Shiva2
(newbie)
2/26/01 10:27 PM
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Empty Bucket Syndrome
[Post#: 100067
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I am trying something new to overcome the dreaded empty bucket syndrome. Yeah... the ones I always get due to males and weak plants dying when I grow from seeds.
On the outside of my regular circle of buckets I am going to put a circle of plants in temporary holding pots and use these plants to replace any males or weak/dying plants. Hopefully, by the second week of flowering, I should have a roomful of only the strongest, female plants.
As the plants in these temporary pots will not be on the drip system and will be fed nutes by hand watering, I wondered what would be the best medium to use in the temporary pots. The seedlings are in rockwool on a bed of vermiculite and pearlite. I had thought to use vermiculite and pearlite mix for the pots. However, a friend told me I should use soil for the pots, but I am worried about diseases that could be incubated in the soil.
Has anyone tried this before? Do you have any suggestions regarding what is the best medium for the pots? Also, what size temporary pot do you think would accomodate the root structure of the young plant until sex can be determined?
Thanks...Shiva.
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texasrebel
(superposter)
2/26/01 11:59 PM
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Re: Empty Bucket Syndrome
[Post#: 100086
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that is a good question, and you asked it very well.
use perlite. i use just plain perlite. i start my seeds in rockwool cubes, and nest the cubes in perlite. i have them in a seed tray purchased from WalMart. They are started in germination cubes (small black square plastic seedling cups), and once the plant has made it to maturity (is ready for veg) i send it to the big pot, and transplant right into the lava rocks.
I handwater my plants all the way through their life cycle. I used to use a pump but it went out on me during my first grow, and I havent used it since. Pumps are good if you are using tables.
My ideal setup would be a hydro/soil mix. Ive seen this done in pictures from Vancouver. Plants are much more desirable and healthy.
I do not suggest using soil and rockwool cubes over perlite and rockwool. If you plan to flower your plant in a hydroponic method, use that from the beginning. Do not change up the medium on the plant, as this can confuse or stress the plant, not to mention change PH levels you are used to. It can confuse the new grower.
good luck
texasrebel
"...Trunk got more bang than a gang of gang-bangers.."
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Shiva2
(newbie)
2/27/01 08:58 PM
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Re: Empty Bucket Syndrome
[Post#: 100382
/ re: 100086
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Thanks for the help, Texasrebel...Shiva
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