Two plants in a five gallon bucket

[paulg]

I’m contemplating running two five gallon pails with two plants each. I have a 2.3 x 2.3 tent. Just won if anyone has tried this.

 

[Bob's Auto's]

Why not put a 10 gal tote or fabric pot in that space and put four sprouts in that? Way easier to manage one large pot, then two or four smaller ones...

 

[BII]

I've likely done half my pots with 2 plants per ~5 gallon AirPot, the same strain planted at the same time. Usually they each both grow well, but not big or tall, and sometimes one totally dominates (which doesn't matter in the end). In terms of yield, I seem to overall get a little more, such as an an once more vs. a single plant (but this will be highly variable). And with 2 plants, I'm much more likely to get a good yield per pot (or growing space), such as ≥4 oz./pot.

But with enough room for 4 x 5 gallon pots, why limit yourself to 2 with only 2.5 gallons of media/soil per lant? I'd run 4 x 5 gallon pots with1 or 2 plants/pot -- jamming as much in as possible (like SCROGing). I'd go with something better than pails, with fabric pots a good option.

 

[Jpkindbud]

This is what I’ve got going on. In a 4x4. Not utilizing all my space… 25-30 gal soil in 1/2 plastic 55 gal drum. 4 plants.

Your space could fit something like this.

 

[TrichomeAssassin]

I've likely done half my pots with 2 plants per ~5 gallon AirPot,

I am curious which medium you are using with the airpots?

 

[BII]

I am curious which medium you are using with the airpots?

Coco, usually Canna brand (US) with ≥33% perlite.

My AirPots are vertically extended, have a taller profile. I cut the patterned external plastic in half lengthwise and with 1 row overlap wrap/bolt this on top of a stock/standard pot. So I end up with a taller, essentially 2:1 height:width ratio AirPot -- holds near 50% more medium, approaching 5 gallons, with that much more air pruning surface area, yet takes up no additional floor space. I use whatever size AirPots have the yellow bottoms.

 

[paulg]

Bob, Bill, jkb: you guys are awesome! Lots to mull over. One restriction is I’m using GroBuckets. I’ve had great success with them, especially in terms of root development. They allow me to be gone for up to a week. So, I’ll likely work around that. Perhaps, three GroBuckets with two plants each……

 

[BII]

I suggest starting with a maxed out number plants, such as 2/bucket. If desired, you can always cull (e.g., cut at its base) any slower growing or less promising plants.

How much water do the GroBuckets hold? Do you only ever feed from the bottom, the bucket, or do you also do some top feeding?

 

[paulg]

They hold about one gallon. I did top water a few times but found bottom watering kept the soil moist throughout. I had some root development issues in my early grows. Here’s a pic from my last grow. I was pretty happy with the result, so for now I’m sticking to the GB’s.