World Of Hempy

jela10

jela10

Well-Known Member
stonedream said:
Ok, First time grower here.

I have about a 10" bucket with a 6" pot sitting in the cap of bucket.

The media is aquarium rocks they won't wick well like media made for hydro so i made 4 wicks from an old t-shirt.

I have 4 wicks going from bottom of bucket to top of pot through the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot.

The problem:
I have let about an inch or less of the wick sit in water for over 12 hours and the top of the wick is still dry(i let it come out of the aquarium rocks from the top to test moisture)

the t-shirt wick is about 2" wide and 10-11" long although it curled up on itself so it is not that wide. When i look into the reservoir though, the wick seems to be completely wet.

EDIT: Do you think it is because aquarium rocks are too heavy and it squeezes the water out of the wick that is within media?
It seems the wick that is within the media is moist but the tip coming out of the media is still completely dry... I'm going to add 2 more wicks making it a total of 6 wicks for now.
Would socks work better than a t-shirt?


Any tips?
Click to expand...
I think you are on to something...wicking is enabled by capillary action. If the rocks are choking the wick the capillary density of the material becomes too tight for proper wicking. The rocks may simply be limiting the volume of H2O traveling up. Try rolling wider strips of material for a larger diameter wick and see if that helps. Other materials could make a big improvement too and yes socks may be a better substitute since they are designed to wick away moisture. An elephant sized tampon would be ideal however (LOL).
In my opinion, aquarium rock would be a better media suited for a top drip method, if you can work out a small submersible pump and a dripper hose....or go to a bubbler setup with an airstone that splashes the lower rock section with a netpot supporting your rocks. I too, am into the natural phenomena that power a robust plant growth....that's probably why I wear the hempy hat.
 
S

stonedream

Member
jela10 said:
I think you are on to something...wicking is enabled by capillary action. If the rocks are choking the wick the capillary density of the material becomes too tight for proper wicking. The rocks may simply be limiting the volume of H2O traveling up. Try rolling wider strips of material for a larger diameter wick and see if that helps. Other materials could make a big improvement too and yes socks may be a better substitute since they are designed to wick away moisture. An elephant sized tampon would be ideal however (LOL).
In my opinion, aquarium rock would be a better media suited for a top drip method, if you can work out a small submersible pump and a dripper hose....or go to a bubbler setup with an airstone that splashes the lower rock section with a netpot supporting your rocks. I I too am into the natural phenomena that power a robust plant growth....that's probably why I wear the hempy hat.
Click to expand...

I see, yeah the rocks are way heavy. I was trying to not keep the wicks too rolled up lol, I guess it makes sense to have a bigger diameter. I will try to setup the wick system again and maybe with socks instead... I will do a few tests in a cup to see what is the best material I've got.

I'm set on growing in a LAZY manner so I will try to make this wick work. You're right the aquarium rock seems to be holding no moisture even if I water it daily. I'm thinking of actually mixing the rock media with some cut pieces of cardboard/shirts/socks so it becomes lighter and holds more moisture for wicking.

EDIT: I still haven't modified anything but it seems that the wicks are slowly getting more and more moist (although its been 24hrs+) I guess it does have capillary action but a slow one. I can probably get away with just adding more wicks (like maybe 12 instead of current 6) And maybe watering it manually when it needs more.
 
S

stonedream

Member
WattSaver said:
First a couple of ???.

What is the grow medium in the 6" pot? Soil or more aquarium rock?
Does your 10" deep bucket have a same size opening as the 6" pot above? I guess I'm asking if the bucket supports the pot above.

I've got a couple of options depending on the info, and they have nothing to do with wicks.
Click to expand...

The bucket has nothing but nutrient solution in it, the pot has only aquarium rocks. I've cut a hole in the closing cap of the bucket and the pot is resting completely in it.
 
WattSaver

WattSaver

Well-Known Member
stonedream said:
I see, yeah the rocks are way heavy. I was trying to not keep the wicks too rolled up lol, I guess it makes sense to have a bigger diameter. I will try to setup the wick system again and maybe with socks instead... I will do a few tests in a cup to see what is the best material I've got.

I'm set on growing in a LAZY manner so I will try to make this wick work. You're right the aquarium rock seems to be holding no moisture even if I water it daily. I'm thinking of actually mixing the rock media with some cut pieces of cardboard/shirts/socks so it becomes lighter and holds more moisture for wicking.

EDIT: I still haven't modified anything but it seems that the wicks are slowly getting more and more moist (although its been 24hrs+) I guess it does have capillary action but a slow one. I can probably get away with just adding more wicks (like maybe 12 instead of current 6) And maybe watering it manually when it needs more.
Click to expand...
Well I can see what you are trying to achieve. Use a larger rez to minimize maintenance and use wicks to transfer water/nutes without pumps. And you need to work with the materials you have on hand. I like the concept.

But instead of multiple wicks why not get a tray/bowl/etc that when filled will keep the bottom inch or 2 submerged in nute water? Something along the line that "ineverveg" has done. Once your roots hit the water table you will only have to water when the rez depletes. I just don't think that wicks made out of cloth materials can keep up with the growth you are expecting.

Last thought; I have never tried what you are doing so I may be way way way off base, so please feel free to prove me wrong.
 
S

stonedream

Member
WattSaver said:
Well I can see what you are trying to achieve. Use a larger rez to minimize maintenance and use wicks to transfer water/nutes without pumps. And you need to work with the materials you have on hand. I like the concept.

But instead of multiple wicks why not get a tray/bowl/etc that when filled will keep the bottom inch or 2 submerged in nute water? Something along the line that "ineverveg" has done. Once your roots hit the water table you will only have to water when the rez depletes. I just don't think that wicks made out of cloth materials can keep up with the growth you are expecting.

Last thought; I have never tried what you are doing so I may be way way way off base, so please feel free to prove me wrong.
Click to expand...
From what I've been reading, wicking system work for watering when people are away for a long time(like 1 or more week), but i don't have a good medium for it (like vermiculite/perlite/lavarock). So even if the bottom roots touch the solution once the plant grows, I'll need whicks to moisten the upper rocks. I'm thinking if I add many whicks it could be considered part of the media lol. like 25% whicks 75% rocks lol.

EDIT:
clear concept of what I'm trying to do. Would a system like this provide enough water for a fully grown cannabis plant?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Wick-Based-Hydroponics/
 
Rusty Shakelford

Rusty Shakelford

Well-Known Member
WattSaver said:
I really like the bulb and the benefit of an open un-vented hood. The price dropped here in the states. I can now pick em up for $36/ea. I just wish that Phillips would make a 600 or 1000w model.
Click to expand...
Based on the discussions here, I looked up the CMH bulbs, and purchased a Phillips 400w one yesterday off Amazon. :hump:
 
WattSaver

WattSaver

Well-Known Member
stonedream said:
From what I've been reading, wicking system work for watering when people are away for a long time(like 1 or more week), but i don't have a good medium for it (like vermiculite/perlite/lavarock). So even if the bottom roots touch the solution once the plant grows, I'll need whicks to moisten the upper rocks. I'm thinking if I add many whicks it could be considered part of the media lol. like 25% whicks 75% rocks lol.

EDIT:
clear concept of what I'm trying to do. Would a system like this provide enough water for a fully grown cannabis plant?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Wick-Based-Hydroponics/
Click to expand...
Once the roots get down into the rez they will pull enough moisture for itself through the gravel. As long as the medium isn't too deep. So I don't really see a need for wicks if you can flood the bottom inch or 2 of your pot.

I've found a lot of neat things at instructables before. Now as far as feeding a fast growing MJ plant, I think you'd need a much better wicking system than the one used in the article. Say you are feeding a qt of water every other day. Thats 16oz/day, at the wicking rate he mentioned of 1ml/hr/wick - with 4 wicks it would take almost 5 days to move 16oz.
 
Moebius

Moebius

Well-Known Member
Shivaskunk said:
Where is mobius
Click to expand...
Yah hoo! ... Ive borrowed a laptop, Before checking my emails, downloading movies or browsing I had to check up on my hempy buddies. HELLO EVERYONE! Great work y'all got going on, it'll take me a bit to catch up. Just got this lappie till Friday but H.P will send my replacement next week since I'm warrantied. I'll update W.O.H on my grow tomorrow, got some nice bud. I harvested a few early for some hash and some tasty lemon bud so only have about 20 hempies + my regular soil pants. peace
 
WattSaver

WattSaver

Well-Known Member
A little update for WOH. The plants seem to be recovering from improper coco buffer, even the neon girl is looking much better, not fully recovered but better. Other than the buffer issue the coco is preforming really well. I logged 11" of growth in the 1st 5days 12/12. I'll be doing some training this weekend.MT 002riu.jpgMT 003riu.jpg
The next growMT 008riu.jpg
Some training from the last growG4 finish 002riu.jpgG4 finish 003riu.jpg
 
Moebius

Moebius

Well-Known Member
WattSaver said:
A little update for WOH. The plants seem to be recovering from improper coco buffer, even the neon girl is looking much better, not fully recovered but better. Other than the buffer issue the coco is preforming really well. I logged 11" of growth in the 1st 5days 12/12. I'll be doing some training this weekend.View attachment 2416329View attachment 2416330 The next growView attachment 2416331 Some training from the last growView attachment 2416332View attachment 2416333
Click to expand...
Glad to see the recovery so soon. I too have a Ca/Mg def. Some of the leaves on my soil plants are almost white. Tried Epsom, it helped a bit. I'll be getting some CalMag tomorrow after seeing how much better yours are now.
 
WattSaver

WattSaver

Well-Known Member
Moebius said:
Glad to see the recovery so soon. I too have a Ca/Mg def. Some of the leaves on my soil plants are almost white. Tried Epsom, it helped a bit. I'll be getting some CalMag tomorrow after seeing how much better yours are now.
Click to expand...
Tonight is water time, all but the neon girl will get 5ml/gal of cal-mag. Miss neon will get 10ml/gal one more time. Hopefully this will get the proper green color back into the new growth, and the purple out of the leaf stems.
 
ineverveg

ineverveg

Active Member
day 34 and so far i love the hempy method, cant wait to get it dialed in, i decided to put an airstone in the res,it cant do no harm


hey moebius glad to see you back!
 
S

stonedream

Member
WattSaver said:
Once the roots get down into the rez they will pull enough moisture for itself through the gravel. As long as the medium isn't too deep. So I don't really see a need for wicks if you can flood the bottom inch or 2 of your pot.

I've found a lot of neat things at instructables before. Now as far as feeding a fast growing MJ plant, I think you'd need a much better wicking system than the one used in the article. Say you are feeding a qt of water every other day. Thats 16oz/day, at the wicking rate he mentioned of 1ml/hr/wick - with 4 wicks it would take almost 5 days to move 16oz.
Click to expand...

Ok I see thank you for the numbers clarifies it for me. I'm going to do as you said I guess i just need to wait for the roots to grow
 
smoothness

smoothness

Active Member
how many of the slh hermied? i have like 5 growing now. hope none of them hermie on me. question. if i get clones from a plant that ends up hermie-ing before it is in flower then does that mean the clones from the plant that eventually hermied will be hermies too?
 
drdank50

drdank50

Well-Known Member
I'm definitely having some cal/mag issues too. Question, how do you guys get a correct calibration of the ph pen? So you pour some calibration solution in a glass shot glass? The rubber top to mine had some previous algae in it and tried soaking in a mild bleach solution, but can't get it all. I keep some in there still so the diode doesn't dry out. Just curious how you guys handle this.Mobius, glad to see you are back!
 
Rusty Shakelford

Rusty Shakelford

Well-Known Member
drdank50 said:
I'm definitely having some cal/mag issues too. Question, how do you guys get a correct calibration of the ph pen? So you pour some calibration solution in a glass shot glass? The rubber top to mine had some previous algae in it and tried soaking in a mild bleach solution, but can't get it all. I keep some in there still so the diode doesn't dry out. Just curious how you guys handle this.Mobius, glad to see you are back!
Click to expand...
I dont think a bleach solution is the best way to store your meter. Most people store them in calibration solution, as I did, until I was given some advice, so I purchase PH Storage Solution, and it not only cleaned my diode, but brought a pen that I though was dead, BACK TO LIFE. Not saying this will work for your pen, but I recommend a decent pen stored in Storage solution, then calibrate it once a week with your 7.0 & 4.0 solutions.
 
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