Blunt Africa
Member
Fingers are crossed.....
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My 1st Hydro - Hand Watered Bucket - NL
- Thread starter Blunt Africa
- Start date
Blunt Africa
Member
So how often would you recommend watering? I normally water at the first sign of wilting or when the pot feels light.
I know that some hydro systems keep the roots in the solution at all times whilst others apply solution at intervals. My guess is that it won't make too much difference so long as I'm not topping up the reservoir every day.
I also hope that a 50/50 mix won't hold too much moisture. The plans that I built my system from recommended a 50/50 mix.
I know that some hydro systems keep the roots in the solution at all times whilst others apply solution at intervals. My guess is that it won't make too much difference so long as I'm not topping up the reservoir every day.
I also hope that a 50/50 mix won't hold too much moisture. The plans that I built my system from recommended a 50/50 mix.
Awol/CoA
Member
Not to be rude man, but I have to disagree with that to a degree.Dr. D said:
The problem I have is the amount of Vermiculite as my country has a very
similar climate to that of South Africa's and I've had problems with root rot
with that amount of Vermiculite in my mixes when I first started out,
especially with seedlings, rarely did any of them make it past 6 weeks.
I had a root rot/mold problem 3 or 4 days ago with only 30% Vermiculite,
all because the weather was hot all week (avg. of 28 celcius, give or take)
and slightly humid.
Also, in the info mace_ecam posted above about this technique, it says;
Hempy said:
Anyway, that's just my 2 cents...
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Awol/CoA
Member
Having a 50/50 mix, you'll really only need to water once a week.Blunt Africa said:
Best advice I can give you on watering is...
Monitor them and over a period of a few weeks you'll be able to judge
for yourself the watering periods they'll need, as it all depends on the
climate and medium they're in, for instance, if they're in a hot climate
they'll need water more often, in a colder climate they'll need less
watering. But for now, start with a weekly watering and tailor it to
the plants needs from there.
Awol.
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http://www.growingedge.com/basics/easyplans/selfwater.html
the self watering pot is a nice simple hydro setup. i currently have some plants (not pot) in a perlite/lava rock mix. the plants seem to like it. i just top the water off once a week or so as needed. i tried doing one with an all perlite mix and i got a green algae looking growth on the perlite. i think i was keeping it too wet though.
the self watering pot is a nice simple hydro setup. i currently have some plants (not pot) in a perlite/lava rock mix. the plants seem to like it. i just top the water off once a week or so as needed. i tried doing one with an all perlite mix and i got a green algae looking growth on the perlite. i think i was keeping it too wet though.
Blunt Africa
Member
Interesting link, I was wondering what would happen If I simply submerged the pot into a shallow container with my nutes. I probably won't use it much as I'm around mostly to keep an eye on the plant. But if I go away for 4/5 days (which I'll be doing in about a month's time) I 'll consider using using the reseroir....
But then again if I only need to water her once a week then it may not come to that. Call me a doffie (South Acrifans know what a doffie is!). But my weed growing experience tells me that as the plant gets bigger it draws moisture from the medium quicker and quicker.... so this may be an option in the future...
Nice one dan...
BTW - I don't know how perlite would encourage algae, It is a non-porous medium so straight perlite should have a problem with retaining enough moisture to feed plants.
But then again if I only need to water her once a week then it may not come to that. Call me a doffie (South Acrifans know what a doffie is!). But my weed growing experience tells me that as the plant gets bigger it draws moisture from the medium quicker and quicker.... so this may be an option in the future...
Nice one dan...
BTW - I don't know how perlite would encourage algae, It is a non-porous medium so straight perlite should have a problem with retaining enough moisture to feed plants.
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ahoy Blunt!
how goes, bro? how about some pics?
take care :tup:
how goes, bro? how about some pics?
take care :tup:
G
Guest
Your not doing anything wrong =]
Make a little wick system and all your problems are solved =]
LMFAO!!! Thats funny, I had a 50/50 mix in 3 gallons, and they dried up in 3 days....
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darkside420
Active member
Nice, very nice. I've never even thought about this method, well done sir.
N
Neptune
BA,
Do not worry about the reservoir on the bottom of the bucket yet, it will not hurt anything at this stage, but l;ater in flowering could pose a problem... I sugguest the following:
1) Drill a few more holes further down on the container, lower that reservoir down, or better yet... just drill a few in the bottom and place a tray/water catch underneath the bucket for runoff.
2) If you are operating totally without a meter, I would say you must* use the Lucas Forumlas, and flush with plain distilled water every 2 weeks or so to reduce buildup in the medium.
Lucas Formulas are:
Veg 0-5-10
Bloom 0-8-16
those are ml/gallon of Grow-Micro-Bloom (there is no GROW needed, everything contained in the GROW formula is actually contained in the other two in a more balanced proportion. Dont use any grow.)
I would however, suggest a weaker/diluted strength for your stage..
instead of 0-5-10, try 0-3-6. note that the Lucas Forumla is always 0-1-2..... 1:2 ratio of micro to bloom. So play around with it, but always stick with a 1:2 ratio and you will be properly balanced.
you are off to a good start!
Do not worry about the reservoir on the bottom of the bucket yet, it will not hurt anything at this stage, but l;ater in flowering could pose a problem... I sugguest the following:
1) Drill a few more holes further down on the container, lower that reservoir down, or better yet... just drill a few in the bottom and place a tray/water catch underneath the bucket for runoff.
2) If you are operating totally without a meter, I would say you must* use the Lucas Forumlas, and flush with plain distilled water every 2 weeks or so to reduce buildup in the medium.
Lucas Formulas are:
Veg 0-5-10
Bloom 0-8-16
those are ml/gallon of Grow-Micro-Bloom (there is no GROW needed, everything contained in the GROW formula is actually contained in the other two in a more balanced proportion. Dont use any grow.)
I would however, suggest a weaker/diluted strength for your stage..
instead of 0-5-10, try 0-3-6. note that the Lucas Forumla is always 0-1-2..... 1:2 ratio of micro to bloom. So play around with it, but always stick with a 1:2 ratio and you will be properly balanced.
you are off to a good start!
Blunt Africa
Member
Thanks for those tips there guys, I've read a lot about this Lucas formula and think I'm gonna have a crack at it on my next grow. I've got a small bubbler made that I want to try in the next month or so I'm thinking of giving this formula a whirl then.
Here's an update on the little lady for ya.
As you can see she has made good progress over the past few days. Her pot was light so I gave her a drink with nutes mixed at about a third strength. I'm not able at the moment to adjust the PH of the water but I have tested the filtered water I'm using and with the nutes the PH is about 6.
She is now twice the size of the other soil girls I got going at the moment, this just shows particlularly how much faster 24/7 light makes her grow. The next set of leaves which come up should have 5 fingers on 'em.
My plan is to top early and then to top these growths again. I've had experience with topping plants at their 6/7th nodes but I want to grow maybe 6 main shoots from the base of the plants and try get the bush effect going on without having to tie her down. I'm in noe rush with this one so it's time for me to exeriment.
Here's an update on the little lady for ya.
As you can see she has made good progress over the past few days. Her pot was light so I gave her a drink with nutes mixed at about a third strength. I'm not able at the moment to adjust the PH of the water but I have tested the filtered water I'm using and with the nutes the PH is about 6.
She is now twice the size of the other soil girls I got going at the moment, this just shows particlularly how much faster 24/7 light makes her grow. The next set of leaves which come up should have 5 fingers on 'em.
My plan is to top early and then to top these growths again. I've had experience with topping plants at their 6/7th nodes but I want to grow maybe 6 main shoots from the base of the plants and try get the bush effect going on without having to tie her down. I'm in noe rush with this one so it's time for me to exeriment.
looking good!
Blunt Africa
Member
yebo gogo!
Blunt Africa
Member
Nice root ball u got going there.
Good to see that there are others out there doing it this way also.
Good to see that there are others out there doing it this way also.
G
Guest
Thats a happy root ball =]
Blunt Africa
Member
Very Happy, that's what I want to see...
Righty, A quick update. I topped the NL yesterday, right at the point where the first two shoots are coming from the two first "true" leaves. I wanna try and grow a bush this time round. I intend to top these two growths and hen top these again.
The plan is to get 8 main shoots growing out so hopefully get 8 decent colas going. I've read that hydro grows fat dank buds so that's what I'm looking for...
Righty, A quick update. I topped the NL yesterday, right at the point where the first two shoots are coming from the two first "true" leaves. I wanna try and grow a bush this time round. I intend to top these two growths and hen top these again.
The plan is to get 8 main shoots growing out so hopefully get 8 decent colas going. I've read that hydro grows fat dank buds so that's what I'm looking for...
hey BA!
ever thought of LST instead of topping..? ain't she a bit young for a top? most people do it after the 4th node, i guess your plant is just gonna take longer to heal.
that's why i prefer LST, no cutting, no heavy stressing, no waiting for plants to recover, multiple tops..
please confirm that my e-mail went through in PM.
cheers!
ever thought of LST instead of topping..? ain't she a bit young for a top? most people do it after the 4th node, i guess your plant is just gonna take longer to heal.
that's why i prefer LST, no cutting, no heavy stressing, no waiting for plants to recover, multiple tops..
please confirm that my e-mail went through in PM.
cheers!
Blunt Africa
Member
HOTC...tsk....tsk...tsk!
You know that I done LST before bro...shame on you LOL
Did not know though about topping so young. I want to try and grow 8 main shoots right from the base. We'll see how that goes..
Did u send a mai to the yahoo account that I mailed you from. I checked earlier today but did not see a mail from ya...
You know that I done LST before bro...shame on you LOL
Did not know though about topping so young. I want to try and grow 8 main shoots right from the base. We'll see how that goes..
Did u send a mai to the yahoo account that I mailed you from. I checked earlier today but did not see a mail from ya...
