I’ve been reading around trying to decide on what size fabric pots to use for my next grow. I’ll be growing 2 photos in a 4x4 tent with the spider farmer SF4000 Evo light (plan to eventually upgrade but not this grow. If light is a limitation please provide alternatives using this prescribed light. I’m a new grower but honestly I’ve been pretty impressed with it even though I’m planning to eventually upgrade and can’t even crank it over 80 currently without some signs of light stress in my flowering autos). This will be my second grow and first grow with photos. Trying to stay in a shorter veg window if possible, but have a couple months to play with if needed. Plan to top and train. Training may include screen but enjoying just using the clips at the moment for easier movement of the pots for auto watering bases.
The auto watering bases max out at 5 gal pots but I do enjoy using them. They make a larger size, but hate to blow the extra money on bases and additional soil if 7+ gal is over kill.
The SF4000 is a 450w light that will be fine for 2 plants. I grow photos in 10gal pots, but other growers do just fine using 7gal, or even 5 gal, bags.
Your soil mix is good.
Be sure to provide your plant’s soil with wet/dry cycles. It is necessary for good root health. Roots need oxygen and it’s difficult for them to extract oxygen from soil that is constantly wet.
I’ve started getting a feel for the weight of the pots which has been helping a lot with the dry cycle. I grew up around clay and every topsoil I feel unless it’s soaked just feels dry to me. So I could probably pull the bases all together at this point.
Is the biggest drawback of the smaller pot size mainly time investments for watering/feeding and a longer veg time needed? Also any idea on how long it would roughly take to veg a 4x4 with 2 5 gals? Definitely understand there’s a million factors there just trying to figure out ballpark schedules relative to my wife’s vacation schedules.
Great point! I have a 6.5 foot tent but the inline fan and lights eat up like 1.5 feet or so. Was planning to top and do LST training clips to help a little with height. Still though with barely a month in veg my autos I laid down with training are still feeling a little tall for the space maybe going into flower.
How long do you usually let your 10 gallons veg for and about what space do you typically allocate per plant for that veg time?
Also to anyone reading this that grows in variable sizes, I’m assuming you all are seeing more horizontal spread comparatively when planted in larger pots? Also what size pots would you go with for 60 days veg attempting to have 2 plants fill a 4x4 assuming 2 months for flower growth after?
Comes down to preference and how large of a plant you want. Larger pot=more pot. That being said you can still grow great plants in 5 or even 3 gal. Smaller pots will need to be watered more often, but there is a quicker turn around for correcting issues that might arise.
Thanks! If larger pot = more pot I need a bigger grow space. Is it just because bigger roots support bigger stems?
I hadn’t thought of or read about the ability to more quickly address issues. Leaning toward that 7 gal size now. I’m using 5 gal with autos and they seem good but also like they’re going to grow out of the pot by the end of flower. With only one grow under the belt though and plenty of time around the grow for extra waterings being able to pump some extra cal mag in quick when I mess up could be a real life saver.
Yes grow space size will limit you as well. As far as addressing issues consider this. If you water every 2-3 days, in soil in a smaller pot and a ph or nutrient isssue comes up in your run-off, you have already watered so you make adjustments the next time you water. In a large pot you might have to wait 4 or 5 days to make that adjustment.
Is it just because bigger roots support bigger stems?