This was a first generation test of top watering.
One thing I remember hearing is, the very tip of roots contain a "brain". It supposedly tells the root branch where to go and if it has found water and nutrients. Researchers also think plants can share nutrients with each other through the rhizosphere. They say in ancient forests, huge trees can share nutrients with younger saplings struggling for light. I am not sure what the consequences are of removing root tips if any. Just a thought.I'm trying to determine the following...
If a plant's root system has all it needs in continuous feed hydroponics regardless of root mass, are additional steps or phases that aid in root maturation necessary?
There are two approaches to encouraging root development in soil growing:
I've read about either of these two being done in a hydroponics system, particular some form of transplanting or waiting until lots of root tips form before introducing to continuous feed (NFT, DWC, Ebb&Flow). If massive root development isn't that important, why waste any time or plant energy? Once the plant is stable and getting out of the seedling phase, why not just drop right in to the continuous feed system?
- Progressive transplantation -- you let the roots bind up in a smaller pot, effectively starving the plant. The plant responds by focusing on growing new root shoots to seek out additional nutrients. When you transplant to a larger pot, it has many more shoots to pull nutrients from the surrounding environment.
- Air pruning -- You let the tips of the roots on the plant come in contact with air. As the root tips die back, the plant responds by growing new root shoots.
If this is true, it seems you could shave a week or two off your veg time and potentially have a more vigorous plant. Basically as soon as you start giving it light nutrients, you throw it on continuous. I attached a kind of silly drawing to illustrate my hypothesis
I have. I kept amongst others a small mother in a small DWC for about 4 months and trimmed the roots frequently, the same thing as with topping is the result, it sort of branches out more. I have also trimmed the roots of all 6 plants in my NFT (two rounds ago), to prevent them from growing all the way back in to the reservoir. More roots does not lead to more yield than enough roots, only more than not enough roots. More roots does allow for easier nutrient uptake and allows for relatively lower nutrient levels in the medium (relatively because more roots is more medium, or more nutrient soup they are in contact with).
Pretty impressive root system there. I would think that theoretically in hydro you could practice De-rooting much like defoliation. Trimming certain roots to allow more solution flow toward larger more robust parts of the ball. I also think that you can grow plants with minimal roots because it can still feed. But it needs water to breath and carry those nutrients through the stems and leaves. While the size of the mass will generally lead to bigger plants. It would stand that a smaller mass could produce the same if trimmed for efficiency.
No. Not comparable at all. If you think defoliating is good for a plant after I mentioned that source-sink balance you're probably better off just leaving those plants alone.
Typical for Petflora and a few other high post count members here. When you read the posts it's like hmmm, this guy seems to know what he's talking about... but once you see the poor lanky mutilated plants...
Not comparing the two, but it's the same principle. Remove parts to allow access to more desirable areas of the organism. De foliation isn't effective, because you essentially are removing the plants digestive system.
That's is based on the main misconception causing people to yank off leaves in the first place, which means removing the "most desirable areas" in the context of light "access"... It's not the same principle at all. Leaves are sources, roots are sinks.
So what you're saying is more leaves(source) = more fruit(end product) as long as there is enough roots(sink) to fuel those leaves?
