How long to run drip system

[sandman1982]

I have a homebuilt drip system. It consists of a large rubbermade with holes cut in the lid for 8 net pots. There is a submerged fountain pump inside the rubbermade that pumps up to each of the pots. How long should I run this mother? Right now it is runnning for 15 minutes every hour. Keep in mind that I am limited to only 15+ minute intervals as thats all my timer allows. Right now the plants are pretty small.

[Zandor]

It depends on the strain and the grow medium you are using.

With grow rocks or lava rocks in that type of setup you can run a drip 24/7. If you are using Rockwool then you need to cycle the water or the root ball can get soaked and overwatered.

Not all strains can take 24/7 drip and some can. That is another factor to consider.

[sandman1982]

oh yea, sorry. The medium is Grodan Growcubes (the really small little cubes, filled up the pot). So what kind of schedule do you recomend? 15 min every 2 or 3 hours?

[Zandor]

You can start with 15 on every 2 hours but as it gets bigger you may need to increase the nutrients availably to the plant

[Garden Knowm]

I agree with everything ZANDOR said...

Be very careful you do not overwater rockwool cubes...

: )

[sandman1982]

thanks guys.

[Garden Knowm]

Hydroton lava rocks can and usually require 24/7 drip.. they hold zero moisture...

I would avoid using the grodan tiny cubes.. unless you are running a HOT room with 1000 watt + HID's

: )

[Zandor]

damn i keep looking and bammmm...here it is...answers everywhere...lol..ok zandor i take it u run drip 24/7 in grow rocks..lol...tyty...

Yes I do. I will even give you a hint to clean the grow rocks inbetween grows too.

You can buy what is called a sweater laundry bag. They make a few different styles. The one you are looking for has a large mesh but small enough the rocks will not fall out but the old roots and plant matter will pass through them. They cost about 2-4 bucks at wally world.

After you get one of those you can clean your grow rocks in the dishwasher. :dance:

Happy growing :thumbsup:

[katacus]

fine idea zandor, thanks:)