Hello to all once again! My topic today is should i switch to hydro to eliminate chance of mites? Will it benefit me or will it be more work? Better yeilds or loss of taste? Easy to maintain? If anyone has experience in hydro grows please comment! Happy growing
I say try a bucket and if u like it or notice it’s better go from there I love it plants grow way quicker but the nutrients cost lots and root rot bunch other thing u gotta look at
You can cut down on chances of some pests by switching to hydroponics but mites are not one of them . Most cases of mites indoors is because the gardener carried them in . I work with outdoor plants professionally and always shower and put on clean clothes before I go check on my girls and have never had mites (hope I didn’t just jinx it)
4 Likes
Thanks i appreciate the info! Yes that exactly did happen! I was given a blueberry clone along time ago and it started from there…they seem to come and go now so i just make sure i control it now
@Gardenguy lol yep guy, i’m betting you just jinxed it. but will hope that Mr. Murphy passes by your door.
1 Like
I have basically a second house for my girls . my dirty clothes don’t even walk through the door so any bugs have to find there own way in lol @monkman
1 Like
@Kroncaddycustoms @monkman Hydroponics usually has a higher yield due to the high oxygenation in the root zone. Basically, you use a fish tank air pump to drive oxygen right to the roots so they grew really fast. When your plants are in soil or coco they only experience this when they dry out which is one reason to let them go without water until they are almost bone dry. You’ll notice they grow slowly when they are wet and grow quicker as the roots search for water and food.
About 3 years ago I actually had a seasoned grower tell me they experimented with using air stones even in soil! In other words, they pumped air right into the bottom part of the pot. I actually saw this air basket product they simulated the same process by driving air throughout the entire pot!
As far as the pests go, hydroponics can still be prone to pests. I had an ebb and flow system that was being watered too frequently instead of the recommended 3 hours. The result was the media remained too wet and made it easy for fungus gnats to get in there. As far as mites, they are more the result of being near plants or grows that already have them. I usually disinfect myself lol. I throw my old clothes in the wash, take a shower, then hit up my grow tents.
Hydro, in my opinion, is easier to maintain as far as waste is concerned. You won’t have to deal with soil on top of the stems and plant matter you will dispose of. Plus you don’t need to carry all those heavy bags of soil inside! lol However, if you hydroponics you will need to check parameters closely. Ph, water temp, nutrients levels (TDS), and so one. I recently switched over the hydro and keep only mother plants in coco. Just in case, we experience a power surge then at least I have backups.
Hope that helps!
Happy Growing!
GrowMarijuana.Live
3 Likes
Lol @ the jinx… yup that’s how it goes… I bring my girls outside often, like today actually. BUT when they are out I spray the room with insecticide and mold inhibitor and let it air dry for couple hours before bringing them back in
@GrowMarijuana.Live…thanks for the response ! I do have a complete hydro setup ready to go for 2 plants only ! Im definitely going to give it a shot while still doing some in soil, its the only way for me really to find out is just test it for myself! In a few weeks i will tag you and follow my hydro , may need the help along the way
How large are your containers for your hydro system?
@Kroncaddtcustoms @monkman No problem! Are you starting from seed or clone? I’ll post some pics of my deep water culture tonight in my tent. I have them in a dripper system then I switch them over to 5 gallon DWC buckets from Home Depot. Basically, the orange paint buckets. I usually finish them in there but have some larger 34 gallons reservoirs I’ve used to flower in the past. Looking foward to seeing your grows!
Happy Growing!
GrowMarijuana.Live