Doc Bud's thoughts on root space: Pounds for ounces

Doc Bud;3188397 said:

nismo12;3188381 said:

1 cu/ft is 6.4 gallons dry weight. I didn't know the 2 cu/ft promix was compressed, I thought it was loose. I know the 3.8 bale is compressed and is 7 cu/ft when loose. But with outdoor growing I was told that a minimum of 20 gallons is needed to reach potential.

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The problems with small containers outside:

1. The roots heat up, causing unhappy microbes and possibly helping pathogens grow.
2. there isn't enough root mass to keep up with the plant's metabolism.

the solution to both is a larger container! 20 gallons is too small, IMO.

A 3'x3'x18" bed is about the minimum I'd go for 1 single plant. If you want to reach potential, a 10'x10'x36" bed will do the trick. The roots won't fill it to the edge and that much soil won't heat up much, especially if it's on the ground or in the ground.

Done properly, we can substitute pounds for ounces, outdoors for indoors.

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