Soil Grow - Pots or a Bed?

[neceros]

I wasn't sure how to search for this. Sorry.

I would like to do a bed grow instead of using potters. The trick, though, is that I most likely will be using clones not seeds. Is it still feasible?

Also, I'd like to hear what soil bed grows you guys have done, and if there is anything vastly different and hidden that I should be aware about.

Last, I like the idea I heard about using 2x6s and just using a 6" basin for the soil. I think this is sufficient. I will have around 10-15 plants, so I think a 3' x 3' should suffice... in my mind.


Thanks!

[bigtopsfinn]

With clones from the same mother the bed is possible. Sorry no experience with spacing, size or number of plants. The problems with beds are
1) Plants that have deficiencies or over-fert problems are harder to fix
2) Tough to get an even canopy since the plants closest to the light will grow the best, and might even shade out the plants on the side.

With clones you can easily finish in 3 gal containers. Get square containers which will fit more plants in that space and give you more flexibility throughout the grow. Just my :twocents:

Happy growing :jointsmile:

[neceros]

Thanks for the reply. I was also worried about the cannopy. Perhaps a tracked light.

[bigtopsfinn]

Thanks for the reply. I was also worried about the cannopy. Perhaps a tracked light.

Sure either that or some supplemental CFL's/fluoros :thumbsup:

[bobbyf123]

Beds are cool but for better control of your garden go with pots. You're pretty much stuck with a bed garden's design as you don't want to be moving your plants around simply because you realize down the road that your spacing isn't adequate. More importantly is your lighting needs are fixed, unless unlike me, you have an unlimited source of money and can supplement. If money is an obstacle then use pots so that you can rotate your plants. What I mean by this is I take my plants on the right side of my light and switch with the plants on the left and the plants in the back are switched with the plants in the front. This way all receive the best "primary light" from my light source. I grow 8 plants in a 4' x 4' area with a border of 9" around my plants, with my walls, ceiling and floor painted flat white. I took a 3/4 sheet of plywood with casters (wheels) attached to facilitate pulliing my entire grow area out for watering and movement of the plants. Bottom line is that beds are too restricted much more control with pots. My two cents worth.

[neceros]

Good to hear. Thanks!

[soiljunkie]

if you are new to growing, then pots are def the way to go. I recently switched to beds and couldnt be happier.

the pots are def more versatile. you can move them, eliminate one if its sick, feed differently, and all th other advantages that these other guys mentioned.

in saying that, there is no substitutue for the extra root space a bed provides. Cannabis roots are much more inclined to grow horizontally that vertically. Not to mention, alot of strains dont want to branch out any further than the roots can reach out horizontally.

i built my beds according to Soma's beds. W/ a layer of hyroton at bottom w/ pvc pipes in corners to create layer of air at bottom. They are describes in detail in his organic gardening book.

As an organic gardener of the last few years, the beds have grown the best medicine i have grown.

[khyberkitsune]

Cannabis roots are much more inclined to grow horizontally that vertically.

This is not true. In fact Jack Herer advocated using cannabis for it's deep-rooting nature to help not only stop soil erosion but to also provide usable organic matter further down into the soil after the typical harvest of the stalks above-ground.