My 2.5gal I water about every 3-4 days
- Thread starter
- #582
You can't share enough of your unusual techniques. All of my best work this year was bringing the quirky behavior of certain members to the attention of the general population because I saw genius behind what they were doing.
Never hesitate to share. You've already influenced me, and you're the reason I'm successfully popping seeds in perlite. Tead encouraged me for the longest time, but it was your shares that took me over the top.
The greatest success with perlite alone has been in the 5.5 range. That's been my go-to spot for any pH corrections. Thank goodness I don't have to do that this cycle.
As Rad pointed out, add everything first, then check pH. I start my additives with CaliMagic, and then begin adding the nutrient mixes. Then I check pH, if need be.
And as Jim so wonderfully assured you, I ignore what's going on with lower leaves. I'm not the most careful cultivator when it comes to applying the nutrients. Keep an eye on new growth. In my experience hempy in small containers isn't about pretty leaves. In reality they usually get beat up badly before the end, especially with the Osmo, if there's a concentration of prills somewhere in the pot. That never stopped any of my girls from bringing in a respectable harvest.
Depending on the container, mine are anything from every other day (1 gallon or less) to every four days (2- 3 gallons).
It also depends on the age of the plant and how root bound it is. I have a Blue Dream that I was watering every three days that recently started drying up after two days, so now the schedule is every two. I've had some in a gallon or less that got watered every day in flower.
Scorpios unite!!That was Scorpio420Happy early birthday, fellow scorpio.
- Thread starter
- #585
First 3 gallon hempy
(most of this post is a duplicate of one in my grow log)
Today I picked up some 3 gallon hempy buckets.
A few minutes later, Fedex dropped off my new bag of perlite
I drilled a 1/4" hole in the bucket 2" from the bottom. Since Tead mentioned a smooth hole, I did a little smoothing with a file
Since everyone says one should wash perlite for a hempy, I tried bathing the perlite.
The first wash of the perlite turned the water dark gray and left about 1/4 cup of sand in the bottom of the tote.
I tried 3 more washings, using enough water to float the perlite a few inches off the bottom, mashing the perlite through the water for 60 seconds and then scooping the damp perlite off the surface into the other bin.
The second, third, and fourth washes were dirty but the perlite didn't get much cleaner so they were mostly pointless.
I decided to just rinse the perlite in the bucket and skip the second through fourth washes next time.
Once I ran about 8 gallons of water through the hempy, it was running clear.
The Osmocote+ recommended levels are
Low = 1.8 grams per liter
Med = 4.7 grams per liter
High = 7.1 grams per liter
3 gallon = 11.3 liter, so
Low = 20 grams per 3 gallon
Med = 50 grams per 3 gallon
High = 80 grams per 3 gallon
I decided to go with 60 grams, about 4 Tbsp
I mixed the bottom 2 inches/2 liters of perlite with 2 Tbsp of osmo+, mixed the next 4 liters of perlite with 2 Tbsp osmo+ and topped up the bucket with perlite.
Planting time
Scooped out a hole of perlite (no osmo+ in the top 4 inches)
Picked up a nice Carnival clone
Planted in the perlite
If there is anything I should do differently, please criticize.
1stCavApache
Well-Known Member
I had been reading a lot about doing the Osmocote + but had not seen a recipe for how much or where to add. Thanks for the info. I am going to try doing some in AN PH perfect nutes and some in Osmo+. Anybody else have advice on doing the Osmocote as far as how to spread it out or how much to use I would be very appreciative.
I'm using the pH perfect also. I know sue mentioned osmo+ before but is it something I need? I looked it up and found cameras.... I can always add it when I up pot so I would love to hear the more about it. Happy hempy ing friends ✌
1stCavApache
Well-Known Member
I have some of it from my old veggie growing days but it is way past expiration. It's plant food in pellet form and I used to toss a handful in the holes before I dropped my maters in.I just don't know how much to use and how to spread it out. I am sure somebody here can give some help with it. Lotta hempy growing going on.
- Thread starter
- #590
First 3 gallon hempy
(most of this post is a duplicate of one in my grow log)
Today I picked up some 3 gallon hempy buckets.
A few minutes later, Fedex dropped off my new bag of perlite
I drilled a 1/4" hole in the bucket 2" from the bottom. Since Tead mentioned a smooth hole, I did a little smoothing with a file
Since everyone says one should wash perlite for a hempy, I tried bathing the perlite.
The first wash of the perlite turned the water dark gray and left about 1/4 cup of sand in the bottom of the tote.
I tried 3 more washings, using enough water to float the perlite a few inches off the bottom, mashing the perlite through the water for 60 seconds and then scooping the damp perlite off the surface into the other bin.
The second, third, and fourth washes were dirty but the perlite didn't get much cleaner so they were mostly pointless.
I decided to just rinse the perlite in the bucket and skip the second through fourth washes next time.
Once I ran about 8 gallons of water through the hempy, it was running clear.
The Osmocote+ recommended levels are
Low = 1.8 grams per liter
Med = 4.7 grams per liter
High = 7.1 grams per liter
3 gallon = 11.3 liter, so
Low = 20 grams per 3 gallon
Med = 50 grams per 3 gallon
High = 80 grams per 3 gallon
I decided to go with 60 grams, about 4 Tbsp
I mixed the bottom 2 inches/2 liters of perlite with 2 Tbsp of osmo+, mixed the next 4 liters of perlite with 2 Tbsp osmo+ and topped up the bucket with perlite.
Planting time
Scooped out a hole of perlite (no osmo+ in the top 4 inches)
Picked up a nice Carnival clone
Planted in the perlite
If there is anything I should do differently, please criticize.
Looks good Rad. I'm a bit concerned with the amount of Osmo, but I'm new to this too. I use 7 grams for a 2-liter bottle, so my mix looks much more sparse than yours. That might be a bit excessive. I try to get my prills as widely and evenly scattered as possible. The water wicks up and those prills will be utilized by any roots that come in contact with them. I worry that a concentrated patch of prills will cause burning of the leaves.
I also don't worry so much about keeping the top clear of Osmo, although it's more limited in that level.
Let me show you how I rinse my perlite. It frustrated me that all the flushing in the pot didn't do what I considered an adequate job of washing out the dust. This becomes particularly problematic when the plants are in smaller pots.
I have a large strainer that I use to scoop the perlite out with. Working quickly I can get the bag closed before the dust rises and escapes into the room.
I use the hose attachment on the sink to quickly begin rinsing, working first to get the dust wet so it's not in my face. After a few seconds I begin bouncing the strainer up and down to shake the dust free. At this point the water draining is noticably full of dust and looks milky.
I keep doing this - rinse, bounce, rinse, bounce... until the stream of water is clear.
Then I toss it into a basin for later use.
I also figured out yesterday that the easiest way to soak a small seedling or clone is to set the solo hempy into a whole solo and fill with the nutrient mix. Let it sit for a minute and drain. A variation of this would work with your buckets.
You're going to enjoy this adventure Rad. Don't be surprised if you find yourself facing the same desire to leave soil alone for a while. My solution will ultimately be to go to five-gallon pots of soil and make the plants bend to my will.
- Thread starter
- #591
Osmo + is used on its own, not in addition to another nutrient line. It's possible to work it the other way around though - run with Osmo + but supplement with AN, for example, should any deficiencies occur.
My best recommendation about the Osmo prills is to get them as evenly distributed as possible, attempting to avoid any concentrations. We're still learning to control the Osmo.
- Thread starter
- #592
I love working with RX Green Solutions. Not having to pH correct is like.......... OMG, it's just the best feeling of satisfaction ever. I mix and pour. That's it! 
I mix and pour. That's it!
Thank you sue. Your info is very helpful as always!
I personally do a perlite float. Use a my strainer to scoop up the floating perlite, then use the sink waterhose and strainer for my second step. It's disgusting to see what comes out of that stuff!
I personally do a perlite float. Use a my strainer to scoop up the floating perlite, then use the sink waterhose and strainer for my second step. It's disgusting to see what comes out of that stuff!
Looks good Rad. I'm a bit concerned with the amount of Osmo, but I'm new to this too. I use 7 grams for a 2-liter bottle, so my mix looks much more sparse than yours. That might be a bit excessive. I try to get my prills as widely and evenly scattered as possible. The water wicks up and those prills will be utilized by any roots that come in contact with them. I worry that a concentrated patch of prills will cause burning of the leaves.
I also don't worry so much about keeping the top clear of Osmo, although it's more limited in that level.
Let me show you how I rinse my perlite. It frustrated me that all the flushing in the pot didn't do what I considered an adequate job of washing out the dust. This becomes particularly problematic when the plants are in smaller pots.
I have a large strainer that I use to scoop the perlite out with. Working quickly I can get the bag closed before the dust rises and escapes into the room.
I use the hose attachment on the sink to quickly begin rinsing, working first to get the dust wet so it's not in my face. After a few seconds I begin bouncing the strainer up and down to shake the dust free. At this point the water draining is noticably full of dust and looks milky.
I keep doing this - rinse, bounce, rinse, bounce... until the stream of water is clear.
Then I toss it into a basin for later use.
Thank you sue. Your info is very helpful as always!
I personally do a perlite float. Use a my strainer to scoop up the floating perlite, then use the sink waterhose and strainer for my second step. It's disgusting to see what comes out of that stuff!
Exactly!
My plan was to do a perlite float and spray through a strainer just as thermadabber suggested. I think he's right because I saw A LOT of silt after the first perlite float.
What kept me from doing the spray through a strainer step is that I didn't want to use the kitchen and kitchen tools and my basement sink is not yet set up with a hose and strainer. I'll plan to upgrade the basement sink
I also figured out yesterday that the easiest way to soak a small seedling or clone is to set the solo hempy into a whole solo and fill with the nutrient mix. Let it sit for a minute and drain. A variation of this would work with your buckets.
You're going to enjoy this adventure Rad. Don't be surprised if you find yourself facing the same desire to leave soil alone for a while. My solution will ultimately be to go to five-gallon pots of soil and make the plants bend to my will.
So far, the easiest way to soak the whole perlite mix is to hold my finger over the drain hole and listen to a song on the radio before draining. I bought extra buckets so I can have a bucket based watering station in veg. It will work for soaking too
I'll take pictures one of these days I started this switch to hempy because I PLAN to leave soil behind for the winter months. I just can't do soil cooking in large batches in a 55 degree basement or a colder garage or outdoors.
By Tuesday, I plan to rinse the soil from the roots of a 1 gallon plant and transplant into a hempy. I have 6 plants in one gallon soil pots and only enough cooked soil for 2 of them.
Sue, that photo showing all the osmo+ prills was the 2 tbsp brodcast on the top of 4 liters of perlite BEFORE I stirred. After stirring there might have been 2 or 3 visible.
The data I used to determine the amount to use was hijacked from an old Doc Bud thread.
How much osmocote+ ? - Doc Bud Unlucky Queen Hempy grow
I have 20g of osmo+ in the 6" PVC tube which holds about 5 liters per Teads recommendation.
I put 60g of osmo+ in the 3 gallon bucket which hold a little over 11 liters.
So Tead suggested about 4 grams per liter
I used 5.2 grams per liter since my temps are cooler and I veg larger than Tead.
This is in the range betwee a MEDIUM (4.7) and a HIGH(7.1) feeding level.
- Thread starter
- #596
Ok Rad * sigh of relief * that makes me feel better. I kept rehashing the numbers in my head and trying to reconcile it with what I saw in the picture.
None of my Osmo girls were in anything larger than a 2-liter bottle.
KeifKeith
Well-Known Member
A couple of times in my perlite grows, I've grown more ickies than roots! BUT I was trying to do a "no till" hempy, leaving old dead roots in place for several consecutive grows, and only cutting out the main stem and tap root. By the third or four grow, it got really stinky and funky.
Do not try this at home (unless you like stinky)!
Peace
Keith
420
Founder
Please forgive the intrusion, just wanted to post this in a few of the higher profile journals. 
Hope everyone is having a great day!
420 Magazine Seeking Volunteers For Gallery & Grow Forum Moderation
Thank you for your support, we are truly grateful.
Hope everyone is having a great day!
420 Magazine Seeking Volunteers For Gallery & Grow Forum Moderation
Thank you for your support, we are truly grateful.
Blazinjones
Well-Known Member
hey hempy friends just wanted to show my two devils carnival sue gifted me they r doing great so far with the roots organics here they r the first 2 pics is to see how tall they are the second 2 r to show the leaves
and then we got my mystery seeds doing pretty good to
and i even topped one of mystery seeds here she is
also when do i need to uppot them from the 20oz cups they r in??
and then we got my mystery seeds doing pretty good to
and i even topped one of mystery seeds here she is
also when do i need to uppot them from the 20oz cups they r in??
Hey looking good blaze that topped one looks so Cool!
How sweet of sue to share the love.
How sweet of sue to share the love.