I’m new to ILGM forum but have been growing hydro for more than 35 years. I have a horticultural background and am a retired landscape designer and installer.
I recently decided to leave another grow forum and join ILGM. This tread is where I will return to share my grows with you. I grow in a 8’ x 12’ shed that I have improved to shelter my grow in the Rockies of Colorado. My first post will be introducing you to my propagation cabinet.
Propagation Cabinet
I have a shelf dedicated to propagation and genetics conservation. I keep 4 strains grafted onto 2 bonsai mothers.
I prepare 2 cloned plants for transfer to my bloom chamber. I will start with 6 cuttings in order to get 2 superior plants for bloom.
Photo shows 2 bonsai grafted mothers.
Left: Pebble Punch, Topanga Cookies#2 and Chem Brulee.
Right: Chem Brulee and Topanga Cookies #3.
The propagation area is regularly in transition.
Here are new cuttings on the right in the clear shoebox. The larger hydro tray on the left has a bonsai mother and plants ready to move the 2 best to the bloom chamber.
I plant rooted cuttings into #1 Air-Pots. They grow in #1s until ready for transfer to bloom. They go into #3s for bloom. Filled with Hydroton pellets.
Pebbles Punch ready to pot up to #3 Air-Pot. From here they veg for 2-3 more weeks in the bloom chamber and then flip to bloom.
Outside the cabinet is much of the hydro tech.
The hydro in the propagation tray is a simple 24/7 top feed and drain back to reservoir to recirculate.
White plastic usually covers the pots to minimize algae growth.
In my next post I’ll share with you the area where I flower.
I’m new to ILGM forum but have been growing hydro for more than 35 years. I have a horticultural background and am a retired landscape designer and installer.
I recently decided to leave another grow forum and join ILGM. This tread is where I will return to share my grows with you. I grow in a 8’ x 12’ shed that I have improved to shelter my grow in the Rockies of Colorado. My first post will be introducing you to my propagation cabinet
Propagation Cabinet
I have a shelf dedicated to propagation and genetics conservation. I keep 4 strains grafted onto 2 bonsai mothers.
I prepare 2 cloned plants for transfer to my bloom chamber. I will start with 6 cuttings in order to get 2 superior plants for bloom.
Here are new cuttings on the right in the clear shoebox. The larger hydro tray on the left has a bonsai mother and plants ready to move the 2 best to the bloom chamber.
I plant rooted cuttings into #1 Air-Pots. They grow in #1s until ready for transfer to bloom. They go into #3s for bloom. Filled with Hydroton pellets.
I want to watch this, really curious about the grafting. And I think I might switch to hydro in the next year, just debating whether RDWC or Dutch Bucket drip system, depends on what parts I can scavenge for free or cheap!
RDWC is stupid cheap, until you factor in the water chiller. I prefer it to all other methods. I am just too lazy and haven’t made time to set up my hydro system again after moving out of tents and into a room.
My future son-in-law is a plumber so getting parts is cheap and easy. Thinking of getting a Christmas Tree storage tote, they hold about 40 US gallons, would make a great reservoir outside the tent, they’re like 52" long so will fit alongside the 4x4 tent.
I want a system where I can load it up and go away for a week if needed. My only thing is that in a 4x4, should I grow 2 big plants or can I still fit 4 in there?
Dealer’s choice, really. I ran 3 in a 4x4 but my space was very poorly managed. You would get bigger yield out of 2 plants a la @HappyHydroGrower but you will get more variety if you run 4 plants.
Either way, you can turn it on and walk away for anywhere between a week and two weeks without much issue, especially if you have someone who can check the reservoir for you once a week if needed for extended time away.
Autopots allow you to grow without a care in the world about going on vacation, too, but personally I’m finding them more susceptible to clogs than the RDWC system. So while they suit my needs, they take a bit more routine maintenance.
I’m never gonna say never, but… I wouldn’t even begin to try and run 4 in a 4x4.
When you get use to running a hydro system, then you may be able to keep them small enough.
I really don’t know for sure but, I think you would have a tough time running 4 without them getting away from you. They grow quick in hydro, not to mention trying to get to the middle of your tent.
I’ve got a 3x5 flower area and it’s tough sometimes for me to keep them small.
Also, you may need to think about how you gonna scrog them if you choose to do so. Four plants of different sizes and different growth rates may be quite challenging.
If you run them on 12/12 from start to finish, you may have better luck with keeping them smaller.
Damn Happy, not what I wanted to hear! But if I can pull as much bud off of 2 as I could off of 4, it could be good in that I wouldn’t need as many totes or fittings (lower startup costs!). I’d be doing clones, so they should have similar growth patterns/rates.
If I did a Dutch Bucket system, basically a drip system into coco/perlite draining back into a reservoir, I could set up 2 buckets at first and then add 2 more in opposing corners if I think/prove I can control them. Adding buckets is easier than adding totes. Is the growth in a drip system similar to that of RDWC?
Don’t really have space to set up a second tent, maybe a 3x3 that I could put my old light in and use it for a veg tent. Is it possible to move plants from 1 tote to another (from one tent to another)? With buckets, it would just be disconnecting the water line and the drain line, RDWC would involve picking up the plant and root system, correct?
Not sure what you get in a 4x4 but, with a good growing plant, I can usually get about 12-14 oz per plant in a 28” x 32” scrog.
Doing clones, I would highly look at @CooterJuice cooler or an ebb and flow system. You can grow several strains at once and probably average the same amount of weed if not more than two grow sites.
If I had the room, I would setup somehow with a BIG cooler.
I think @Grandaddy013 grows several plants in a tote and fills a 5x5 scrog.
Couldn’t really say. I think CooterJuice can speak about the drippers.
I think with the right cutoff valves and quick couplings, and setting your system up on rollers, you can do whatever you want too.
I could do that with mine right now if I had to. I’ve got my totes and my res on casters.
I have seen folks that use 5 gal buckets take the netpot, lid and all out of one bucket and put it in another bucket with fresh nutes.
Once the roots get big, I don’t think you would be able to pull the roots through the netpot opening in the lid of the tote.
Nice looking clean setup. Welcome to the forum! This forum is different from all the others in that we are inclusive and do not allow unfriendly behavior. It makes this a refuge for a lot of growers.
I am also in the 'Springs and enjoying retirement.
