An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
Ok, to set this up. As most do, I feed, water, feed, water, etc. And on feed days, once in a while, time would limit me, and I would not always be able to siphon out all of the runoff. The next day, the saucers would be dry as a bone. That evolved into doing it on purpose with a measured amount (half way full).
So I decided one day to try a modified version of that. Problem one: standing water. Added a pump and a mist stone or three. I wanted to try a 2ft flexible misting tube, but those start around $10 a piece. However, had bought a 6-pack of mist stones and a few T joints for under $4. I figure the upward flow of bubbles would be enough to move the little amount of water sufficiently. I also positioned the bubblers right next to the holes in the planter bucket to help get some bubbles in the soil directly. The aerated water is a secondary delivery method for Oxygen. If you do research on aeroponics, you will find that many people agree that cannabis production potential is a balance between oxygen and nutrients. Hydroponics representing the heavy nute limited oxygen delivery while aeroponics focuses on high oxygen and limited nutes.
Side note - I keep my water in a 5 gal jug and keep the air running through it all the time to keep the water as saturated as possible.
Problem two: We all know runoff water is not necessarily the balanced mix we initially feed the plant. The ph is changed, the ppm changes, some nutes get used up quicker than others, some nutes stick to the soil better than others, some are soluble and others and not.
Fix: I simply top hand-fed my plants until the very first trickle of overflow. I let the plant/soil soak up and saturate. I start doing the same thing to my other two plants. Then going back to the first plant I fill the fresh mix of feed directly into the bucket. A slightly deeper bucket that I used to replace the over flow saucers. This way, fresh nute water is fed on top and from the bottom. The plant will soak up the "reservoir" over time. But now I can extend that time by a day or two.
Now, as I said, the days the plants are exposed to the nutrient rich water is increased. And naturally when I give the plants just straight water [and cal-mag], the overflow is diligently siphoned and I "till" the top half inch of soil to help promote evaporation.
All of these may seem like small additions. But isn't the simple fact that we give nutrients and have schedules and well managed environments evidence enough that we want to push our plants genetics to the maximum potential. And they all add up to a lot. Another measure I take is to move leaves into the optimal position to allow the most light penetration.
I thought to myself, why is soil better? Or, why is hydroponics better? Of course, some say soil "tastes" better. And almost all would agree that hydro produces more. Potency, however, is to much of an argument to use as one of my own. I wanted to combine the idea of increasing the plants' exposure to nutrients while maintaining proper nutrient delivery.
Also, keep in mind that my situation allows me to tend to the plants in this detail. I only have 4 plants going right now and this will last me about a half a year. I grow for personal only.
Anyway, here is a link to a video I uploaded which shows the idea. Now, the way my camera works, when I snap pics, it records a few seconds before, so you will not get any narrating. Instead, there is some info in the description and the comments.
Bubblers in over flow - SOIL GROW - read description for details - YouTube
In the comments, I wrote a short update on day 54 which was 3 days after video was taken.
Sorry for the long read. for those that get this far, thanks for listening. If anyone has any input, I make my decisions on how I grow based on many sources and deciding for myself which points I agree with, as a lot of people do to customize their grow to their needs and desires. (I am going to paste this in another forum, so if you see it directly copied it is because I want to share my experience and I'm medicated and lazy to retype or even summarize after this).
An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
Update day 54 of flower - buckets are dry as a bone. Soil looks perfectly moist. No change in any of the leaves. I have at least one cola about 6-7 inches from a 400 watt hps bulb on full blast and there is no stress to be seen. I do have some leaves trying to aspirate more rapidly, but that is because my thermo was in an area that gave me mid temps. I have since moved it to an area that reads the hottest area the plants are exposed to, and 7 inches from the light it is 81deg.
Here is a minimally informational video of 3 days after the top/bottom delivery method.
Day 54 of flower - 3 days after top and bottom delivery feeding - YouTube
An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
interesting stuff. ill be intersted in the final outcome.
An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
The lack of damage at 7 inches to a light is because of all the convection have going on, with lots of good wind being made. This is a good method. It's like using two buckets in hydro, one inside the other with airlines pumping O2 to the root zone. Only difference is you have soil holding water and nutes, and don't cycle you water around at all. Don't need to. Puts oxygen in the water, gets taken up by dry soil as needed. You could go away for a few days and things would be fine.
An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
Day 55 - Noticing hardy growth specifically in the mid and lower sections of the colas. Buds are swelling and new calyxes are growing. I know it is only opinion, but I see more growth last night than individual days past.
Indoor Grow room Day 55 of Flower 400watt hps in custom closet - YouTube
Edit: the reservoir bucket has been dry for one and a half days now. But the soil is still VERY moist with feed water. Took out the bubbler, will try this method again next nutrient feed round.n: Additional information
An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
Hello and the start of another grow. Full implantation of the hydro reservoir with soil "Wick" system.
HydroSoil Hybrid - Cannibis Grow Closet Set Up - YouTube
An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
interesting, please keep the updates coming :)
An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
so far 1.5 weeks into flower and I have had to refill 15 gallons of nutrient water in total. I have had well over one foot of growth. I took this pic after only 7 days of flowering.
Day 1
Attachment 291790
Day 7
Attachment 291791
An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
I have decided to take out the reservoir and just keep filling the buckets. I plan to use slightly taller buckets to hold a little more water. But then I can take the upside down bucket out and give myself another 4-5 inches of growing room. (big smiles!)
An idea worth testing? Of Course - aerating soil water, just read it :)
