5 gallon bucket setup problems, draining

Discussion in 'First Time Marijuana Growers' started by WestGra55, Nov 17, 2015.

  1. My friend has or will have a VERY serious drainage problems from an improperly set up bucket grow.


    He is using organic soil with organic amendments made following the cookie cutter organic recipe shared on this forum. He also decided to add composted chicken manure to the bottom of the pot, and to avoid leaking or dropping of said manure while the soil "cooked," he placed a 1/8" layer of newspaper just above the drainage holes. Now, with a 25 day old plant being planted for 11 days in the 5gal bucket, not a single drop has drained out the bottom and the bucket weighs the same as it did on day 1!


    He used a cutip to break through the newspaper through the drain holes and noticed that the soil at the bottom of the bucket is very "mud-like."


    The plant looks amazing right now with rapid and healthy growth. How can he remedy the situation? This is a tough one, folks. Thank you!
     
  2. I sometimes put paper towels in the bottom of solo cups when I plant things because I put big enough holes that the dirt will fall off.

    Always within like a week or two when I'm transplanting the paper towel is completely gone and decomposed, can't even tell it was there so I assume newspaper will eventually do something
     
  3. Maybe a syringe or turkey baster to sorta' suck out some of the mud/soil.... I dunno' if that's gonna' mess things up by dropping the plant further down into the bucket though. I'm sure it's not real easy to have a look at the bottom of this bucket given that there's a bunch of soil and a plant in it either. From what I've heard, you don't really want to put holes in the side of your bucket.... Hmm.... I'm gonna' follow along on this one.
     
  4. Might wanna just transplant to a 7 gal bucket and get it fixed to play it safe, that "muddy" dirt sounds really bad and no way a plant can grow in that
     
  5. Thank you for the feedback, everyone.


    The newspaper may be decomposed but it's still restricting flow.


    Transplanting at this stage might not be an option as the plant is an autoflower and might cause it more harm than good. Odds of the autoflower reaching the bottom of the 5gal bucket?


    Also, perhaps a method of drying is in order? Heating or otherwise?
     
  6. I would place it on a pile of newspapers and let them draw excess water out. After that go easy on the watering. Once the roots have fully engulfed the pot there won't be an issue because they will suck the soil dry in no time
     
  7. it IS sitting on newspapers... and theyre dry as the desert. Perhaps putting dessicant under the newspapers will draw mositure out and absorbed by the paper itself.
     
  8. is the newspaper in contact with the soil through the holes? A few sheets of paper towels might bridge the gap.


    If you can't draw any moisture out, are you sure it's really that wet? A germination heat mat might help evaporate some excess moisture
     
  9. #9 WestGra55, Nov 18, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 18, 2015
    Damp rid dessicant, normally used to remove moisture in rooms, was sprinkled in a stack of newspapers and placed in a bag, under the bucket. The bottom section of the bucket is sealed in the bag - the goal is to draw some moisture from the bucket, through the drain holes and absorbed by the newspapers. RH is rather high so we'll see how effective this is...
     
  10. The newspaper is NOT in contact with the soil - the paper towel approach is a great idea...

    Yes, the soil was checked again with a cutip and it came out REALLY damp and dark, it absorbed dark colored water immediately.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  11. I had some drainage problems in a couple of 5 gallon pots and I just took a small drill bit (with tape wrapped around the bit to prevent over penetration) and drilled several holes at the bottom of the pot.


    Allows for better drainage and aeration.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  12. Thank you for the suggestion. How many holes did you drill exactly?

    This will be a viable option in a few days if progress isn't made with the current approach, which basically entails sucking the soil dry via dessicant (sometimes used in closets or basements to keep humity low).
     
  13. I put about a dozen, maybe a few more. I basically spaced them out about an inch and a half apart all the way around.
     

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