have to flush. BUT I would bet you still flush the last couple of days/weeks, why because it's hydro & not soil.
On that note - a hempy bucket isn't what most people would consider as being hydro. I know technically it is, as it's not soil and the plant gets it's nutes from the solution given to it. I think it's more like pseudo-soil, and that's probably more accurate then calling it "passive hydro". But it really depends on how you have your hempy bucket setup.
Again can't think of a hydro system that doesn't require flushing at least sometime during it's run.
<steps off soapbox, sweeps it off for the next person...>
...I don't flush until i am ready to harvest ...
I am honestly amazed at some people i past on a simple affective method of growing i have used for decades i my self came up with i have given the most simple of instructions and posted pictures of plant after plant of many different strains and yet it seams years later i read people feeding there plants only water for weeks and other things yet they then ask why are there plants ill or unhealthy i cant understand it.
Still...that's your choice. You don't have to flush but you can flush. If you're growing outdoors, then nature is doing the flushing for you. If indoors, and you accidentally over nute - are you just going to leave it in there...doubt it. You're going to flush.
On that note - a hempy bucket isn't what most people would consider as being hydro. I know technically it is, as it's not soil and the plant gets it's nutes from the solution given to it. I think it's more like pseudo-soil, and that's probably more accurate then calling it "passive hydro". But it really depends on how you have your hempy bucket setup.
My outside boxes have covers over them to prevent rain flushes....