Round Two!

Hi everyone! So i just finished my first grow (SOG) and ended up with 1lb 5.5ozs dried! It was good but i want to try something new.

I used rockwool and ebb and flow with a tray, and the rockwool was the biggest pain in the ass as far as PH issue.

I also had a problem with Powdery Mildew because of the small space, and large amounts of plants.

This time around i am going to do larger plants instead of SOG. I have a 1000W MH/HPS and a 4X4 tray.


Instead of rockwool I want to use COCO as i have hear great things and the fact that it is difficult to over-water it is a plus as well as the neutral ph

My questions is, what do you think the appropriate amount of plants would be to use with a 1000W MH/HPS in a 4X4 tray. I have about five and a half feet of grow height and i will be growing indica dominant plants.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

congrats.

COCO is the SHIT! in the good way.
I highly recommend the switch. It's worked soo well for me, i don't give a shit about the competition (Coco Not).

As for trays, i'm not a real tray person. I am going to try a gutter setup soon (dutch leach trays), with Root Pots in them (fabric pots).

but a 1kw bulb with a coverage of approx 4.5x4.5, many people put four plants in 5 gallon buckets under those. so I'd say like 4-8 plants?!? you're going to do a little more vegging this time right?

Truly my recommendation would be to go with putting each plant in their own fabric pot on the tray.
http://www.aurorainnovations.org/rootpots.html


Here's a video on how airpruning helps roots.
http://www.airpotgarden.com/store/index.php?app=gbu0&ns=display&ref=airpotworks


Also the mixed brick has better aeration, and is more suited for hydro than the pith. The matts apprently are crazy too.
http://n-g-w.com/ngw/gardening_supplies.aspx?request=COCOTEK-ORGANIC-GROWING-MEDIUM&title=Growing Media&type=product


Now, if you are thinking about using a carbon filter. please check mine out. I want to share it with everyone. It's genius.
https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/388044-unofficial-dry-vac-carbon-filter.html

Dude that is so huge! Thanks a ton for the help! So you think that those pots work best (root pots)? And 5 gallons would be a good size, then simply fill it with the coco, place it on the tray and flood?

Also, I was thinking about 9 plants to make it all nice and even, would that be ok? And yes i do plan on vegging for longer, what height do you think would be appropriate for the grow, given my conditions?

I was thinking about using this coco from Botainicare..
https://www.horticulturesource.com/grow-media-hydroton-higromite-rockwool-stonewool-coco-coconut-soil-worm-castings-c25/botanicare-readygro-aeration-formula-1-5-cu-ft-p4176/?=

Thanks again for all the help!

Root Pots are just a brand. They are made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles. So is the felt you buy at the arts and crafts stores. You can make some yourself. Another popular brand is the Smart Pot. It's black, same material. Some come with handles. I think maybe a 2-3 gallon size would be good, since they will get properly watered and fed. You can fold the top down so the three is more like a two, then when it gets bigger, you unfold and fill up. I like how adjusting the fold and filling, helps me keep up with the initial stretch. But yeah, Place on tray and flood. It drains so well, but again, i fill the bottoms with just chips. You can buy a brick of just coco chips, its the purple brick, not pictured in the link i sent you. That wholesaler is having trouble keeping up with the products coming out. Although that bag you have there is mighty nice. I haven't tried that from botanicare. Their compressed bricks are no different then the GH, but those look mighty interesting. I say get it and post pics.

9 sounds nice and odd. but perfectly spread. Do it. Also general rule of thumb is that plants triple in size during flowering. So wait till you are about a quarter of the height you are allowed and make the flip to 12/12.


Edit: i realize that letting it grow to 25% of your grow space before flipping the switch is pushing it to the absolute max. Don't do that. maybe like at around 23%, just to be safe.
I kid. But How High can you raise your lights?

My grow tent is 6.5ft tall and the light is 9 inches, i figure i can only have the light a min of 1ft above the plants so 6.5ft - 1 foot nine inches laves me with about 4.75 feet. The light has an 8" exhaust fan pulling cool air through it so i can get it pretty close to the plants.

I am really excited about those fabric pots! They look totally cool!

Thanks again for all the help, and i think i am going to go with the 3 gallon, just to be safe so they don't run out of space for the roots.


So if i get a three gallon pot how far do you think i should fill the soil up if i am using clones? 3/4, 1/2 i just dont want to run out of space with the roots placing the clone to low into the pot.

~Bc

You're welcome, now bump my thread! XD

Edit: Also let them grow to about 1 foot then. Just to be safe. You can always LST anyways.

I'd say go with 3/4. I know hemp is the fastest growing plant in the world and could destroy the paper industry, but i think they will be fine with the space. Fabric pots dont death circle thing anyways.

I'm glad you are excited about the fabric pots. Makes me feel like I oughta make a DIY Fabric Pot thread.
This is just an image I pulled from the net, but I've made my own fabric pots in many colors. and even used the embroidered felt from the arts and crafts store. But the green with the top folded a quarter down that resembles a green plumbers pipe is by far my favorite.