Hempy medium?

hydrohaz

Active Member
My next run im gonna give hempy a go. What's the best medium or what's the pros and cons of each?

Standard 3:1 perlite vermiculite
Perlite coco mix
Perlite/growstones
Growstones coco

Im around to water daily but would like the option to go 3 days without watering.

For those experienced, what's your opinion on them?
 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
i've done perlite/vermiculite, perlite, hydroton, growstones and hydroton/growstones mix.

all worked great. easiest to reuse is the hyrdroton or growstones.

i built an autofeed for them. been away up to 2 weeks with no issues.

i feed once/day veg and twice/day in bloom
 

hydrohaz

Active Member
i've done perlite/vermiculite, perlite, hydroton, growstones and hydroton/growstones mix.

all worked great. easiest to reuse is the hyrdroton or growstones.

i built an autofeed for them. been away up to 2 weeks with no issues.

i feed once/day veg and twice/day in bloom
How are the growstones compared to perlite? I've read some say it's a bit harsh on the roots. The marketing for them seems great though
 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
How are the growstones compared to perlite? I've read some say it's a bit harsh on the roots. The marketing for them seems great though
some people here have complained about the growstones releasing too much calcium carbonate ( i think) and having bad pH fluctuations. i never had that issue. they are marketed as holding the most air and water of any medium.
 

gr865

Well-Known Member
some people here have complained about the growstones releasing too much calcium carbonate ( i think) and having bad pH fluctuations. i never had that issue. they are marketed as holding the most air and water of any medium.
I cannot see how Growstones can release Calcium Carbonate, they are made from spun glass.
I have used them in the bottom of hempys, mixed with other medium in hempys.
Growing now in straight coco.

GR
 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
I cannot see how Growstones can release Calcium Carbonate
if you check out the website, they use a small % of CaCO3 as a release agent (or something to that effect).

i havent' seen the pH issues but there are a few people here that complained about it.
 

pabloadp

Active Member
i've done perlite/vermiculite, perlite, hydroton, growstones and hydroton/growstones mix.

all worked great. easiest to reuse is the hyrdroton or growstones.

i built an autofeed for them. been away up to 2 weeks with no issues.

i feed once/day veg and twice/day in bloom
Hi rkymtnman, can you show me your autofeed system? I have same feed cycle on mine, and have to travel quite often so would be a great solution. Thanks!
 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
Hi rkymtnman, can you show me your autofeed system? I have same feed cycle on mine, and have to travel quite often so would be a great solution. Thanks!
sorry i don't do pics here but i'll describe it for you. it's not complicated at all.

30 gal trashcan is my res. i have a small water pump in it that has some tubing up the side of the trashcan which acts as a watefall. keeps nutes mixed and aerated.

also, a bigger pump with a DiG 6 site manifold with airline tubing (1/4) that goes out to each plant.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-DIG-6-Outlet-Adjustable-Drip-Manifold-0-20-GPH-Garden-Watering-Irrigation/232511517897?epid=1600343375&hash=item3622c434c9:g:-9EAAOSwuOxZ1FX4

the pump with the manifold is just on a simple digital timer. i set the time so i get some run off out of the hempy. one feed/day in veg, two or three in bloom.

that's it. pretty simple really. the only secret is to find a nutrient mix that will stay pH stable for however long you go away.
make sense? if not, ask away!!
 

pabloadp

Active Member
sorry i don't do pics here but i'll describe it for you. it's not complicated at all.

30 gal trashcan is my res. i have a small water pump in it that has some tubing up the side of the trashcan which acts as a watefall. keeps nutes mixed and aerated.

also, a bigger pump with a DiG 6 site manifold with airline tubing (1/4) that goes out to each plant.

the pump with the manifold is just on a simple digital timer. i set the time so i get some run off out of the hempy. one feed/day in veg, two or three in bloom.

that's it. pretty simple really. the only secret is to find a nutrient mix that will stay pH stable for however long you go away.
make sense? if not, ask away!!
Thanks man for your time, sounds really simple. Just one more question: what do you do with the runoff? Go back to the res or waste? Thanks!
 
Top