Top Feed/Drip System

**jaekriel** · 06-18-2009, 04:18 PM

Ok so...my seedlings are almost a week old....

They are looking fairly good, they are a bit stretched because I don't have the lights an inch from the plants.

(Last time I tried that, my plants burned up and died within hours, so stretched or not, I'm plaing it safe)

At any rate - I have a Top Feed - Drip system, that pumps water from within, up to the top and out to the top of the plants

In videos I've seen some people water with Top Feed/Drip Systems, where the water pours constantly - but

My seedlings are in Seed Starters inside Hydroton, and I don't want them to be over watered - since the Seed Starters stay moist for quite a while

My questions:

The tubes to water the individual plants are long enough to reach to the bottom of the planter, but the roots are not fully grown out yet

My first thought would be to cut the feed tubes a bit and have them feed from the very top of the root base (where the stem meets the seed starter plug)

My worry is - over watering -

As well - not knowing when to add nutes

For the watering:

If I feed them - how often and how much (using a timer) and from the top of the base or sticking into the Hydroton aiming the water toward the bottom....

For the Nutes:

I've seen the "Mr.Green "I grow chronic" video - and he adds hal strength nutes to his flood drain system to new plants as soon as he puts them under lights

But I have seen people in this forum say not to add nutes to seedlings/baby plants until they are a week old...some say two weeks old...some say 3-4 weeks old.

So:

If I feed them - how often and how much do I water them (using a timer)

and

should I water the plants from the top of the base or sticking into the Hydroton aiming the water toward the bottom....

And when do/should I add nutes to the water?

(The last thing I want to do is burn them up with nutes prematurely.)

Oh - and BTW - on hand in my arsenal -

I have General Hydroponics Micro, Grow, Bloom, as well - Floralicious Grow and Bloom

The GenHydo Chart says to add all of these (as well Diamond Nectar, FloraHydro..etc) - straight away - in small amouts.....

This seems risky to me - but not having worked with nutes yet.....I just don't know

Any suggestions?

Any and all advice would be greatly apprecieated

Thanks in advance

Jay

**indipow82** · 06-18-2009, 04:25 PM

drip systems drip constant usually. ferts are really a personal opinion of when u should use them, also depends on the strain you grow, some are way sensitve. My buddy and his girl wait two weeks from seed to fert, and run a drip constant about two inches from where the roots sit so it does not over feed, and hydroton will not hold enough water itself to worry about over feeding. so, hope that helped a lil, hit me up if you got any questions about their setup, or their ferts and what not!!!

**jaekriel** · 06-18-2009, 05:21 PM

Well actually I'm growing different strains in the same Drip System. Didn't realize I couldn't/shouldn't do that

I have White Rhino, Mazar Kush, Alaskan Ice - plus a freebie Diesel that The Attitude threw in

WR, AI, and MK are Indica (all indoor) and the Diesel - well - that's a bonus add anyway.....

My plan is to grow all of these big enough to clone, then keep the originals as Mothers

So ....if I read you right....

I should run constantly - but don't let the water run on to the Seed Starter (to retain water) but point the tube directly into the Hydroton?

As well - I should wait at least two weeks until I add nutes? (so - atleast one more week?)

Is there any indication that the plant gives that its time to add nutes?

Is using the above listed Gen Hydro nutes simeltaneously ok?

Do I need to get the other Gen Hydro Nutes as Gen Hydro suggests (Diamond Nectar, FloraBlend, FloraNectar) or are the basics good enough to start?

Thanks in advance for any and all help

Jay

**indipow82** · 06-18-2009, 07:06 PM

start ur nutes whenever u think they are big enogh to handle a small dose, what u have now is sufficient for what you want to do. having several strains in there is not a bad thing, just thave to know the plants you grow is all. and yes, do not drip directly on the seed starter as that will retain more than enough water. using your nutes simul. as directed by the bottle is always good, just remember to make sure that they are able to be used like that. the plants will not really lt you know that they are ready for fert, just underdose till you find ur max mix. remember, under feeding is better than over feeding. you got it from it sounds like!! happy growing my friend!!!

**indipow82** · 06-18-2009, 07:09 PM

oh yeah, and as soon as you get a larger root base, you can change the type of hose that drips from one hole drip, to a wrap around with like 5 to 10 drip holes. it will ensure that you do not dry out your roots. and also, keep you eyes on that seed starter as you do not want it to dry out as well. forgot that important part there....

**jaekriel** · 06-18-2009, 07:42 PM

Cool deal.

Thanks for your help/advice/wisdom

I feel better and not so nervous now...

Cheers

Jay

**jaekriel** · 06-18-2009, 07:45 PM

Actually - I just thought of something

I bought a "Cloner System" thht I never used - at least not yet....

Its basically only a tub with netpots and a Airhose that works like an Airstone that aerates (sp?) the water

Would it benefit the Top Feed/Drip Setup if I throw that Water Stone/Hose thingy in the tub?

Or will it do nothing for the Nute/Water Solution at all.....

thanks in advance

Jay

**indipow82** · 06-18-2009, 10:11 PM

for my clones, i use a bowl with water ph at around 5.4-5.8 and mixed with a drop or two of superthrive. I also use an airstone to oxygenate the water and keep it mixed and moving. Those clone machines are awesome, and yes, the air will mix and move the water so your nutes stay mixed in the water, as well as oxygenate it too!!!! So do it!!!!!