vtwin906
Well-Known Member
<returns salute> You have achieved a hempy victory in the face of extreme hardship. Let the good times roll.
<returns salute> You have achieved a hempy victory in the face of extreme hardship. Let the good times roll.
Buck5050
Well-Known Member
Has any of you veterans tried to implement blumat watering system?
LOL, what a coincidence! It’s something I’m experimenting with right now.
I’ve already proven that, by pulling down the hempy reservoir with a wick (since there’s no plant), it puts enough suction on the Blumat cone (in 100% perlite) to draw down the extension reservoir (second to last photo - water level was at top blue line 38 hours earlier)
At least, with plain, soft water (low alkalinity). Now I ‘m testing the ability to transmit nutrient water (600ppm of MegaCrop - in last photo) through the clay cone.
I’ll keep the group apprised of my findings.
I’ve already proven that, by pulling down the hempy reservoir with a wick (since there’s no plant), it puts enough suction on the Blumat cone (in 100% perlite) to draw down the extension reservoir (second to last photo - water level was at top blue line 38 hours earlier)
At least, with plain, soft water (low alkalinity). Now I ‘m testing the ability to transmit nutrient water (600ppm of MegaCrop - in last photo) through the clay cone.
I’ll keep the group apprised of my findings.
Very cool indeedLOL, what a coincidence! It’s something I’m experimenting with right now.
I’ve already proven that, by pulling down the hempy reservoir with a wick (since there’s no plant), it puts enough suction on the Blumat cone (in 100% perlite) to draw down the extension reservoir.
At least, with plain, soft water (low alkalinity). Now I ‘m testing the ability to transmit nutrient water (600ppm of MegaCrop - in last photo) through the clay cone.
I’ll keep the group apprised of my findings.
So would it Serv as an auto water system for constant feed?????
That’s the test!
I'll follow for sure
Nice job!!!!
Nice job!!!!
ph creep, one direction or the other, would be one issue i can see with those blumat things. hempy is susceptible to ph fluctuation more than soil is. my ph does not stay stable for too long in a res or bottle situation.
that said i have a couple of those things floating around from my soil days. used them as a stop gap measure if leaving for a few days when no one else could tend to the plants. interested to see if they are effective in hempy in the same manner. the ones i have are 20 yrs old.
that said i have a couple of those things floating around from my soil days. used them as a stop gap measure if leaving for a few days when no one else could tend to the plants. interested to see if they are effective in hempy in the same manner. the ones i have are 20 yrs old.
Yeah, I’ll be checking the pH drift also. Started at 5.6
Buck5050
Well-Known Member
I am skeptical at best. I want them to work but don't think bluemats could clear the salts out the res and replenish like normal hempy watering. I believe mixing in vermiculite could mimic the consistency that the bluemats are intended for.
I have been watching some grows in living soil with them and it's very complete watering method in that medium. They are not the cheapest devices to buy if setting up an auto watering system, but the simplicity of it all is very appealing.
@FelipeBlu Definitely keep us posted!
I have been watching some grows in living soil with them and it's very complete watering method in that medium. They are not the cheapest devices to buy if setting up an auto watering system, but the simplicity of it all is very appealing.
@FelipeBlu Definitely keep us posted!
I’m not really interested in turning the successful hempy design into a hybrid system with an external reservoir for permanent. This is only my attempt to address the challenge I am having working out of town so much this year, and wanting to grow anyway. If the clay cone won’t transmit the dissolved nutrients, I’ll try it by feeding the hose directly through the perlite into the reservoir.
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Agreed the mix would be for a low humidity environment such as winter grows in the Far North ..... In a container with >1ft of medium, you might also layer pure perlite up to the drain hole, then a 3" layer of mixed perlite w/vermiculite, then fill with perlite, such that it can be subsidized for some wicking from the perlite-mix layer....
I've grown as far north as Pittsburgh, and I'm now growing in the same basic region as Tead. All in perlite, with no problems at all with wicking or humidity concerns. Watering every other day eliminates any concerns in pH fluctuations, IMO and experience.
It's really easy to overthink hempy. Strive for simplicity and have faith it'll work. Well... it works for me.
Dry, as in 30% or less, invites pests. Worth remembering.
Excellent!
I think you'll be pleased with how well they fit. I grow in a 27"x27"x63, and the extra space your has would have made my recent overcrowded tent easier to bear. I find hempy grows big-ass plants and two in my tent are the limit with this much power behind them. Good genetics, great lighting, excellent nutrients, and a grow buddy as talented as BrixNewb willing to take over while you travel makes for monster plants.
Carnival's in about 2.5 gallons of perlite, and DDA11 is in 1 gallon.
A thought....they're gonna get bigger than you expect. Isn't that always the way? Lol! What are your plans for that?
here's a good morning shot of the jungle taken last night
that is all headquarters.... (salutes)
Good morning hempy darlings.
Wonderful work.
As will many of us. @FelipeBlu, impressive job and documentation, and thank you for taking the initiative. Now we'll know.
Hempy may be more susceptible to the creep, but watering ever other day removes any dangers that might create. I've let youngins go as long as 4-5 days with no problems at all. That can't all be explained by cosmic whimsy.
The water's not sitting there waiting in that reservoir, it's steadily being wicked up by the perlite, and the roots are sucking it off the perlite as fast as they can. Hell, I barely flush when I drench. Most times it's just until I get any stream out. They're usually bone dry or close to it.
Hempy is successful in our gardens because it's so easy.
I’m not really interested in turning the successful hempy design into a hybrid system with an external reservoir for permanent. This is only my attempt to address the challenge I am having working out of town so much this year, and wanting to grow anyway. If the clay cone won’t transmit the dissolved nutrients, I’ll try it by feeding the hose directly through the perlite into the reservoir.
Good luck. I know there's a way, and you're a persistently creative man on a mission to make his life flow. My money's on you. You're turning out to be a valuable asset to this adventure Felipe.
I've gotten Brix excited about hempy, and he's just transplanted a Devil's Carnival into a 5-gallon pot.
The man doesn't know how to grow small.
It's a thrill to be resting in his shadow while I wait for placement. 
Me too.
One of the important parts of a hempy grow is the flush. This watering system provides for no flush... just a constant drip.
I suspect an end to the experiment will show some unhealthiness in the root zone.
Love workin outside the lines tho.... go @FelipeBlu go! There are too many tires around here for me to kick by myself. I can't try/test every idea.
He's gonna need to double his head room. The 5gals format really has the potential to grow trees. Mine have become top-heavy enough to give me stability challenges.
vtwin906
Well-Known Member
I've grown as far north as Pittsburgh, and I'm now growing in the same basic region as Tead. All in perlite, with no problems at all with wicking or humidity concerns. Watering every other day eliminates any concerns in pH fluctuations, IMO and experience.
Hempy may be more susceptible to the creep, but watering ever other day removes any dangers that might create. I've let youngins go as long as 4-5 days with no problems at all. That can't all be explained by cosmic whimsy.
Hell, I barely flush when I drench. Most times it's just until I get any stream out. They're usually bone dry or close to it.
Thanks for the reminders Sue, it is all making sense to me now. I am going to abandon the vermiculite going forward, the little humidifier I got does a great job as far as the humidity concerns I had.
The good news is that Curly is a girl!! 29 Days ago the seed was dropped in water for a soaking .... she was probably showing yesterday but I didn't even look. Her sibling is doing very well, as is the other regular F2 photo period step-sibling. That one is just for some practice lst under the big light until size become an issue here, I have no way to take that one to maturity. Both these seeds are under a single $9 5000K 23 watt LED @2600 lumens that is providing 32000 lux when 3" above the plants .... according to the Android lux app I downloaded....
The lights in the pic are raised a bit for the picture.... will be setting up the King 1000 today.
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It’s nice you have a friend to fall back on. Lol! Not a luxury many share. I fall into a special class, finding myself sharing living space in the home of a talented grower with excellent equipment.
Nice genetic choices buckaroo! I’m not at all surprised at the results you’re getting with the 50 Watt bulbs. My first grow was a flurry of 24 Watt CFLs that pumped major power into my plants. I could get them within 1.5” of the buds. It was a great show. Lol!
Nice genetic choices buckaroo!
I’m not at all surprised at the results you’re getting with the 50 Watt bulbs. My first grow was a flurry of 24 Watt CFLs that pumped major power into my plants. I could get them within 1.5” of the buds. It was a great show. Lol!- Thread starter
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@Tead, I warned him about my first DC that grew to 7’ in flower. He grows monster plants that look down on you anyway. Lol! They can be intimidating.
vtwin906
Well-Known Member
Nice genetic choices buckaroo!
I have to say the genetics were not my choice, these are all free seeds... lucky me! The Sour Daddy can finish in 60 days, will I be that lucky?
The landlord brought some folks to see my place yesterday, he will let me out of my lease if he finds new tenants, I told him I'd like to move out at the end of next month. He is bringing more folks tomorrow, hopefully he will get someone and not have to come through again and I won't have to worry too much about odor.
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vtwin906
Well-Known Member
I’ve had Autos finish within 60 days. I like your chances. Good luck with moving.
Thanks, I am pumped for a 60 day grow. I just hooked up the King 1000 such that my lux meter is showing 52,000 lux, about 20" over the plant. Will lower a bit every day until I hit the 70K mark. My only worry at this point is I'd like to get seeds if the sibling is male, but maybe I'll get immature seeds if I harvest in 60 days since the sibling is a couple weeks behind.... should I consider going beyond ripeness just to get mature seeds? ..... Will cross that bridge if we get there, maybe I'll end up with 2 ladies.
< 15,000 lux – plant isn’t getting enough light
15,000 – 50,000 lux – good amount of light for healthy vegetative growth
45,000 – 70,000 lux – optimal amount of light for cannabis plants in the
flowering (budding) stage
Well, this particular experiment doesn’t involve any roots, but I understand the concern. If this appears to transmit adequate nutrients to the hempy reservoir, then my next experiment will involve some Crash Test Seeds.
This morning’s update - the level in the Blumat reservoir has dropped about 3/8” (despite near freezing temps this morning), and temp-compensated pH was 5.7
I’m going to wait to test the pH in the hempy reservoir, until I’m comfortable that the original contents have been replaced some, at least.