Grodan Growcubes in Outdoor Guerilla Grow?

[Angel Eyes]

Okay, this idea might get shot down in flames, but as I was hauling soil up to my grow site, I thought how much easier it would be to haul those lightweight growcubes instead of the heavy-ass soil.

These are the rockwool growcubes I'm talking about:







I've seen how rockwool is amazing in it's ability to retain moisture, so why not in a guerilla grow, where my biggest obstacle to a successful grow will be my ability to haul water to my site?

I have a half-hour hike to my site, which is well-hidden in a stand of chaparral. I'm going to grow only one plant, so I'm investing a lot of time and energy in this single plant, but hopefully a successful harvest will be my reward.

The average July/August temperatures are in the upper 80s, and there will be weeks at a time in the high 90s and low 100s. I should be able to consistently haul 2 gallons of water up there every 2-3 days.

Because of gophers in the area, and also to help retain moisture, I dug a hole and buried a 7-gallon black plastic planter's pot. I'll cover the top with thick plastic and mulch to help hold on to moisture.

So, I have plenty of Fox Farm soil up there, but now I'm wondering if the little growcubes might not be a better medium for holding onto moisture throughout the hot summer. Any thoughts on which medium will allow me the best chances of success, given that water retention is my number one goal?

Please let me know what you think about the growcubes in a guerilla scenario.

 

[Skunkenstein]

This Idea has been passed around by a circle of jerks I know..everyone put in there two-cents but nobody rolled the Dice.Myself I wonder about the ph,and maybe a chance of something Yucky growing in Organic soil.But I THINK it might do well in a soil-less medium.I've also ponderd the thought of putting the cubes at the very bottom,acting as a reservoir so to speak.I really think you should attempt it..Then you can be the Outdoor Grow Cube God ..haha!! The Idea does have merit though..many like minded people have brought this Idea-up over the years...Go For it..Good Luck!!

 

[BACKCOUNTRY]

The grow cubes would not hurt anything, and I am sure they would help the soil texture alot, but i think there are vastly cheaper and better ways to improve the soil texture(and moisture retention).

I think Coco coir just to begin with would be as light for the same ammount of mass, and cheaper, also the PH is closer to right on to begin with. If left in its original dry form, it will be very light, and will definaly hold plenty of moisture.
A even cheaper alternitive would be Peat moss, but it is lower in PH, and does not expand in size once wetted as well as Coco.

Another soil improver that is very light, is Perlite, it is usually used to loosen soil, and not for holding moisture, but it makes a super soil mix when used with Coco or Perlite.
Pumice rock is a alternite that can be used to Perlite, but it is not as light. It is more natural colored, and many people use it when they are concerned about the bright white of the Perlite becoming visable(easy to fix by simply not using it in the top few inches of soil). I believe Pumoce will hold some moisture as well(not much).

Also, Water crystals, I use tons of those every year to help keep moisture around a bit longer. I've used them for years now. They are worth it. I usually use twice the called for ammount on the package.

 

[Angel Eyes]

I was pretty much looking at going with just the cubes, and not mixing them with soil.

I have used the grow cubes as the bottom three inches in my one-gallons pots, and it seems to really help the drainage a lot. Also, it makes it easy to bottom feed the plants occasionally.

 

[glock23]

do it! i'd love to see how it works.

 

[BACKCOUNTRY]

Yeah, I was talking in general outdoor situations(I'm a long winded ex-mentor form OG), I still think you could do as well with more conventional potting soils, I don't really see the advantage in using the grow cubes(not trying to urinate on your parade). How much do those buggers cost?

Have fun! Experimenting is the spice of life!