SWICK Watering Systems: Letting The Plant Water Itself
- Thread starter SweetSue
- Start date
Bucudinkydow
Well-Known Member
And just like that, I have 5 sprouted seeds!!
From the 5, 3 look nice and strong with straight down taproots, while the other 2 kind of snaked along the surface before heading down... I am just still in shock that all 5 popped!!
I have moved them onto the SWICK, actually above the SWICK so they are not contacting it. They still have their humidity domes on and on the heating mat but now have the LED to give them light at it's lowest setting till I can transplant of Friday night.
@beez0404 Friday night is floating night...
And just one pic of a seedling in perlite!
I removed their shells tonight with ease.
@SweetSue
It has begun!
From the 5, 3 look nice and strong with straight down taproots, while the other 2 kind of snaked along the surface before heading down... I am just still in shock that all 5 popped!!
I have moved them onto the SWICK, actually above the SWICK so they are not contacting it. They still have their humidity domes on and on the heating mat but now have the LED to give them light at it's lowest setting till I can transplant of Friday night.
@beez0404 Friday night is floating night...
And just one pic of a seedling in perlite!
I removed their shells tonight with ease.
@SweetSue
It has begun!
The floating aspect was just unnerving... They just slide out of the perlite so easily after a bit of a squeeze.
One thing that was very clear was that out of the 5 seeds, 3 are really good genetics. They has long tap roots and lots of side hairs, like this one.
These long tap roots almost reached the bottom of the pots.
Two of them just had about an inch long tap root with no little hairs, very odd. They were also transplanted into pots with seedling mix.
All were given a bit of water around the perimeter of the pot and the clear plastic SOLO humidity dome placed on again.
Will see how they are doing in the morning but may start another 2 seeds to replace the possible duds.
One thing that was very clear was that out of the 5 seeds, 3 are really good genetics. They has long tap roots and lots of side hairs, like this one.
These long tap roots almost reached the bottom of the pots.
Two of them just had about an inch long tap root with no little hairs, very odd. They were also transplanted into pots with seedling mix.
All were given a bit of water around the perimeter of the pot and the clear plastic SOLO humidity dome placed on again.
Will see how they are doing in the morning but may start another 2 seeds to replace the possible duds.
Bucudinkydow
Well-Known Member
Really healthy looking root. Congrats. I’m definitely going to give this method a try.
Still no SWICK action...A few weeks away from that big adventure.
In the meantime, things are happening!
Firstly, I absolutely LOVE the perlite germination technique!! So far 7 out of 7 seeds have popped, wish I had tried it with some of my older seeds but I still have a few more I can try it on later.
I have modified it slightly as the previous way of removing the sprout was intimidating to me. So instead I just float all the perlite in the cup while gently lifting on the sprout. It goes in the hole with whatever perlite it has grown onto.
I have 5 of the mystery Pink Kush strain in pots with 2 quite a bit behind. Since they were so small, I decided to start 2 more of the mystery Godfather OG seeds and both popped and look great!
Tonight I transplanted them into semi SWICK SOLO cups with perlite and seedling soil and the humidity domes went back on.
Very happy to have such a full garden all doing well albeit some slower than others...Their fate remains uncertain at this stage still.
A group pic first!
And the best looking gal
And one of the ones that sprouted but never grew side roots in the perlite. Massive size difference, so the 2 small ones may be replaced by the Godfather OG.
Godfather OG floated and transplanted.
And what's going on with the room
I am in a battle with my wife and her dehumidifier...LMAO!!
She wants dry windows and I want a warm and humid room for my babies, unfortunately it is not sealed...
Still it's not too bad.
Quick question if anyone is reading.
When should I top the ladies? Last time I waited too long and ended up with round shrubs...LOL!
Once I top they will have a week or so to recover and then be transplanted into 7 gallon fabric pots and flipped to 12/12.
Not looking for monsters, testing the system and soil for this grow and will use solid genetics for the next round!
Reeferman Pink Kush and Alpha Dog!
Next time we will be on the SWICK bed and back on track!
In the meantime, things are happening!
Firstly, I absolutely LOVE the perlite germination technique!! So far 7 out of 7 seeds have popped, wish I had tried it with some of my older seeds but I still have a few more I can try it on later.
I have modified it slightly as the previous way of removing the sprout was intimidating to me. So instead I just float all the perlite in the cup while gently lifting on the sprout. It goes in the hole with whatever perlite it has grown onto.
I have 5 of the mystery Pink Kush strain in pots with 2 quite a bit behind. Since they were so small, I decided to start 2 more of the mystery Godfather OG seeds and both popped and look great!
Tonight I transplanted them into semi SWICK SOLO cups with perlite and seedling soil and the humidity domes went back on.
Very happy to have such a full garden all doing well albeit some slower than others...Their fate remains uncertain at this stage still.
A group pic first!
And the best looking gal
And one of the ones that sprouted but never grew side roots in the perlite. Massive size difference, so the 2 small ones may be replaced by the Godfather OG.
Godfather OG floated and transplanted.
And what's going on with the room
I am in a battle with my wife and her dehumidifier...LMAO!!
She wants dry windows and I want a warm and humid room for my babies, unfortunately it is not sealed...
Still it's not too bad.
Quick question if anyone is reading.
When should I top the ladies? Last time I waited too long and ended up with round shrubs...LOL!
Once I top they will have a week or so to recover and then be transplanted into 7 gallon fabric pots and flipped to 12/12.
Not looking for monsters, testing the system and soil for this grow and will use solid genetics for the next round!
Reeferman Pink Kush and Alpha Dog!
Next time we will be on the SWICK bed and back on track!
- Thread starter
- #587
Congrats on the germination success.
I’ll forever use this technique. I’ve always floated mine out. How were you doing it before? 
I top one of two ways, at the fifth node or when the plant reaches about 12-14” and looks like it wants to bolt upwards. That’s when I stop that upward momentum. The second practice requires you to take a week or so to bend the other branches over until you get them all leveled out.
Getting close.
Bucudinkydow
Well-Known Member
Great start. Congrats and good luck!
Congrats on the germination success.
I top one of two ways, at the fifth node or when the plant reaches about 12-14” and looks like it wants to bolt upwards. That’s when I stop that upward momentum. The second practice requires you to take a week or so to bend the other branches over until you get them all leveled out.
Getting close.
I misunderstood the directions a bit and thought it had to be slid out sideways...
Now I tape the hole, gently grasp the stem and fill with water and once the perlite floats I gently pull it out.
Comes out smooth like butter!
Also debating on just flipping them to 12/12 once the smaller seedlings are ready.
A quicker test of the system to see what needs to be tweaked before I move onto more expensive seeds and actual strains I can use for medical needs.
So many choices and so much time!
Bucudinkydow
Well-Known Member
Initially, I chose 12/12 from seed light schedule in an effort to restrict growth. I’m a micro doser and covet variety much more than quantity. I’d always heard 12/12 from seed would result in smaller plants but.........
This is week 14 from germination and week 8 from when it initially entered flower stage. Considering I was attempting to grow a small plant, I’d have to say this endeavor was a failure; but hey, how can I complain about this??!?
This is week 14 from germination and week 8 from when it initially entered flower stage. Considering I was attempting to grow a small plant, I’d have to say this endeavor was a failure; but hey, how can I complain about this??!?
- Thread starter
- #591
Initially, I chose 12/12 from seed light schedule in an effort to restrict growth. I’m a micro doser and covet variety much more than quantity. I’d always heard 12/12 from seed would result in smaller plants but.........
This is week 14 from germination and week 8 from when it initially entered flower stage. Considering I was attempting to grow a small plant, I’d have to say this endeavor was a failure; but hey, how can I complain about this??!?
Lol! That’s the kind of “small” we’d all like to see in our gardens.
You’ve shown the potential SWICK offers. I went to hempy to grow small plants and doubled my yield within two cycles. My last harvested Carnival was 9+ ounces in the jars.
Sometimes we stumble onto success.
Bucudinkydow
Well-Known Member
I have become a rabid fan since I’ve discovered you CAN bottom feed coco successfully through the Swick system. With all the shortcomings I’m using in my garden, I attribute the success primarily to the Swick. So glad you introduced us to it!!
@Bucudinkydow
LMAO!!! That is a beautiful plant though!! Is that the side lighting project you have going?
That was my idea as well... Smaller plants and a faster harvest.
I am also a micro doser and use a lot of various high power vaporizers to medicate with.
Variety is the spice of life, totally agree and I like to have a bunch of strains to choose from.
I will give the 2 small seedlings a chance to grow a bit more and then flip to 12/12.
Question on transplanting though!
If I flip to 12/12, when should i transplanting to their final container?
I would also imagine that you would also not need to use a very large fabric pot as we skip the massive root growth during veg? Or would I still go to the 7 gallon SP?
I cannot imagine a lot of transplants somehow but correct me if I am wrong!
LMAO!!! That is a beautiful plant though!! Is that the side lighting project you have going?
That was my idea as well... Smaller plants and a faster harvest.
I am also a micro doser and use a lot of various high power vaporizers to medicate with.
Variety is the spice of life, totally agree and I like to have a bunch of strains to choose from.
I will give the 2 small seedlings a chance to grow a bit more and then flip to 12/12.
Question on transplanting though!
If I flip to 12/12, when should i transplanting to their final container?
I would also imagine that you would also not need to use a very large fabric pot as we skip the massive root growth during veg? Or would I still go to the 7 gallon SP?
I cannot imagine a lot of transplants somehow but correct me if I am wrong!
- Thread starter
- #594
My last plant I tried something Graytail was playing with, and let the plant get through the stretch after flip before transplanting, in an effort to limit upward growth. That’s how it played out in my garden, and then it turned into my biggest harvest to date. I transplanted into my largest pot, so if you try this I’d go with 7-gal pots.
Bucudinkydow
Well-Known Member
Thanx, lazylathe.
This is the plant that I’ve gone vertical with using the cheap 4’ LED tubes. It took to the side (front) lighting well. This is a pure Sativa and I feel the lighting I’m using is going to be more adaptable to the taller structured plants. After the first of the year, I’m going to experiment with an indica heavy hybrid.
As far as transplanting, I’m not sure how much of my technique with coco will translate to your soil medium. Sue can probably give better guidance on that. I will say that I found finishing in 1 gal rag bags was problematic for me. Constantly having to adjust swick float level and contact area between bag and Swick surface to maintain a constant moisture content. The 7 gal bags rock!
Interesting that you’d mention root size. I remember a wise ol’ mentor from the past said “Grow the root and the rest of the plant will take care of itself”. An anomaly I noticed with my first two successful Swick gardens was the fact that the root was drastically disproportionately small. I clean and save the roots and found they were small enough to fit in a quart jar without folding it up. Far smaller than you would expect to comfortably support a healthy 4’ tall plant. I’m not a botanist and this is an uneducated thesis. Root growth, I think, is stimulated by the stress of dry conditions. They grow to amazing lengths in search of adequate moisture and nutrients. With constant easy access to moisture and nutrients in the Swick/coco companionship, roots have no reason to grow. They get lazy! Think I may be on the right track, Sue?
- Thread starter
- #596
Oh, I know you’re on track Buc. That’s why we perfect the wet/dry cycle in veg and let them wilt. Outdoors it’s a proven fact that you’ll get the best oils from plants that are sitting in marginal areas, where they have to go searching for water.
My theory is that this extensive root system outdoors allows the plant closer contact with the soil bots, and they feed the cannabis plants well. In containers we become the soil bots, and SWICK allows the plants to water themselves.
It’s no coincidence that I ended up with hempy, another method that’s relatively carefree and keeps the plants well-hydrated. I’m basically a lazy gardener who also wants large returns on my investment. My choices of growing methods reflect my fundamental nature.
My theory is that this extensive root system outdoors allows the plant closer contact with the soil bots, and they feed the cannabis plants well. In containers we become the soil bots, and SWICK allows the plants to water themselves.
It’s no coincidence that I ended up with hempy, another method that’s relatively carefree and keeps the plants well-hydrated. I’m basically a lazy gardener who also wants large returns on my investment. My choices of growing methods reflect my fundamental nature.
Almost a month of vegging has gone by and everyone is looking healthy!
Tonight was transplant night for the Pink Kush(?) from their plastic containers to 3 gallon fabric pots and the Godfather OG(?) went from SOLO cups to the PK plastic pots.
I mixed in a LOT more perlite as suggested by @SweetSue and the mix looked more like what I have been seeing here.
Also added some more myco's to line the transplant hole.
They will be settling into their new homes for a few weeks before being placed on the SWICK bed to grow their root system.
I am thinking that when I transplant into the 7 gallon fabric pots, they will go straight onto the SWICK.
The later Godfather OG(?) will most likely be in 5 gallon fabric pots.
All ladies have been topped once and I will leave it at that. Fully recovered and growing well.
I defoliated some of the larger leaves to open up for the branching to form under full light. This will continue for most of the grow to keep it nice and open. Also considering stripping them but that looks scary...
Buying the watt meter was a great investment!! For my first grow I never knew how many Watts of light I was giving the plants....Just used the old eyeball...Not recommended!
Know I now exactly what the draw is at the wall.
I have been raising it slowly every week or so and am now at 370 Watts over my 4X4 area at a height of around 7 foot.
It should deliver 480 Watts at the wall, so not too bad for a 4X4 area. I am also looking at possibly adding a few COBs for deeper light penetration but will see how this grow goes first.
Will be switching over to 12/12 soon! First want to check their reaction to my first batch of custom soil...
The wall mounted fan is also working out great! It moves the air and the top 2 inches of the blade cover the LED so it always stays nice and cool.
I have the fan plugged into the timer so it only runs when the lights are on.
Should I leave it plugged in 24/7?
And last but not least, some pictures of the girls!
I still cannot believe that the SOLO cup germination was a 7 for 7 success!!!
First a group shot. All the fabric pots have Pink Kush(?) and the plastic pots are GodFather OG(?).
Short and bushy with fat finger leaves.
And the biggest girl
Getting close to SWICK time!!!
Tonight was transplant night for the Pink Kush(?) from their plastic containers to 3 gallon fabric pots and the Godfather OG(?) went from SOLO cups to the PK plastic pots.
I mixed in a LOT more perlite as suggested by @SweetSue and the mix looked more like what I have been seeing here.
Also added some more myco's to line the transplant hole.
They will be settling into their new homes for a few weeks before being placed on the SWICK bed to grow their root system.
I am thinking that when I transplant into the 7 gallon fabric pots, they will go straight onto the SWICK.
The later Godfather OG(?) will most likely be in 5 gallon fabric pots.
All ladies have been topped once and I will leave it at that. Fully recovered and growing well.
I defoliated some of the larger leaves to open up for the branching to form under full light. This will continue for most of the grow to keep it nice and open. Also considering stripping them but that looks scary...
Buying the watt meter was a great investment!! For my first grow I never knew how many Watts of light I was giving the plants....Just used the old eyeball...Not recommended!
Know I now exactly what the draw is at the wall.
I have been raising it slowly every week or so and am now at 370 Watts over my 4X4 area at a height of around 7 foot.
It should deliver 480 Watts at the wall, so not too bad for a 4X4 area. I am also looking at possibly adding a few COBs for deeper light penetration but will see how this grow goes first.
Will be switching over to 12/12 soon! First want to check their reaction to my first batch of custom soil...
The wall mounted fan is also working out great! It moves the air and the top 2 inches of the blade cover the LED so it always stays nice and cool.
I have the fan plugged into the timer so it only runs when the lights are on.
Should I leave it plugged in 24/7?
And last but not least, some pictures of the girls!
I still cannot believe that the SOLO cup germination was a 7 for 7 success!!!
First a group shot. All the fabric pots have Pink Kush(?) and the plastic pots are GodFather OG(?).
Short and bushy with fat finger leaves.
And the biggest girl
Getting close to SWICK time!!!
- Thread starter
- #598
Decided to try the perlite germing method again with an old dispensary seed I found in some really good bud.
The strain is called Animal Face.
Started her in the cup on 29 December and on 31 December she has a tap root and should be up tomorrow!
She starts life at straight 12/12.
Absolutely LOVE the perlite technique for germination!
So far it has been 100% successful for me!
Animal Face strain info:
Animal Face is a rare sativa dominant hybrid strain (80% sativa/20% indica) created through crossing the potent Face Off OG X Animal Mints strains. This bud may be hard to find on your average market, but you'll totally be addicted after you feel its mind and body numbing high.
The strain is called Animal Face.
Started her in the cup on 29 December and on 31 December she has a tap root and should be up tomorrow!
She starts life at straight 12/12.
Absolutely LOVE the perlite technique for germination!
So far it has been 100% successful for me!
Animal Face strain info:
Animal Face is a rare sativa dominant hybrid strain (80% sativa/20% indica) created through crossing the potent Face Off OG X Animal Mints strains. This bud may be hard to find on your average market, but you'll totally be addicted after you feel its mind and body numbing high.