Rifleman's Roost Open 24/7: Perpetually Perplexed

[Jgrowlove]

I wonder what the yield difference would be between a clone in hempy and in DWC. Hempy so far for me as turned out super easy and rewarding. Does bucket size drastically change plant size in DWC or does it depend more on the veg time? I would need to veg a hempy plant just as long as a soil plant it seems. For me usually 60-90 days of veg will produce anywhere between 5-8 ounces in a 5 gallon pot depending on the strain. 10,15 gallon pots would yield more most likely but could DWC produce a pound or more off one plant in a 3 gallon DWC or would you need a bigger one?

 

[TorturedSoul]

The difference in cost between a three-gallon container and a much larger one is insignificant.
The difference in cost between a three gallons of water and five, ten, fifteen, or even twenty gallons of water is insignificant.
The difference in cost between the nutrients required to support a plant growing in three gallons of nutrient solution and... well, you get the picture, yeah?

If you want a bigger plant, go with a larger reservoir.

It's obviously not quite that simple. Lights, nutrients, etc. But I have yet to see a tree growing out of a thimble. . . .

EDIT: Instead of asking, "Is a larger reservoir necessary?" - ask yourself if it doesn't seem likely that it'd make things easier (for you AND the plant), lol.

 

[Rifleman]

Answers mirror chart.... water level - EC - PH.........
.........Did i win a cupie doll?

Here, Now go sit in the corner. You were pretty damn close.

Will the final exam consist of running a plant from start to finish with no meters or reservoir changes, lol?

I'm just kidding, although it can be done, and even done - I won't use the term "well," lol - in such a way that the gardener is satisfied with the harvest. But it requires the gardener to be able to read his/her plants, good hygiene, a STABLE water supply, and an understanding of one's nutrients. But even I wouldn't recommend the practice, and I'm lazy AND poor.

By the way, in case I haven't already done so, thank you for doing this. I just suggested someone subscribe to your thread in order to learn The Great DWC Mystery 19. It wasn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last. I get frustrated way too easily to do what you are doing, at least on a regular basis.

I ran a 20gal reservoir on one plant before. Only changed the reservoir once, when I flipped the lights. 440g dry, I took a few samples too.

I think you were supposed to wait and see if that slow kid in the back row who ate all his fingerpaint could figure it out, lol.

EDIT: By the way, has anyone kept track of the first post of this whole "DWC Hydroponics How-To" thing, so that I can point people directly to it?

I would have liked for the window lickers to try and answer, but they must be scared.
Try this link for the beginning of the grow TS. It's not exact, but a good place to pick up ~~~> DWC & seed tutorial.

I wonder what the yield difference would be between a clone in hempy and in DWC. Hempy so far for me as turned out super easy and rewarding. Does bucket size drastically change plant size in DWC or does it depend more on the veg time? I would need to veg a hempy plant just as long as a soil plant it seems. For me usually 60-90 days of veg will produce anywhere between 5-8 ounces in a 5 gallon pot depending on the strain. 10,15 gallon pots would yield more most likely but could DWC produce a pound or more off one plant in a 3 gallon DWC or would you need a bigger one?

I use five gallon buckets and a couple of times I've had a root mass that could have used a larger bucket. My largest in the buckets has been an 11oz plant. I don't know exactly how large of a hempy container could be used, or the results, but I bet @Tead could tell us. I doubt a 3gal dwc will produce that weight, the root ball would not have room to grow to the size to support a 1lb harvest.

The difference in cost between a three-gallon container and a much larger one is insignificant.
The difference in cost between a three gallons of water and five, ten, fifteen, or even twenty gallons of water is insignificant.
The difference in cost between the nutrients required to support a plant growing in three gallons of nutrient solution and... well, you get the picture, yeah?

If you want a bigger plant, go with a larger reservoir.

It's obviously not quite that simple. Lights, nutrients, etc. But I have yet to see a tree growing out of a thimble. . . .

EDIT: Instead of asking, "Is a larger reservoir necessary?" - ask yourself if it doesn't seem likely that it'd make things easier (for you AND the plant), lol.

A large reservoir(15gal), 750w HPS(or more), and a lot of love and attention will get that 1lb harvest. I find it easier to run four smaller reservoirs under 400w of 3500K COBs for the same result.

 

[Tead]

I bet @Tead could tell us.

Not yet. I've never had the room to fully grow out a 5gal. Every one previously grown has been just a bit larger than my 1.5gal pots as I just never had room to support a larger plant.
Of course, all that is currently in the middle of changing and I'll be super-curious to see root mass and harvest numbers in fully grown 5gal hempy. I don't know that a pound is possible in my world... but I don't know it isn't either.

 

[Rifleman]

Not yet. I've never had the room to fully grow out a 5gal. Every one previously grown has been just a bit larger than my 1.5gal pots as I just never had room to support a larger plant.
Of course, all that is currently in the middle of changing and I'll be super-curious to see root mass and harvest numbers in fully grown 5gal hempy. I don't know that a pound is possible in my world... but I don't know it isn't either.

You could have dropped a photo. You know, just to show us a 5gal hempy.

 

[Tead]

You could have dropped a photo. You know, just to show us a 5gal hempy.

I'll grab a current one for you tomorrow. As always, they're growin into the lights. Some things just never change.

 

[Rifleman]

I'll grab a current one for you tomorrow. As always, they're growin into the lights. Some things just never change.

Yeah, first world problems, they suck.

 

[Tead]

You could have dropped a photo. You know, just to show us a 5gal hempy.

Here's one or two...

MALs.JPG

• Tead
• Jan 25, 2019

DSCN7319.JPG

• Tead
• Jan 25, 2019

 

[Dankman_420]

Those are some badass hempys!

 

[Tead]

Those are some badass hempys!

Thanks! They're sure getting interesting fast. This is my first time doing plants this size. I couldn't imagine doing this many DWC, but hempy makes it all easy... perhaps RM will disagree.

 

[Jgrowlove]

Awesome room Tead!!!! I'm at awe!

 

[Rifleman]

What happens when you ignore your garden and rely on automation ? You end up with a bucket that only has 2 gallons in it. I topped off the buckets and used enough of my standing water that I didn't have enough left to do a proper water change. I have buckets setting out now evaporating the chlorine for a water change tomorrow since it will have been 13 days since the last one.

One of the things I mentioned earlier was when to do a water change. Plant 4A is a perfect example. She has consumed 14.5 quarts since her last water change. Remember I start with 16 quarts in a buckets. Almost an entire reservoir of top off water added. I expect the ppm and pH readings tomorrow will reflect this. This is going to become more important as she begins too use 12-14 quarts every 4 or 5 days. This is another reason I say keep a note book. Imagine eight plants, and using different amounts of water at different rates. After 7 or 8 weeks it would all be running together in my scrambled noggin if I didn't write it down.

I'll be back tomorrow with current photos and readings from the reservoir changes. Peace y'all.

 

[Rifleman]

@Tead .... Mag-F'n-Nificent ! you're growing trees dude !

 

[TorturedSoul]

What happens when you ignore your garden and rely on automation ?

There was a guy who did that thing. Had float valves to ensure the level didn't run too low, pH monitoring/dosing, and I think he might even have had automated three-part nutrient dosing. Not quite a hands-off operation, but close.

When he wasn't looking, it dumped about 50 gallons of liquid into the apartment below. I don't remember whether the building's superintendent used his right of entry during an emergency to come in an deal with it or just called the guy in a panic - but, either way, the guy gave it up as a bad idea.

 

[Rifleman]

Water Change Day. It's been 13 days since the last one, and I've had reservoir temperatures as high as 80°F due to arctic temps outside and a wood stove inside. Figured it'd be a good idea to go ahead and swap all four reservoirs. Photos and data readings are below. I'll leave it up to you guys learning DWC to go back and compare them to the readings from two weeks ago.

Plant 4A, Day 32
ppm out 506 <~~~~hungry girl,
pH out 6.7@73
pH in 6.3@69
ppm in 963
H2O ppm 126
Nutrient value ppm 837
Drank 16.5 quarts <~~~~ should have done a reservoir change 4.5 quarts ago
14.5" tall

20190127_112921.jpg

• Rifleman
• Jan 27, 2019

4A day 33

20190127_112930.jpg

• Rifleman
• Jan 27, 2019

4A roots day 32

Plant SS, Day 28
ppm out 830
pH out 6.4@74
pH in 6.4@69
ppm in 885
H2O ppm 132
Nutrient value ppm 753
Drank 2 quarts
5" tall and recovering nicely from her self induced topping

20190127_112820.jpg

• Rifleman
• Jan 27, 2019

SS day 28

Plant BT, Day 27
ppm out 614
pH out 6.5@74
pH in 6.3@69
ppm in 903
H2O ppm 133
Nutrient value ppm 770
Drank 8 quarts
7" tall

20190127_112809.jpg

• Rifleman
• Jan 27, 2019

BT day 27

Plant DC, Day 23
ppm out 959
pH out 6.4@74
pH in 6.2@69
ppm in 983
H2O ppm 133
Nutrient value ppm 850
Drank 0.5 quarts
1.5" tall This is the one I had to split the stem before it produced any leaves. Leaving her going just to see if I can bring her to harvest. She also got 1ml per gallon of a stinky black additive that the local store gave me as a sample, it's called Sea Green Compost Extract. As hard a life as this little girl has had I thought it couldn't hurt to try it on her.

20190127_112803.jpg

• Rifleman
• Jan 27, 2019

DC day 23

And here is a photo of a simple 1/2 inch ponytail rubber band being used as a water level marker. As I've said before I try to keep my buckets full with 4 gallons or 16 quarts. As the root mass grows it displaces more water so without some sort of adjustable marking system it is difficult to keep track of what level is actually full at 16 quarts. Clear as mud ? Ask em if ya got em ?
View media item 1647964

 

[Rifleman]

The first day, day and a half after a water change is usually a thirsty time for a dwc plant.

This morning SS had used about a half quart so I left her alone.
DC being so small has used none, so she too was ignored.

4A and BT both were a gallon shy of full. I filled two of my gallon jugs with water from my holding buckets and added 1ml of pH down to each jug. This isn't the right measurement for everyone, but it works with my tap water. Be sure to find your own combination through trial, error, and note taking. This recipe gives my top off water a pH of approximately 6.0. This keeps it close to what the nutrients keep it naturally, and prevents any mighty swings of the reservoir pH.

Again if you're learning, trying to copy, or following along and growing your first dwc plant, take your own measurements and find a reliable recipe for your desired top off water PH reading, whatever that may be. Most aim for 5.8 but that isn't one of my concerns due to my nutrient of choice.

Photos later this week.

 

[Rifleman]

I've said it before, I'm only here to make sure the buckets don't run dry.

Added 2qts to SS this morning for a total since the last reservoir change of 2qts.
BT got 2qts for a total of 6qts.
4A got 4qts for a total of 8qts. <~~~~~point: Since the reservoir change on Sunday I have replaced half of the original solution of 16qts. Since I top off with plain pH adjusted water, and no nutrients, I will be looking at doing another reservoir change in the next few days depending on future water usage.

 

[Rifleman]

Hydro Lesson #4

It's the first day of the month. What do you do ? Calibrate yo' tools of course. Don't skip on your tools, nor the solutions to keep them in tune. You'll thank me for this one day.

View media item 1649613

I was checking on the girls this morning and decided to take some readings and photos after I calibrated my instruments. My thought being ~~IF~~ there is still anyone following to learn I should probably lay out the data so y'all can see what I make my decisions on...or not. Sometimes I'm just winging it.

This is the Northern Cheese Haze on Day 60. Notice the open pollen sacs toward the bottom left. I'm hoping I can limp her along until I can get some S1 beans out of her. IDK though, she is yellowing fast.

20190201_091910.jpg

• Rifleman
• Feb 1, 2019

NCH day 60

Plant 4A on Day 37. She has stopped upward growth at 18 inches. She needed 4 quarts for a total since last reservoir change of 12 quarts. pH 6.1@73, ppm 647

20190201_095237.jpg

• Rifleman
• Feb 1, 2019

4A day 37

Plant SS on Day 33. She has only used 2 quarts. I'm not concerned due to her size. Her birth somehow caused her to self top and grow crazy leaves for the first two nodes. pH 5.8@73, ppm 804

20190201_091830.jpg

• Rifleman
• Feb 1, 2019

SS day 33

Plant BT on Day 32. Another thirsty beauty. She has used a total of 10 quarts, and should be busting out in flowers any day now. When she does I'll do a light defoliation like 4A got a couple of days ago. pH 6.6@73, ppm 609

20190201_091838.jpg

• Rifleman
• Feb 1, 2019

BT day 32

And finally little DC on Day 28. @Tead wanted me to croak her, and look at her now. Struggling to make her point. She hasn't used any water yet, but she does finally have some strings of roots down in the reservoir. Reckon she will make it to harvest... as small as it will be. pH 6.3@73, ppm 989

20190201_091844.jpg

• Rifleman
• Feb 1, 2019

DC day 28

That's it folks, your update for the week. I'll be doing a couple of reservoir changes this weekend, probably with a change in the nutrient solution too. If you have a question, or want to be bold enough to make suggestions for my next move, I'm listening. If not I'll go ahead and work my plan and tell y'all about it later.

Peace.

 

[Ganjagrowergu]

I am following right along. Research for the fateful day I switch from hempy...

Biggest thing I am wondering currently. I've typed this a few times trying to make it make sense. Bear with me please.

Plant 4A on Day 37. She has stopped upward growth at 18 inches. She needed 4 quarts for a total since last reservoir change of 12 quarts. pH 6.1@73, ppm 647

So she needed 4 quarts. You added 4qts of ph 5.5? Now, the ph you have listed there, is that 6.1 before adding ph'd water or after? Will adding 4qt of ph5.5 to 8qt of 6.1 drop the reservoir ph to an acceptable level, or do you test the reservoir and ph down again just a hair?

I hope that made some kind of sense. I got stoned early today, but I'm definitely watching this and doing my best to retain the info. Lol, thanks for taking the time to journal this out.

Seems like buckets might be the laziest way to grow. No runoff to clean up, and I ph everytime I water/feed anyway

 

[Rifleman]

I am following right along. Research for the fateful day I switch from hempy...

Biggest thing I am wondering currently. I've typed this a few times trying to make it make sense. Bear with me please.

So she needed 4 quarts. You added 4qts of ph 5.5? Now, the ph you have listed there, is that 6.1 before adding ph'd water or after? Will adding 4qt of ph5.5 to 8qt of 6.1 drop the reservoir ph to an acceptable level, or do you test the reservoir and ph down again just a hair?

I hope that made some kind of sense. I got stoned early today, but I'm definitely watching this and doing my best to retain the info. Lol, thanks for taking the time to journal this out.

Seems like buckets might be the laziest way to grow. No runoff to clean up, and I ph everytime I water/feed anyway

I added 4 quarts today. I use my tap water that has sat out for a few days. I measure out 1 gallon at a time and put 1ml pH Down in that gallon. It's a recipe I came to by trial and error. (mentioned a few wks ago) That gallon has a pH around 6.0ish.

I add top off water before I take measurements. I try for some semblance of consistency. All measurements are taken with full buckets.

The pH listed in today's post is the reservoir for each plant after I added the aforementioned top off water. Today plant 4A got 4 quarts added to the reservoir, which still had 12 quarts in it for a total of 16 quarts. I don't worry about the pH of my buckets on a daily basis, and only track it as an indicator of if the plant is eating or not. (chart a page or two back) What I mean is, I only compare today's full reading with the reading I took when the reservoir was freshly mixed.

I never adjust pH inside the reservoir. That's one of the advantages of using the heavily chelated Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect. Lazy man's DWC. Add water at a similar pH as that of a fresh mixed reservoir. When a plant has drank about 12 quarts, and/or a reservoir's pH gets way out of whack, mix a fresh one and start another cycle of adding water and occasional pH/ppm readings.

Chatty I know, I have a heck of a buzz. Lemme know if that made any sense.