Hi all... I've got two decent grows under my belt using peat and I'm thinking about trying Hempy pots. Initially, I was thinking of switching to Autopots but then I started reading about Hempy buckets and think I'm going to try that instead. My question that I can't seem to find a good answer: Are 2 gallon buckets sufficient size? I was trying to find 3.5g pails but can't find any...not even at big box stores like Home Depot or Canadian Tire. They have 5g and 2g. I read in a few places that 5 gallon was overkill unless you're vegging a long time. Any opinion that can help...2g or should I go with 5g?? Thanks
Im using 5 gallon buckets in my first hempy grow. What about cutting 1/3rd or less off the top of a 5 gallon bucket. Maybe fill it first with 3.5 gallons and mark it. BL
I was thinking about doing that too...if I needed to. How long are you planning to veg your 5 gallon buckets?
My origonal plan was 7 ro 8 weeks. But... I did not have a smooth veg, lasted 11 weeks. But I was plagued with slow growth caused by tap water PH problems for 4 weeks of it. Also mainlined trained my plants that adds even more time. I wouldnt go less than 3.5 gallon. What is the size is your grow space? Check out this grow. Mick's Mainlined Hempy BL
Normally, I've got a 5x5 flower tent and a 4x3 veg tent. But I'm running a few autos now in the 4x3 under 20-4 light schedule. I've got a batch of clones that I was going to try run some Hempy. I'll probably put a few in the 4x3 and maybe a few in a nearby closet until they're ready and there's space in the flower tent. But I'll need to veg about 5 or so more weeks before my flower tent will be ready for a new run. After I typed that out, I realized I might have planned my timing poorly lol Sent from my LG-H873 using Tapatalk
Just harvested four pennywise plants in one gallon hydroton filled buckets purchased from U.S. Plastics online. Everything just fine. Smaller pots means more watering particularly with hydroton (once per day).
I was thinking of using hydroton in the bottom and perlite/vermiculite on top. But I'd be happy if I could go a 2 or even 3 days without watering . I just got some 2.5-3 gallon food grade buckets from a local restaurant and i also have a few of the cat litter buckets about the same size. They'd need a good wash but hopefully they'd work. I was just worried that if I need to veg for 5-6 weeks before I can get into the flower tent...those might not be big enough
Even if you use a 5 gallon bucket you will still have to feed more often than every 2-3 days - especially when they are full grown. You can grow a tree in a 2.5 gallon hempy bucket as long as you feed it often enough.
Yeah, I figured by flower it would be more often than 2-3 days. Maybe I'll give these buckets that I have already a try. If it doesn't work as well as I'd like...I'll go to 5g on the next round. Originally, I thought about using a few totes and planting 2-3 in each tote but I was worried about tangling roots... and if something goes wrong...I'd possibly lose 3 plants instead of just one. Lol Sent from my LG-H873 using Tapatalk
I've got a couple Hempy solo cups going with clones right now. Not true Hempy style tho o guess because they've got ProMix/Perlite on top of the perlite bottom. Just wanted to experiment because I had too many rooted clones anyway Sent from my LG-H873 using Tapatalk
my first hempy was in a 3.5 gallon bucket. actually a black bathroom size trash can. i now use 5 gallon kitchen size trash cans. should be able to find them in any walmart or similar store. cheap too. good luck!
if you do end up using those food buckets you probably should consider either painting or taping the outside to make them light proof. roots and light don’t mix well and if those buckets are the same as the ones i’m familiar with from my decades of food service experience they are not light proof. at least it’s a simple solution though.
Thanks yeah....I grabbed these from Dairy Queen. I've got some black spray paint but I might just cover them. I've got lots of the metallic foil bubble wrap that's black on one side and shiny on the other. Could use that...or maybe just gorilla tape them.
Quick question... I bought some landscape rock to put in the bottoms of the buckets as I cant find Hydroton in this one horse town that i live in. I was going to use perlite but could only find the small perlite and thought it might plug the drain hole. Do you think I should soak the landscape rocks with ph'd water or just a quick rinse with tap water? I'm still trying to decide if I should use perlite/coco mix OR a perlite/vermiculite mix for my first try at these buckets.
I I went through the exact same issue long story short I grew with some of the 2 gallons and I had one 3 1/2 gallon the 3.5 was a bigger plant but the 2s did great also and one of them yielded same weight as the larger one. Also I'd do the vermiculite perlite mix over the coco.
Nice. I'm just going to use these pails I've got already. Theres some 2.5s and some 3s. Yeah...I think I'm leaning towards the perlite/vermiculite for media. I would think less chance of me screwing it up...and less salt build up hopefully.