Hydroponics - Veg vs. Flowering

astro · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 01:10 AM

Ok, so I grow right now but I'm sick of messing around with soil and nutrients in the soil and all that jazz. So I've decided once I get enough funds together I'm going to grow completely hydroponically. I understand how it all works, but I do have a question in regards to a product that I'm hoping someone here will know.

http://www.insidesun.com/index.php?a...=5&prevstart=0 - My question is, is this system only used for the vegetative state, or can it be used throughout the plants life? I ask because I know MJ's roots grow large and the area for them to grow in that system is small. I also know that the reason they grow large is to seek out more water and nutrients, but because it's hydroponic it's going to have plenty of water and nutrients available without having to grow a lot of roots. Plus the plants in the pic don't look like seedlings at all, but it's not a MJ plant either. Also I know that I wouldn't be able to grow 8 foot beasts from a system like this, but this might work for a SOG setup where I only grow the plants 2-3 feet tall. Any thoughts?

astro · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 02:16 AM

I also have another question: What kind of yield per plant should I expect in a hydroponic sea of green setup with standard lighting, allowing the plants to grow to 3 feet at time of harvest? I know it varies, but lets say I'm using standard nutrients and standard lighting. I tried searching the forum and google but couldn't find anything. If anyone does SOG hydroponics, I'd appreciate if you posted your # of plants and total yield, or just yield per plant if you want.

froggy · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 03:33 AM

lot more hassle with hydro...

astro · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 04:04 AM

I'm going to disagree with you, but with the clause that I've never done hydroponics before, so I'm prone to being wrong.

The reason is that from all the grow videos I've watched and junk, hydroponics is more timely and costly to set up, but once it's all set up you don't do anything but let the timers and pumps do all the work (except dumping some ferts in the resevoir). Where-as what I'm doing now with soil didn't involve much setup, but I have to water all the plants by hand, do ferts by hand, etc. Basically I can't go more than a couple of days without spending some time with my garden and from what I understand of hydro setups, you just set it and check in on them every once in a while.

That said, is there something I'm missing? I've read up on a lot of this hydro stuff but I have no experience with it.

overgrowray · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 09:11 AM

Yeah i would like to start using hydro too. But i pretty much have the same questions you do. I don't know where i'd buy ferts at if i had a hydro setup.

Pheasantplucker · #6 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 12:31 PM

hi guys
i grow nft style and ive got a few in pots...i find hydro much easier as im always messing about with my pot grown girls...whereas the hydro needs no more than once a week adjustments(tho i check em every day)...havnt grown aeroponically myself but that looks adequate for the plants full growing life...heres a link to the most recent aeroponic grow im aware of...as for yeild...too many variables to call(strain,nute schedule etc)...i would say a little more than average(whatever average is)
good luck....

froggy · #7 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 01:25 PM

no way hydro is easier.

soil is the great bufferer. u could spend months getting ur pH, PPM etc ready.

promix comes in a bag, dump it in the pot, water with a organic fert like earth juice, done.

no way hydro is easier.

astro · #8 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 03:06 PM

Well, I live in the middle of a big city and have no car, so I have no access to any garden stores except these little hardware shops that carry a very limited selection of soil. In fact, the only soil the have is like "Super-Nutrient Ultra Fertilizer Supreme! -- Only $8 a bag!" which not only hurts my budget (the bags are so small they only fit in one pot, and I have many plants) but the nutrient burn if awful. I can't get access to any of the other soil stuff I need, so I know growing in the soil is hurting my plants, I can see the nutrient burn. And it's not like I have a back yard living in an apartment in the city to get dirt from. So since the dirt I'm getting is overpriced and not the right kind, I really need something else.

And froggy, I've heard from so many people that hydro is easier. In fact you might be the first to say it's not. I'm not saying that soil wasn't easier for you, but don't take offense when I don't believe you because about a dozen people who've made videos and books on the subject disagree. Also I think it has to do with the # of plants, I have too many to dick around with soil anymore. And I guess it depends on the definition of "easy" as well. A lot of factors here, it's all opinion I guess, so you're not wrong or anything. Well I'll keep an open mind about how easy or hard it is; but per my paragraph above regardless of if it's harder I need to move away from soil.

astro · #9 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overgrowray

Yeah i would like to start using hydro too. But i pretty much have the same questions you do. I don't know where i'd buy ferts at if i had a hydro setup.

I don't know the direct answer to this question, but I do know when I worked at a pet store we had about a billion liquid fertlizers for aquatic plants. Maybe those? Actually you could probably just ask the people at the garden store, just say you want some fertlizers that mix into the water.

unoit · #10 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astro

Ok, so I grow right now but I'm sick of messing around with soil and nutrients in the soil and all that jazz.

HIGH All, well I've done Hydro for a few years and All I can say is if your sick of messing around with a soil grow a Hydro grow will make you sicker. So many more things to watch like PH , TDS =Total Dissolved Solids. You will want the right Ferts for a Hydro grow and so on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by astro

Basically I can't go more than a couple of days without spending some time with my garden and from what I understand of hydro setups, you just set it and check in on them every once in a while.

Trust me you'll be in your room just as often doing Hydro....I'm in mine eveyday...if you want great plants lots of loving will do wonders.

astro · #11 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 04:41 PM

Well like I said, I can't use soil, it's killing my plants. If anyone wants to dig up their back yard and send me some bags of soil that doesn't cost $8/pot I'll gladly take it

Anyway, I never said I wanted to do hydro because it's easier, for whatever reason froggy decided to post his opinion on how hard hydro is and my question is yet to be answered. Not that I'm not grateful for all your input; it's just that ease-of-use isn't the topic of this thread.

Happy smoker · #12 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 11:17 PM

Id say that system can be used for the complete grow,have experience with soil and a few hydro systems,nft,dutch pot system and waterfarms all in a sog.. soil is less hassle, hydro you always have to tinker with it to keep it right but that makes up for it with bigger yields and quicker grows than soil.And its just as easy as a soil grow but you will spend more time in the grow room using hydro..id recommened an nft system which is one of the easiest to use and a lot less expensive...

froggy · #13 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 01:22 AM

i think there are ppl that recycle soil. lol - the soil after one grow has more nut's than most soil one buys at the market. little perlite and a bit o peat and ur ready to go again.

i suppose if one cannot get access to soil and have a hard time in the city, i can see where hydro is cleaner and smaller footprint. but no way is hydro 'easier' or 'simpler'. for a greenthumb like some of us, maybe funner or better is a better discription. anyhow sorry to curve the thread to my opinions...what was the origial q again? sorry im baked from sun, work and some blueberryxbubblegum.

oh yea, hydro.

yes all the way thru their life cycle. yes the bigger the roots and veg, the bigger the plant. inside and under lights, this means how long u have them on veg lighting. there are many ppl that aero-cloner for 14 days, then harden and veg for about 10 days and off to the flowering bench.

longer veg = longer buds. one of the beauties with hydro is that root bound is not in ur vocab anymore.

but ive never seen a flowering 3 footer plant in a system that small. i think i would consider that setup as a veg machine.

maybe if ur nice, u can get Unoit to chime in about his system.

i havnt touched a hydro system for 10+ years. they were a pain in the ass then and prolly only a bit better now. and frankly i love the smell, touch, feel and taste of soil, what can i say...

homebrewer · #14 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 02:04 AM

I agree with Happy Smoker. If you want to grow hydro, you can build or even purchase a NFT or Ebb/Flow system for way less than the system you have in that link. But if your heart's set on that aeroponic system, you should be able to do the full grow in it.

Pheasantplucker · #15 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 10:31 AM

let me qualify my statement about hydro being easier.ive not been growing long and had similar amount of experience with both nft and soil growing...when i look at my soil grown girls i have to guess whats needed(not having years of experience to call on)whereas with the nft tank i just get my meters out and i know instantly...i have never grown anything to be proud of in pots...but my hydro babes are something else....i guess i mean its easier to grow great plants in hydro...for me anyway...
btw it takes 2 days to get the ph,ppm right...and thats only cos the tapwater has to settle...may take a little longer till you know your system...
also now i know my system a bit better i defnitly have to do less with the hydro than i do with the soil...bloody things always want watering....

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#1 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 01:10 AM
astro Captain of Outer Space Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MA Posts: 2,454	Hydroponics - Veg vs. Flowering Ok, so I grow right now but I'm sick of messing around with soil and nutrients in the soil and all that jazz. So I've decided once I get enough funds together I'm going to grow completely hydroponically. I understand how it all works, but I do have a question in regards to a product that I'm hoping someone here will know. http://www.insidesun.com/index.php?a...=5&prevstart=0 - My question is, is this system only used for the vegetative state, or can it be used throughout the plants life? I ask because I know MJ's roots grow large and the area for them to grow in that system is small. I also know that the reason they grow large is to seek out more water and nutrients, but because it's hydroponic it's going to have plenty of water and nutrients available without having to grow a lot of roots. Plus the plants in the pic don't look like seedlings at all, but it's not a MJ plant either. Also I know that I wouldn't be able to grow 8 foot beasts from a system like this, but this might work for a SOG setup where I only grow the plants 2-3 feet tall. Any thoughts? __________________ [ US Libertarian Party (FAQ): Drug Policy, War on Drugs, Taxes, Environment, Freedom of Speech, Crime, Quiz ] [ WoD Clock \| NtheDrugWar \| MAPS \| Myths/Facts ] [ Adopt an orphan thread ]

#2 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 02:16 AM
astro Captain of Outer Space Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MA Posts: 2,454	I also have another question: What kind of yield per plant should I expect in a hydroponic sea of green setup with standard lighting, allowing the plants to grow to 3 feet at time of harvest? I know it varies, but lets say I'm using standard nutrients and standard lighting. I tried searching the forum and google but couldn't find anything. If anyone does SOG hydroponics, I'd appreciate if you posted your # of plants and total yield, or just yield per plant if you want. __________________ [ US Libertarian Party (FAQ): Drug Policy, War on Drugs, Taxes, Environment, Freedom of Speech, Crime, Quiz ] [ WoD Clock \| NtheDrugWar \| MAPS \| Myths/Facts ] [ Adopt an orphan thread ]

#3 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 03:33 AM
froggy Old School Stoner Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: way north of u Posts: 1,361	lot more hassle with hydro... __________________ froggy For as long as space endures, And for as long as living beings remain, Until then may I, too, abide To dispel the misery of the world.

#4 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 04:04 AM
astro Captain of Outer Space Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MA Posts: 2,454	I'm going to disagree with you, but with the clause that I've never done hydroponics before, so I'm prone to being wrong. The reason is that from all the grow videos I've watched and junk, hydroponics is more timely and costly to set up, but once it's all set up you don't do anything but let the timers and pumps do all the work (except dumping some ferts in the resevoir). Where-as what I'm doing now with soil didn't involve much setup, but I have to water all the plants by hand, do ferts by hand, etc. Basically I can't go more than a couple of days without spending some time with my garden and from what I understand of hydro setups, you just set it and check in on them every once in a while. That said, is there something I'm missing? I've read up on a lot of this hydro stuff but I have no experience with it. __________________ [ US Libertarian Party (FAQ): Drug Policy, War on Drugs, Taxes, Environment, Freedom of Speech, Crime, Quiz ] [ WoD Clock \| NtheDrugWar \| MAPS \| Myths/Facts ] [ Adopt an orphan thread ]

#5 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 09:11 AM
overgrowray Thread Killa Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Usa, N East Posts: 5,007	Yeah i would like to start using hydro too. But i pretty much have the same questions you do. I don't know where i'd buy ferts at if i had a hydro setup. __________________ You could never do what I do; Even if I became you You gotta let go of the envy; Cuz on your best day you'll never be me

#6 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 12:31 PM
Pheasantplucker trichologist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: born in a barn... Posts: 894	hi guys i grow nft style and ive got a few in pots...i find hydro much easier as im always messing about with my pot grown girls...whereas the hydro needs no more than once a week adjustments(tho i check em every day)...havnt grown aeroponically myself but that looks adequate for the plants full growing life...heres a link to the most recent aeroponic grow im aware of...as for yeild...too many variables to call(strain,nute schedule etc)...i would say a little more than average(whatever average is) good luck.... __________________ if im making sense it means ive had a bad day.... Last edited by Pheasantplucker; 09-01-2005 at 12:35 PM.

#7 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 01:25 PM
froggy Old School Stoner Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: way north of u Posts: 1,361	no way hydro is easier. soil is the great bufferer. u could spend months getting ur pH, PPM etc ready. promix comes in a bag, dump it in the pot, water with a organic fert like earth juice, done. no way hydro is easier. __________________ froggy For as long as space endures, And for as long as living beings remain, Until then may I, too, abide To dispel the misery of the world.

#8 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 03:06 PM
astro Captain of Outer Space Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MA Posts: 2,454	Well, I live in the middle of a big city and have no car, so I have no access to any garden stores except these little hardware shops that carry a very limited selection of soil. In fact, the only soil the have is like "Super-Nutrient Ultra Fertilizer Supreme! -- Only $8 a bag!" which not only hurts my budget (the bags are so small they only fit in one pot, and I have many plants) but the nutrient burn if awful. I can't get access to any of the other soil stuff I need, so I know growing in the soil is hurting my plants, I can see the nutrient burn. And it's not like I have a back yard living in an apartment in the city to get dirt from. So since the dirt I'm getting is overpriced and not the right kind, I really need something else. And froggy, I've heard from so many people that hydro is easier. In fact you might be the first to say it's not. I'm not saying that soil wasn't easier for you, but don't take offense when I don't believe you because about a dozen people who've made videos and books on the subject disagree. Also I think it has to do with the # of plants, I have too many to dick around with soil anymore. And I guess it depends on the definition of "easy" as well. A lot of factors here, it's all opinion I guess, so you're not wrong or anything. Well I'll keep an open mind about how easy or hard it is; but per my paragraph above regardless of if it's harder I need to move away from soil. __________________ [ US Libertarian Party (FAQ): Drug Policy, War on Drugs, Taxes, Environment, Freedom of Speech, Crime, Quiz ] [ WoD Clock \| NtheDrugWar \| MAPS \| Myths/Facts ] [ Adopt an orphan thread ]

#11 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 04:41 PM
astro Captain of Outer Space Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MA Posts: 2,454	Well like I said, I can't use soil, it's killing my plants. If anyone wants to dig up their back yard and send me some bags of soil that doesn't cost $8/pot I'll gladly take it Anyway, I never said I wanted to do hydro because it's easier, for whatever reason froggy decided to post his opinion on how hard hydro is and my question is yet to be answered. Not that I'm not grateful for all your input; it's just that ease-of-use isn't the topic of this thread. __________________ [ US Libertarian Party (FAQ): Drug Policy, War on Drugs, Taxes, Environment, Freedom of Speech, Crime, Quiz ] [ WoD Clock \| NtheDrugWar \| MAPS \| Myths/Facts ] [ Adopt an orphan thread ]

#12 (permalink) 09-01-2005, 11:17 PM
Happy smoker lounge logging Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 552	Id say that system can be used for the complete grow,have experience with soil and a few hydro systems,nft,dutch pot system and waterfarms all in a sog.. soil is less hassle, hydro you always have to tinker with it to keep it right but that makes up for it with bigger yields and quicker grows than soil.And its just as easy as a soil grow but you will spend more time in the grow room using hydro..id recommened an nft system which is one of the easiest to use and a lot less expensive...

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#13 (permalink) 09-02-2005, 01:22 AM
froggy Old School Stoner Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: way north of u Posts: 1,361	i think there are ppl that recycle soil. lol - the soil after one grow has more nut's than most soil one buys at the market. little perlite and a bit o peat and ur ready to go again. i suppose if one cannot get access to soil and have a hard time in the city, i can see where hydro is cleaner and smaller footprint. but no way is hydro 'easier' or 'simpler'. for a greenthumb like some of us, maybe funner or better is a better discription. anyhow sorry to curve the thread to my opinions...what was the origial q again? sorry im baked from sun, work and some blueberryxbubblegum. oh yea, hydro. yes all the way thru their life cycle. yes the bigger the roots and veg, the bigger the plant. inside and under lights, this means how long u have them on veg lighting. there are many ppl that aero-cloner for 14 days, then harden and veg for about 10 days and off to the flowering bench. longer veg = longer buds. one of the beauties with hydro is that root bound is not in ur vocab anymore. but ive never seen a flowering 3 footer plant in a system that small. i think i would consider that setup as a veg machine. maybe if ur nice, u can get Unoit to chime in about his system. i havnt touched a hydro system for 10+ years. they were a pain in the ass then and prolly only a bit better now. and frankly i love the smell, touch, feel and taste of soil, what can i say... __________________ froggy For as long as space endures, And for as long as living beings remain, Until then may I, too, abide To dispel the misery of the world.

#14 (permalink) 09-02-2005, 02:04 AM
homebrewer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 150	I agree with Happy Smoker. If you want to grow hydro, you can build or even purchase a NFT or Ebb/Flow system for way less than the system you have in that link. But if your heart's set on that aeroponic system, you should be able to do the full grow in it.

#15 (permalink) 09-02-2005, 10:31 AM
Pheasantplucker trichologist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: born in a barn... Posts: 894	let me qualify my statement about hydro being easier.ive not been growing long and had similar amount of experience with both nft and soil growing...when i look at my soil grown girls i have to guess whats needed(not having years of experience to call on)whereas with the nft tank i just get my meters out and i know instantly...i have never grown anything to be proud of in pots...but my hydro babes are something else....i guess i mean its easier to grow great plants in hydro...for me anyway... btw it takes 2 days to get the ph,ppm right...and thats only cos the tapwater has to settle...may take a little longer till you know your system... also now i know my system a bit better i defnitly have to do less with the hydro than i do with the soil...bloody things always want watering.... __________________ if im making sense it means ive had a bad day....