Coots style soil with smaller containers(5G to 7G)

As I make the jump from amended bag soil to something a bit more homemade, I am getting excited about putting together a Coots style mix.
In the requisite reading up on usage and stuff I found a few people saying that the mix didn't perform as well in smaller containers.
I am in a 3x3 tent, so I can't really go much bigger than 7G and those are pretty much filling the tent with 3.

So, what has your experience been if you use it in smaller containers? Do you change anything? Anything to be aware of?

Thanks everyone! I have read the whole thread on living soil and seems that as with most everything here, the opinions vary widely!

Tex

Nwtexan said:

As I make the jump from amended bag soil to something a bit more homemade, I am getting excited about putting together a Coots style mix.
In the requisite reading up on usage and stuff I found a few people saying that the mix didn't perform as well in smaller containers.
I am in a 3x3 tent, so I can't really go much bigger than 7G and those are pretty much filling the tent with 3.

So, what has your experience been if you use it in smaller containers? Do you change anything? Anything to be aware of?

Thanks everyone! I have read the whole thread on living soil and seems that as with most everything here, the opinions vary widely!

Tex

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What is the highest vertical depth of soil you're looking at? I ask this because maybe a conventional pot isn't the right form factor for your space. For example, if you can go as deep as 10" of soil, you could easily fit 56 gallons of soil in there in a square container that matches your tent floor dimensions. Even at 8 inch deep soil, that would hold almost 45 gallons. Round pots waste a lot of space that more productively could have roots growing in them, especially when vertical space in a small grow tent is usually at a premium.

Northwood said:

What is the highest vertical depth of soil you're looking at? I ask this because maybe a conventional pot isn't the right form factor for your space. For example, if you can go as deep as 10" of soil, you could easily fit 56 gallons of soil in there in a square container that matches your tent floor dimensions. Even at 8 inch deep soil, that would hold almost 45 gallons. Round pots waste a lot of space that more productively could have roots growing in them, especially when vertical space in a small grow tent is usually at a premium.

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Hm,
I hadn't thought about that. I'm not sure exactly how tall the 7G fabrics I am using are. Where do you look for big tubs like that?
I have a couple of things on the floor(small heater and small fan) that wouldn't have anywhere to to unless I put them on a board or something on the soil.

Have you tried sub irrigation b4?

mistergrafik said:

Have you tried sub irrigation b4?

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I have not. This is my first grow in a while.

Nwtexan said:

I have not. This is my first grow in a while.

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Check out SIPS - some are larger than others cool stuff here on them and they work good with a coots style mix as all you have 2 worry is water!

I stick the hose in mine every other week if I remember. My mix isn’t coots but inspired by him and GAS from swami. SS#4, a bit of compost and a bit extra perlite. I amended with some other things also - it’s kept some plant alive and blooming 6/7 months now

do you have an idea of your blend?

I should add it’s not wise to stick the hose in as such unless you have a filter at least

Nwtexan said:

Hm,
I hadn't thought about that. I'm not sure exactly how tall the 7G fabrics I am using are. Where do you look for big tubs like that?
I have a couple of things on the floor(small heater and small fan) that wouldn't have anywhere to to unless I put them on a board or something on the soil.

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You can find tubs like that at your local Walmart or Home Depot. Just check the outside dimensions on whatever small bins/tots they have and ensure it's not greater than your tent size. Even 2 X 2.5 feet would be better than a conventional pot. Then simply drill a lot of holes in the bottom and lower sides, and cut the top portion of the bin off to your desired height, like 3" higher than your expected soil level. You should have something you can use grow after grow for $7 that is your perfect form factor to fit your situation.

This plant is in a 7 gallon fabric pot with coots mix. Second run with this soil. Ammended it with a little Dr Earth homegrown before this run. Gonna get some perlite tomorrow and make a sip out of a big plastic tub I have. Ill be putting this pot, and a 10 gallon pot in there.

Northwood said:

You can find tubs like that at your local Walmart or Home Depot. Just check the outside dimensions on whatever small bins/tots they have and ensure it's not greater than your tent size. Even 2 X 2.5 feet would be better than a conventional pot. Then simply drill a lot of holes in the bottom and lower sides, and cut the top portion of the bin off to your desired height, like 3" higher than your expected soil level. You should have something you can use grow after grow for $7 that is your perfect form factor to fit your situation.

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I'm fixing to use a tub I got from Lowes, it was over in the masonry section. 24" x 36" I think, about 8" deep. I believe it was the cheapest thing I could find that size, that I felt would hold up.

GrassBurner said:

This plant is in a 7 gallon fabric pot with coots mix. Second run with this soil. Ammended it with a little Dr Earth homegrown before this run. Gonna get some perlite tomorrow and make a sip out of a big plastic tub I have. Ill be putting this pot, and a 10 gallon pot in there.
View attachment 4820653

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Did you do the straight Coots mix(outside of the Dr. earth?) Did you amend before you planted?

I did pretty alright with just water and a microbe drench here and there. A lil fish hydrolase twice in 3 gal pots but didn’t have any veg, they were pheno testing clones that got put into flower once rooted. Depending on veg time I’m willing to bet you could swing the entire cycle in a 7 gal with not much but water and a little ewc top dress. Maybe hydrolase.

Nwtexan said:

Did you do the straight Coots mix(outside of the Dr. earth?) Did you amend before you planted?

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Yeah it was just straight coots mix. I follow his watering schedule, and top dress with neem cake 3 weeks into flower, then switch to karanja instead of neem. Just keep an eye on your plants. I have Neptune's Harvest (hydrolyzed fish) just in case I get a hungry plant.
Here is the watering schedule
Plain water
No watering
Malted Barley Powder top-dress watered in with Aloe/Fulvic/Silica (agsil or your silica source of choice)
No watering
Plain water
Neem/Kelp tea
No watering
Plain water
No watering
Coconut Water
No watering

I did ammend the soil before I planted. Basically I dump the soil from the pot, add my ammendments, mix well, then put it back in the pot. When amending coots mix, I go half of what is recommended on the bag. Its easier to top dress with more, then to deal with a soil that's too hot. Good time to add perlite or any other aeration.

Northwood said:

You can find tubs like that at your local Walmart or Home Depot. Just check the outside dimensions on whatever small bins/tots they have and ensure it's not greater than your tent size. Even 2 X 2.5 feet would be better than a conventional pot. Then simply drill a lot of holes in the bottom and lower sides, and cut the top portion of the bin off to your desired height, like 3" higher than your expected soil level. You should have something you can use grow after grow for $7 that is your perfect form factor to fit your situation.

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Just put a couple seeds into solo cups yesterday. Have been debating on what to use for final containers in my little 2x2.5ft tent, but you have just settled that for me. These plants will just get put in the 19 gallon tote already pre-drilled as a worm bin that my soil is sitting in now. Threw a couple tablespoons of different amendments and a few hand shovels of some fresh vermicompost from the worm bins, so hoping for a solid run this time.

Bigger pots means more room for error. Smaller pots means you have to be precise in your ratios and watering. Also means you would have to amend npks and minerals more often, defeating the purpose of no till, Although nothing wrong with low till. Also you would need to run water through those pots every other cycle, sodium can easily build up in smaller pots.
Your yield might suffer, but depending on genetics and training and style of grow (scrog, sog, etc etc) you may be able to match what you would get in larger pots. Of course many other variables to take into consideration.
Quality should be the same assuming nothing goes wrong.

I think of Cootz every time I blend up some corn sprouts...

I highly recommend the Brute Totes from Rubbermaid as they have 2 sizes in food-grade plastic. I posted my SIP setup on the SIP thread but there's 2 sizes and they nest perfectly and leave a nice 6-7gal rez.

I have been using coots mix with a couple extra amendments in 5 and 3 gallon pots and doing okay for several years. I don’t grow for profit so my yield isn’t huge but it’s good enough for me, and you stay away from the grow store because you never know who is in the building a cross the road watching what you buy

poundofyourfinest said:

I have been using coots mix with a couple extra amendments in 5 and 3 gallon pots and doing okay for several years. I don’t grow for profit so my yield isn’t huge but it’s good enough for me, and you stay away from the grow store because you never know who is in the building a cross the road watching what you buy

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What is your mix?

NewGrower2011 said:

I highly recommend the Brute Totes from Rubbermaid as they have 2 sizes in food-grade plastic. I posted my SIP setup on the SIP thread but there's 2 sizes and they nest perfectly and leave a nice 6-7gal rez.

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Where is the SIP thread? What is it about SIP that you like? I have already invested in a big reservoir with pumps, water halos and a water wand that works pretty well with my setup