Ten gallon SIP, GAIA Green, Mars Hydro SP 3000

insomnia65

insomnia65

Well-Known Member
OrganicMartian said:
I went SIP. Same soil just took it from the bags and into my @myke tested SIP containers. I didn't figure out a float but I am thinking dip sticks to test. I only have so much time at home and didn't get around to creating a float check. Fly out tomorrow oh well. I'm just happy I get to grow weed and not have to put a lot of work on my girlfriend, wouldn't be fair.

So we are back in business!

The strain is Lemon Tree. Almost didn't make it past the seedling stage. They wilted hard during a heat wave when they were bone dry atleast 24 hrs.

View attachment 4938000View attachment 4938002
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Doesn't the soil just drop through the bottom of those holes? What's the feeding and watering plan, sorry I've come late but it looks a great idea from @myke
 
kratos015

kratos015

Well-Known Member
insomnia65 said:
Doesn't the soil just drop through the bottom of those holes? What's the feeding and watering plan, sorry I've come late but it looks a great idea from @myke
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Nope. Only plan is keeping the reservoirs full of water and that's it.

Feeding, in my experience with SIPS, is simply top dressing, moistening aforementioned top dress, and then continuing to keep the reservoir full itself.

Sounds "abnormal", but when you think about it this is how plants grow naturally. Consider a plant buried in the ground that you water. Eventually, the water will follow the path of least resistance through the various grains of sand/rock and eventually "pool" up somewhere. This "pool" of water is accessable by the plant's roots, but said roots aren't submerged in the "pool" forcibly either.

Plants, like us, don't want to wait until they're dehydrated. We as humans don't wait until we're out of water to go the store and pick some up, we usually have some on hand and can even just drink tap water in a pinch if we're fortunate enough. Point is, we always have water accessible to us at our own convenience.

Give plants that same courtesy and you will be immensely rewarded.

I've only ever used "swicks" myself as opposed to full blown SIPs, but @myke pictures of those roots speak for themselves.

Fact is, 90-95% of issues plant growers face is related to watering in some shape or form. By growing plants in the ground, or in SIPs, you effectively eliminate watering as an issue and will automatically experience more success than anyone growing in pots.
 
Polyuro

Polyuro

Well-Known Member
Also look at myke's pic of the soil after harvest. It's just a solid block of soil. Hardly anything came off. I do get more roots in the rez that I have to clean out but that's the hydroponics effect of the sip.
 
insomnia65

insomnia65

Well-Known Member
Polyuro said:
Also look at myke's pic of the soil after harvest. It's just a solid block of soil. Hardly anything came off. I do get more roots in the rez that I have to clean out but that's the hydroponics effect of the sip.
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How much above the water level is the net? I'm probably over thinking.
 
StonedGardener

StonedGardener

Well-Known Member
OrganicMartian said:
Hi, this is my first no-till indoor garden.
I'm using a marshydro sp3000, 2x4 tent, ac infinity 4 inch fan and gaia green amendments and 1 1/2 cups of dolomite lime in the base mix.
My base mix was approximately 1/3 compost 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 aeration using rice hulls, perlite, dried beer grain, pumice stones and a little bit of vermiculite.

I'm going to let it rest for about 1 month and then plant some seeds!View attachment 4893578
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I'm curious about the wraps around pots. Seems like it would interfere with characteristics( e.g. air exchange) and benefits of smart pot.
 
Polyuro

Polyuro

Well-Known Member
insomnia65 said:
How much above the water level is the net? I'm probably over thinking.
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It can range but it NEEDS an air gap hence what they said about drilling an over flow hole. That keeps a gap. Drill it just below soil level/top of rez. Really it needs to be a lateral oval drilled out. I bought one premade and made one so I have experienced diy and commercial innovation.
 
StonedGardener

StonedGardener

Well-Known Member
OrganicMartian said:
Hi, this is my first no-till indoor garden.
I'm using a marshydro sp3000, 2x4 tent, ac infinity 4 inch fan and gaia green amendments and 1 1/2 cups of dolomite lime in the base mix.
My base mix was approximately 1/3 compost 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 aeration using rice hulls, perlite, dried beer grain, pumice stones and a little bit of vermiculite.

I'm going to let it rest for about 1 month and then plant some seeds!View attachment 4893578
Click to expand...
Wondering why cellophane wrapped around smart pots??
 
insomnia65

insomnia65

Well-Known Member
Polyuro said:
It can range but it NEEDS an air gap hence what they said about drilling an over flow hole. That keeps a gap. Drill it just below soil level/top of rez. Really it needs to be a lateral oval drilled out. I bought one premade and made one so I have experienced diy and commercial innovation.
Click to expand...
So the net pot also needs to be above water?
 
OrganicMartian

OrganicMartian

Active Member
StonedGardener said:
Wondering why cellophane wrapped around smart pots??
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To imitate those grassroots living soil pots everyone raves about. Living soil likes consistent moisture I hear, and regular fabric pots can create a less fertile zone around the edges.

insomnia65 said:
So the net pot also needs to be above water?
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The net pot is filled with soil and sitting in the water. Acts as a wick, soaking water up into the container holding the soil. Capillary action.
 
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