Bottom stopper in Hempy

Here is what I have done to my Hempy buckets.

3.5 gallon bucket, now at 75/25% Perlite/Vermulite, with the overflow @ 3.5 inches from base and a drain plug (3/4 x 1") at the base of the bucket.

The drain plug is used during veg at one flush per 2 to 3 feeds.

1. Feed, leave plug in and let drain through the over flow hole (1/2"+) for 30% plus.
2. Flush, leave plug in and plug the overflow, fill with pH adjusted water, let sit for X amount of time, I usually let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
3. Pull plug and let drain completely, then let sit for one to two hours.
4 Insert plug and fill again with pH adjusted water to overflow 30% plus.
5. Begin cycle again, Feed, Flush, Feed, etc.

When feeding I just make sure that when I pull the base plug that it is dry, look inside and monitor the root system. If not dry wait for another 12 to 24 hours to feed.

I will be going to 2 gallon Hempy's on next grow. I have a mother in a 2 gal. now. Have gone to 100% rinse and re-rinsed Perlite. Using Home Depot 2.5 cuft Perlite, way many fines.

I am also using the Lucas Formula, for Maxibloom, 7 grams per gallon. Love it and will continue to use it.

I am open to all suggestion and conversation, just want to make it better and simple.

GR

If this does not make sense, I take the 5th!

Interesting idea, but I think it's a bit over complicated. I've been doing Maxibloom hempy for the last several years and haven't had problems with salt buildup or any real lockouts. Hell I just try for a 20-30% runoff once a week, but normally I will feed them till I get a slight trickle from the drain hole. The beauty of hempy is that you don't really have to wait for it to dry out completely before feeding again. There isn't much of a chance of overwatering especially in full veg or flowering. I've got in the routine of topping mine off every day and have done so for years.

2. Flush, leave plug in and plug the overflow, fill with pH adjusted water, let sit for X amount of time, I usually let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.

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If you do go this route you don't have to let it sit. just pour it straight through and most of the salts will come with it.

gr, I did three 75/25 pv grows before switching to coco. I was using simple powder nutes as well. My question is why are you flushing regularly? You are already doing a 30% run-off. That is effectively flushing every time you feed. I always fed with every water which was normally everyday or every other day with only a slight (5-10%) run off. Didn't have a problem with nute build up in the buckets.

Hey guys, now that I am in 12/12 I will not flush again until just before harvest.

What I like best about fill and drain is that when I drain it pulls O2 into the grow medium. I am not sure if it is doing anything special to help the plants but it just makes sense to me. I also believe that any time you flush the medium it is a good thing. Even though when you feed as you say it does wash the system to some degree, but we are using a nute that is salt based. Salt/Roots, not a good thing, so flushing cannot hurt. It is like setting your house plants out in the rain, they will perk up big time.

It is cool to remove the stopper before I feed/water and observe the roots that I can see through the 3/4" drain hole.

Well I need to get to work, cya. Here's a couple of pictures.

GR

That wreath is LST artwork. Looks like it took a lot of time and care. Kudos.

gr865,
I know where that idea came from! I was wondering if anyone would actually try it. Good for you...

But when you do the flush thing...never leave the roots underwater for that long. 15 to 20 minutes maximum. Anything longer then 30 minutes and you risk root damage.
JD

JohnDee said:

gr865,
I know where that idea came from! I was wondering if anyone would actually try it. Good for you...

But when you do the flush thing...never leave the roots underwater for that long. 15 to 20 minutes maximum. Anything longer then 30 minutes and you risk root damage.
JD

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Thanks John, I never leave them that long under soak. When I posted that I had done that one time thought it was cool. Now I will check the roots through the drain hole, then fill and soak maybe 10 to 15 min max. How ever long it take to prep and smoke a large bowl, LOL. I Then drain and let it sit open for another bowl, then I plug and fill to 30% run off.

Right now, I am in 12/12 so I am not flushing until end of grow. I am using it to check out the roots between feedings. I also have change my routine, got lazy, figured I did not need to do it as much.

I do like the drain if only for the way it draws O2 into the rootzone.

And I don't know where the idea came from, I am sure I was not the first to think of this.

GR