SWICK Watering Systems: Letting The Plant Water Itself

OldMedUser said:
I have seen mention of SWICK but didn't know what is was.

I do now. :)

Thanks for posting all about it SweetSue!

L8r
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You are so welcome. It warms my heart to see it not only embraced by the community, but experimented with. It pleases me that this community has taken on the challenge of thoroughly investigating this resource to determine the most efficient way to utilize it. We've learned so much about growing these super rootballs in the process.

This community never ceases to amaze me.
 
hey guys, sweetsue asked me to share my findings about res depth

how deep of a res is most beneficial...

i know the answer is 8" because mine is 12" deep and i let the plants sit in the res without topping it off for almost two weeks before i noticed leaf droop. but when i dug down into the perlite the water level was sitting at 4" and the upper 8" were bone dry. so i figure 8" deep with a 7" water level is optimal and i will make new res boxes for next run.
 
StonerThor said:
Would vermiculite work in place of perlite? Its about half the price in my area
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Unfortunately, no StonerThor. Vermiculite holds water. Perlite wicks it.
 
HealingKronic said:
hey guys, sweetsue asked me to share my findings about res depth

how deep of a res is most beneficial...

i know the answer is 8" because mine is 12" deep and i let the plants sit in the res without topping it off for almost two weeks before i noticed leaf droop. but when i dug down into the perlite the water level was sitting at 4" and the upper 8" were bone dry. so i figure 8" deep with a 7" water level is optimal and i will make new res boxes for next run.
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And i know you grow good bud - good luck with your nug of the month!
 
Some grape ape swick roots:

image30793.jpg
 
Time to transplant. I'm liking all the fine roots scattered throughout. These are precisely the kinds of roots critics say we're incapable of growing with a SWICK. Did you ever let these dry out?
 
Let that SWICK dry out in veg for sure. That will prevent the roots from gathering at the bottom and force them to find water by sending out tiny root hairs throughout the pot. A root system with many tiny roots vs. a few large roots will create more surface area to absorb water and nutrients.

To tell the truth, it's probably best not to use the SWICK during veg unless you're gone for a few days and unable to water your plants. The wet/dry cycle is extremely important to creating a strong root system... unless you're growing in a DWC system, which has a whole different set of rules.
 
Let's all agree to agree with me...

SweetSue said:
Time to transplant. I'm liking all the fine roots scattered throughout. These are precisely the kinds of roots critics say we're incapable of growing with a SWICK. Did you ever let these dry out?
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I concur that it's time to transplant. Score those roots with a knife or scissors and up can 'em.

And I must politely disagree with the third sentence. Those are precisely the kinds of roots critics say we're "capable" of growing with a SWICK. If Doc were here he'd call them "hydro roots". The majority are long thick roots that needlessly circle the bottom of the pot, wasting precious energy that could be spent growing superfine root hairs.

All of that said, I'm still a big believer in the SWICK. If used correctly and allowed to dry out in Veg, the SWICK system is a powerful tool to ensure that the plants always have an adequate supply of water in Flower. Plus, fabric pots definitely help with a SWICK, though plastic pots can be used effectively as well.

With much love and admiration, I bid y'all a goodnight.:Namaste:
 
When I have roots wound around the bottom like that I get my bread knife and cut the bottom inch off the root ball then stick her in a bigger pot. In a few days there's roots coming out the drain holes and the plant looks happier than ever. I shave any long ones off the sides as well.

RootChop.jpg


L8r
 
OldMedUser said:
When I have roots wound around the bottom like that I get my bread knife and cut the bottom inch off the root ball then stick her in a bigger pot. In a few days there's roots coming out the drain holes and the plant looks happier than ever. I shave any long ones off the sides as well.

RootChop.jpg


L8r
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Thank you for that. That's brilliant. Why didn't that occur to me before this? I could have done that with my Afghani today. Oh well, next time.

Thank you again. Reps+
 
OldMedUser said:
When I have roots wound around the bottom like that I get my bread knife and cut the bottom inch off the root ball then stick her in a bigger pot. In a few days there's roots coming out the drain holes and the plant looks happier than ever. I shave any long ones off the sides as well.

RootChop.jpg


L8r
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I purchased 2 liter square pots yesterday for the Early Veg area and removed my Early Veg SWICK. I'm going to try freehand watering of the little plants.

I still use a SWICK for Late Veg and the Flower Room in large fabric pots. I've begun letting them dry out occaisionally.

Due to space, some of my Late Veg pots are off the SWICK. I'll see how they do with just a watering tray.
 
My third run no-till has always been on a SWICK, and appears to be very happy. I have worms! Haha! I'll be watching the next seed I plant in it more closely though, and comparing it to others I now grow with more conventional use of the wet/dry cycle.
 
Small update. On 8/1 I started a seed directly in Coots soil in a 5 gallon smartpot on an swick reservoir. On 8/16 I allowed it to dry out and re watered on 8/23 as suggested here. Seed is world of seeds northern lights x big bud.

I'm planning on turning the bottom of my tent into an swick reservoir soon. Very convenient watering method and she seems to be thriving in it.

We're at 36 days from seed and she also was topped on 8/23

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Root developement looks nice. A lot of fine white roots poking through our smartpot.
IMAG038521.jpg
 
Beautiful results Atulip! I'm so glad you were able to make it work for you.
 
SWICK Question

I believe I'll go with Swick / bottom watering this coming Summer.

My questions pertain to media used. Perlite or Pumice?

I'll be using a straight forward Clackamas Coot soil mix for this grow and I've chosen to go with pumice rather than perlite.
Do ya'll feel that the pumice will work as the fill for the Swick resevoir?

Also the soil mix.
To establish a benchmark for meself I'm going with the 3 equal parts of peat, EWC and pumice.
Thoughts as to if this ratio will support bottom watering?

Thanks folks,

OTD
 
olderthandirt said:
SWICK Question

I believe I'll go with Swick / bottom watering this coming Summer.

My questions pertain to media used. Perlite or Pumice?

I'll be using a straight forward Clackamas Coot soil mix for this grow and I've chosen to go with pumice rather than perlite.
Do ya'll feel that the pumice will work as the fill for the Swick resevoir?

Also the soil mix.
To establish a benchmark for meself I'm going with the 3 equal parts of peat, EWC and pumice.
Thoughts as to if this ratio will support bottom watering?

Thanks folks,

OTD
Click to expand...

Lately, I've been using 3 parts perlite to 3 parts peat/compost/EWC. You just suggested 3 parts pumice to 6 parts peat and EWC.

You will probably be happier with 4 or 5 parts pumice to your 6 parts of peat and EWC.

I don't have experience with pumice in soil or SWICK as pumice is irrationally expensive on the east coast.
 
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