SIP thread -- (Sub-Irrigated Planter)

Hollatchaboy

Well-Known Member
I've been mulching with trimmings and also with fresh alfalfa.

I vegged it outside over the summer, then repotted from 5G to 15G and brought it inside right as pistils started showing (Aug. 22). Rebalancing the bugs has been a challenge, but it's coasting now. Been top dressing with 4-4-4, compost tea, FPJ, and/or fresh alfalfa/trimmings every two weeks or less, and this nitrogen hog still fades.
Cover the top with a plastic bag, like a garbage bag. It'll help hold in more moisture. Kinda like this....

Screenshot_20211009-054236_Gallery.jpg
That's if you want to. It does help I believe though.
 

JimmyJackCorn

Well-Known Member
Cover the top with a plastic bag, like a garbage bag. It'll help hold in more moisture. Kinda like this....

View attachment 5005915
That's if you want to. It does help I believe though.
I almost covered it like that.

I am in a dryish climate, so I rely on the plant and soil to humidify my tent. It works fairly well, but this plant is really bushy and I started having some humidity problems. I put an extra fan and increased passive intake, which worked. If it didn't, my next step was covering the tray and/or soil.

I'd like to do a big tote like I see around here, and I am enamored with the wicking beds (rather than the soil wicks). I'm not confident with my soil yet, though. My plan is to use the same 15G pot, no-till, for my next seedling. If that works well, my next step will be a big SIP (or two).
 

JimmyJackCorn

Well-Known Member
I had the same thing happen under this light with the last strain. I'm thinking I have the light a lil close. Sometimes it's genetic, but I'm not thinking so in my case. It's not good, but my last run was some really good smoke, and it had foxtails, so I don't think it affects potency. I think it's more about bag appeal.

Week 8 ends tomorrow, so I'm hoping she's done at the end of week 10.
I got some leaf droop a week ago, which was about the time I dimmed the light last time I grew this strain. It perked back up after dimming to 75%, and after a few days it did some minor (so far) foxtailing. It didn't do that last time, but its living conditions are significantly different.

I guess I'm not too worried about the foxtailing itself, just that it can be a sign of stress.
 

GrassBurner

Well-Known Member
Here is something simple and relatively cheap that could be repurposed as a sip without much work. Check this out, restaraunt food storage containers. 26"x18"x12"
Strainer
Storage Container
2094249.jpg

Drain pan sits perfectly on top of the storage container.
Screenshot_20211010-222231_Samsung Internet.jpg
Can get a lid for the strainer. Would have to be painted or wrapped. $25 for the 26x18x12 bottom container, $15 for the strainer. Lid is probably $5. All of this is at Webstaraunt.com Heavy duty stuff, made for commercial kitchens, and food grade.
I think I'm gonna make 4 sips using these 12 qt containers. $6.28 per container, would give you 3 gallons of soil, and around a gallon reservoir when stacked. Can fit 4 in a 2x2 footprint. Dimensions are 10.75" x 10.75" x 8". I'd say around 11"-12" tall when stacked.
Screenshot_20211010-232736_Gallery.jpg

They stack like this
1741923.jpg

You could use a 12qt for soil, and stack it on an 18qt container, probably double the reservoir size, and put you around 15" tall. 18qt container is $8.88 I believe.
Here is a link to the storage containers.
Containers

I'm sure you can find them on Amazon, or even at a local restaurant supply. With my limited space, smaller sips allow me to grow more variety, and would be a lot easier to move around. What do yall think?
 

raggyb

Well-Known Member
Here is something simple and relatively cheap that could be repurposed as a sip without much work. Check this out, restaraunt food storage containers. 26"x18"x12"
Strainer
Storage Container
View attachment 5007339

Drain pan sits perfectly on top of the storage container.
View attachment 5007340
Can get a lid for the strainer. Would have to be painted or wrapped. $25 for the 26x18x12 bottom container, $15 for the strainer. Lid is probably $5. All of this is at Webstaraunt.com Heavy duty stuff, made for commercial kitchens, and food grade.
I think I'm gonna make 4 sips using these 12 qt containers. $6.28 per container, would give you 3 gallons of soil, and around a gallon reservoir when stacked. Can fit 4 in a 2x2 footprint. Dimensions are 10.75" x 10.75" x 8". I'd say around 11"-12" tall when stacked.
View attachment 5007341

They stack like this
View attachment 5007346

You could use a 12qt for soil, and stack it on an 18qt container, probably double the reservoir size, and put you around 15" tall. 18qt container is $8.88 I believe.
Here is a link to the storage containers.
Containers

I'm sure you can find them on Amazon, or even at a local restaurant supply. With my limited space, smaller sips allow me to grow more variety, and would be a lot easier to move around. What do yall think?
The measuring cup lines are a novelty and I like that it has handles.
 

Hollatchaboy

Well-Known Member
Here is something simple and relatively cheap that could be repurposed as a sip without much work. Check this out, restaraunt food storage containers. 26"x18"x12"
Strainer
Storage Container
View attachment 5007339

Drain pan sits perfectly on top of the storage container.
View attachment 5007340
Can get a lid for the strainer. Would have to be painted or wrapped. $25 for the 26x18x12 bottom container, $15 for the strainer. Lid is probably $5. All of this is at Webstaraunt.com Heavy duty stuff, made for commercial kitchens, and food grade.
I think I'm gonna make 4 sips using these 12 qt containers. $6.28 per container, would give you 3 gallons of soil, and around a gallon reservoir when stacked. Can fit 4 in a 2x2 footprint. Dimensions are 10.75" x 10.75" x 8". I'd say around 11"-12" tall when stacked.
View attachment 5007341

They stack like this
View attachment 5007346

You could use a 12qt for soil, and stack it on an 18qt container, probably double the reservoir size, and put you around 15" tall. 18qt container is $8.88 I believe.
Here is a link to the storage containers.
Containers

I'm sure you can find them on Amazon, or even at a local restaurant supply. With my limited space, smaller sips allow me to grow more variety, and would be a lot easier to move around. What do yall think?
I like the idea. Just make sure you paint the whole thing. It looks kinda transparent.
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
Here is something simple and relatively cheap that could be repurposed as a sip without much work. Check this out, restaraunt food storage containers. 26"x18"x12"
Strainer
Storage Container
View attachment 5007339

Drain pan sits perfectly on top of the storage container.
View attachment 5007340
Can get a lid for the strainer. Would have to be painted or wrapped. $25 for the 26x18x12 bottom container, $15 for the strainer. Lid is probably $5. All of this is at Webstaraunt.com Heavy duty stuff, made for commercial kitchens, and food grade.
I think I'm gonna make 4 sips using these 12 qt containers. $6.28 per container, would give you 3 gallons of soil, and around a gallon reservoir when stacked. Can fit 4 in a 2x2 footprint. Dimensions are 10.75" x 10.75" x 8". I'd say around 11"-12" tall when stacked.
View attachment 5007341

They stack like this
View attachment 5007346

You could use a 12qt for soil, and stack it on an 18qt container, probably double the reservoir size, and put you around 15" tall. 18qt container is $8.88 I believe.
Here is a link to the storage containers.
Containers

I'm sure you can find them on Amazon, or even at a local restaurant supply. With my limited space, smaller sips allow me to grow more variety, and would be a lot easier to move around. What do yall think?
having built my own sips and bought earthboxes I think personally I would just spring for them. They are only like 33 bucks I think on build a soil and work great! This IS a cool idea though if you are intent on DIY!
 

GreenBean 420

Well-Known Member
Can anyone help me with a quick question?

I’ve never grown out regular seeds before and I was hoping to use my new earthboxes for the first run. What is the best way to run regular seeds in SIPs without knowing the sex? Would I sex them before transplanting into the SIP? Or just transplant at the normal time and hope that A couple turn out female?

I was planning to run two plants in each earthbox… but that’s not concrete yet. Thanks everyone.
 

Xsan

Well-Known Member
Can anyone help me with a quick question?

I’ve never grown out regular seeds before and I was hoping to use my new earthboxes for the first run. What is the best way to run regular seeds in SIPs without knowing the sex? Would I sex them before transplanting into the SIP? Or just transplant at the normal time and hope that A couple turn out female?

I was planning to run two plants in each earthbox… but that’s not concrete yet. Thanks everyone.

I run fems but if/when I do switch to regs I would start in a small pot, until I can sex them, then throw them in the sip. That was how Jeremy at BAS did it in the 10x10 series. Also gives a chance to make sure you have a healthy seedling before potentially contaminated your sip soil.
 

Robar

Well-Known Member
Can anyone help me with a quick question?

I’ve never grown out regular seeds before and I was hoping to use my new earthboxes for the first run. What is the best way to run regular seeds in SIPs without knowing the sex? Would I sex them before transplanting into the SIP? Or just transplant at the normal time and hope that A couple turn out female?

I was planning to run two plants in each earthbox… but that’s not concrete yet. Thanks everyone.
I always veg plants until they express sex then transplant females for flowering. In my situation I veg in 1 gal nursery pots then up-pot them to larger pots or in this case your sip planter. I find that with a feed or two towards the end one gallons work for this pretty well but you need to understand plant talk because hungry strains need help toward the end. The plus side besides being cheaper is this helps keep a horde of plants at a manageable size until you can decide who stays and who goes.

Basically don't waste sip space and large quantities of pricey soil on males unless you are like me and keep a couple around for making seed. Better to invest the time, money and space in your females and to do that you have to let them (or force them) to show their sex.
 

GreenBean 420

Well-Known Member
I always veg plants until they express sex then transplant females for flowering. In my situation I veg in 1 gal nursery pots then up-pot them to larger pots or in this case your sip planter. I find that with a feed or two towards the end one gallons work for this pretty well but you need to understand plant talk because hungry strains need help toward the end. The plus side besides being cheaper is this helps keep a horde of plants at a manageable size until you can decide who stays and who goes.

Basically don't waste sip space and large quantities of pricey soil on males unless you are like me and keep a couple around for making seed. Better to invest the time, money and space in your females and to do that you have to let them (or force them) to show their sex.
so basically the easiest way (without flipping clones and all that to determine sex) is to just veg them all till pre-flower, then simply transplant to the SIP? So I’m looking at around 4-6 weeks of Veg in a smaller container until preflower? Seems the general timeframe the internet is giving me ha…
 

Robar

Well-Known Member
so basically the easiest way (without flipping clones and all that to determine sex) is to just veg them all till pre-flower, then simply transplant to the SIP? So I’m looking at around 4-6 weeks of Veg in a smaller container until preflower? Seems the general timeframe the internet is giving me ha…
Depending on strain I generally go 50 - 60 days in veg. As an example if I can identify by day 40-45 I up-pot and give them 10-14 days to establish then flip. With that 10-14 days they get more time to mature sexually as they grow more root mass in their new space. I like to go the full 14 if I have the time as giving the roots time to spread and grow has been essential in my experience.

Edit* I should add for sake of clarity that I mainly grow sativa and sativa heavy crosses and they need more time. with indica types the time frame I outline is probably a little faster.
 
Last edited:

myke

Well-Known Member
I had the same thing happen under this light with the last strain. I'm thinking I have the light a lil close. Sometimes it's genetic, but I'm not thinking so in my case. It's not good, but my last run was some really good smoke, and it had foxtails, so I don't think it affects potency. I think it's more about bag appeal.

Week 8 ends tomorrow, so I'm hoping she's done at the end of week 10.
Pretty common to back the light off week 8-10 as the plant slows down.They look awesome man.
 

myke

Well-Known Member
Can anyone help me with a quick question?

I’ve never grown out regular seeds before and I was hoping to use my new earthboxes for the first run. What is the best way to run regular seeds in SIPs without knowing the sex? Would I sex them before transplanting into the SIP? Or just transplant at the normal time and hope that A couple turn out female?

I was planning to run two plants in each earthbox… but that’s not concrete yet. Thanks everyone.
Around here some will slowly back the hours of light off,reduces stretch.So day 1 drop 1.5 hrs' day7 1.5 hrs day 13 etc.... Wait till you have 5,6 nodes before you do it.Ive never tried but others have.Once sex is determined flip back to 18/6.
 
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