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- #1,041
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
Just pondering.i thouht perhaps the perlite or vermiculite at the bortom would allow good drainage and and save a bit of soil. I am also going to try 5 gal. air pots. I just got 4 r 60$
Clrwatrtom's 1st Grow
- Thread starter clrwatrtom
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Why was my reaction assss well
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- #1,043
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
Is asss as in assshole? 
Emilya Green
Well-Known Member
Ah... that's where I figured you were going with this. Please let me dispel another myth.
We now know that the practice of adding rocks or other inert material at the bottom of the container does not aid in drainage. Normal soil has very carefully adjusted flow through and absorption rates and does not need any extra help in allowing excess water (that which can not be held by the soil) to flow through and drain out of the bottom simply because gravity demands that it must do so. Vermiculite and coco are very absorptive and will hold a lot of water, and because of their nature, absolutely will not allow drainage. The water absorbed in those mediums will be captured and the bottom of your container will always be wet. A similar thing happens with perlite or rocks in the bottom of the container. Because of the added surface area, a whole lot more of the bottom is going to be wet, and due to capillary action between the roots, the sides and the bottom of the container and now the surface of all this extra material in the bottom, it too will remain wet a lot longer than just plain soil would do... it actually again keeps the bottom wet, and does not help drainage at all. There is no need to "save a bit of soil." Soil is good, and what our roots crave, and since the bottom feeder roots are so important, we put our best soil, compost etc, in the bottom layers of the container. Replacing that good nutritious soil with something inert simply takes away a resource that could have been available to those lower roots. Even in Hempy, where we purposely create a reservoir in the bottom of the container of inert material, we then feed that bottom layer every time we water so that the lower roots get what they need, and this method then is superior to what you are proposing because of its ability to feed the plant, with no need for drainage.
It is always tricky to add bits and parts of one method to another and still make things work as they should.
Now I like the air pot idea... those work well. But please don't attempt to adjust the science by adding a layer of something in the bottom... Just let the pots do what they do.
We now know that the practice of adding rocks or other inert material at the bottom of the container does not aid in drainage. Normal soil has very carefully adjusted flow through and absorption rates and does not need any extra help in allowing excess water (that which can not be held by the soil) to flow through and drain out of the bottom simply because gravity demands that it must do so. Vermiculite and coco are very absorptive and will hold a lot of water, and because of their nature, absolutely will not allow drainage. The water absorbed in those mediums will be captured and the bottom of your container will always be wet. A similar thing happens with perlite or rocks in the bottom of the container. Because of the added surface area, a whole lot more of the bottom is going to be wet, and due to capillary action between the roots, the sides and the bottom of the container and now the surface of all this extra material in the bottom, it too will remain wet a lot longer than just plain soil would do... it actually again keeps the bottom wet, and does not help drainage at all. There is no need to "save a bit of soil." Soil is good, and what our roots crave, and since the bottom feeder roots are so important, we put our best soil, compost etc, in the bottom layers of the container. Replacing that good nutritious soil with something inert simply takes away a resource that could have been available to those lower roots. Even in Hempy, where we purposely create a reservoir in the bottom of the container of inert material, we then feed that bottom layer every time we water so that the lower roots get what they need, and this method then is superior to what you are proposing because of its ability to feed the plant, with no need for drainage.
It is always tricky to add bits and parts of one method to another and still make things work as they should.
Now I like the air pot idea... those work well. But please don't attempt to adjust the science by adding a layer of something in the bottom... Just let the pots do what they do.
Asssss in asIs asss as in assshole?
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- #1,046
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
Thanks @Emilya. You make things understandable for an old guy like me.
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- #1,047
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
Good afternoon to all, I just left the ladies after administering another gallon and a half a terp water that the girls shared. Now I am having an Evans and I'm having some Grand Daddy Purple concentrate from the local dispensary. It's been a long day. Love to all 
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- #1,048
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
@Emilya thank you for one of the most concise explanations that i have ever read. From now on i promise to quit trying to reinvent the wheel. From here on out before i display my ignorance, I will p.m. you with my question. Love you Emily you're wonderful.
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- #1,049
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
Just trying to fit in, learn, help if i can, and try ro be engagable in life. If i get lucky i might get a chuckle or an eyeroll. That too is a part of the fun here. I love you all even if you're not terribly fond o f me.
tom
Lol
As my Father used to say
I'm not Prejudice.....I hate everyone
Dang Greeks I tell ya
Lol
As my Father used to say
I'm not Prejudice.....I hate everyone
Dang Greeks I tell ya
Lol
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- #1,051
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
Good evening to all, after closing up the tent, the girls are resting with dim light after consuming another three gallons of water today. that seems to be the number for these four girls.
Plants are looking fantastic Tom!
The new camera is really helping (thanks Em).
That auto is foxtailing like crazy. You are about to experience some primo homegrown meds there sir.
The new camera is really helping (thanks Em).
That auto is foxtailing like crazy. You are about to experience some primo homegrown meds there sir.
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- #1,053
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
We are peeps bra. Im almost 62 and afu in my hearing and balance. Thc and cbd help me cope with my disability, and I've developed quite a love for the cultivation of the green Bud that makes us stupid.
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- #1,054
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
It's been a long long day. I have another two gallons of nutes prepped for the photos and I've got a gallon of turp water preppeded for the autos. Lots of labor. Shaking 16 lbs of water to prep 3 gallons is more workout than i want.
Sätkis
Well-Known Member
I was just thinking that its a handfull to do that kinda watering.. bet it makes a difference. Yes u can get away with just soaking the plants once a day and get a decent harvest (atleast i do with coco). Keep doing your thing, plants are loving it! Great job!!
Put a paddle in a battery drill for mixing.
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- #1,057
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
I have one of those Dick. I'll need a bigass funnel but ill figure it out. What I really would like to find is a paint shaker from a commercial paint store.
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- #1,058
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
Good morning
The ladies just finished their morning feeding and watering. It's looking and smelling great.
The ladies just finished their morning feeding and watering. It's looking and smelling great.
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- #1,059
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
Wow!
I just got done untangling my scrog netting that arrived from eBay. It's time for a fatty and a cup of coffee.
I just got done untangling my scrog netting that arrived from eBay. It's time for a fatty and a cup of coffee.
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- #1,060
clrwatrtom
Well-Known Member
It's time to go in and feed the girls.
