Mephisto Genetics White Crack and Kis Organics Soil

[slowandeasy]

I have been going down this rabbit hole for awhile too and am glad you all are discussing the various options. Thought I had a space lined up but the house I was going to buy needed too much work. Working on another option, just looking for land close to My P’s and will build a large live/workspace. Will be growing a variety of veggies/fruits in a high tunnel or greenhouse and medicine indoors in a very secure space roughly 24’x 10’ for staggered autoflower harvests. (Will have another space for photos and drying/curing but want to go in stages and learn what my true needs are then scale accordingly). It will be a long road but well worth it in the end. Looking for strategies to best fill that space and how it relates to different SIP container sizes depending on strain size. Looking to maximize the space while also building the sealed, environmentally controlled room from scratch with proper electrical service, ac/heat, etc. I keep referencing “Design and Build A Grow Room To Grow” by tradesmen Bill Faulconer and it’s been invaluable. I have more to share later in my own thread but I wanted to give a heads to the people reading this thread who have been very supportive with me so far to get your thoughts.

I just want to say again how much I appreciate the constant back and forth between Slow, MOB and others. You guys have helped me connect the dots after looking at every method of growing available... And could not be happier moving forward with probiotics and sips. You guys are inspiring but my FOMO is real!! Dying to get my hands on some beans from @RocBudInc Gorgeous genetics!!

Thanks for listening everyone and thanks again for the Killer thread MOB!! And I agree with you so much on having that barrier on top for added moisture, bug control, etc. it’s one of the most important features of a SIP yet so many don’t do it.

PS: Here is a great playlist from YouTube on SIP Containers including a couple from “Gardening with Leon” love that guy.

YouTube SIP Playlist

If you have the space, go bigger than Juniors for larger yields. Juniors are the smallest I would personally go with LOS. They are a little too small for large strains IMO. That is why I am making my own from 12 gal. I believe that the extra 3 Gal of Soil could be create a difference in yield. Only time will tell, but I truly believe the slightly larger SIP will yield more and require less top dressing. And @Slim Piggens , you will like the SIPs. Just remember to plan ahead. Top dressing 2 weeks before flower starts and every 2 weeks there after. Peace, slow

 

[slowandeasy]

When I was going to build my own SIP I was going down the exact same road, lol. The 12 gallons are a nice size. For a cover, I was just going to slice the lid in half, cut out a hole for the stalk, and use plastic for the hole. That way I could have removed half the lid at a time for watering, whatever. Something like this with 4" drainage pipe.

How To Make 30 Gallon Tote SIP Tutorial: Self-Watering, Sub-irrigated Garden Planter -AlboPepper.com

The AlboPepper self-watering 30 gallon tote SIP is a sub-irrigated planter for urban gardens. It wicks up water from a reservoir, which helps to water plants in a drought.

albopepper.com

Too funny, I had the same idea with the cut bottle as the ghetto funnel. I also thought about using the lid as the "CAP" and cutting a hole for the plant and then cut the lid width wise so I can remove it to top dress. However I am not sure if it will work as well and having a CAP allows us to mound the Top Dressing UPWARD beyond the pot height. But great minds think alike, as I too have thst very same idea. Here is what I gather from my experience with Juniors. Top Dressing is very important and having easy access is even more important! If you can top dress quickly and easily you will have best results, because the TIMING with Top Dressings is the most important factor. If you wait too long the cycle gets pushed back and yields often suffer. Peace, slow

 

[MMMi]

I'm leaning towards a weekly tea route, but nothing is in their final pots yet. Clover is going nuts, potted it up last weekend -- haven't touched it since. Top water once/week with no cover = dry top. Teas might work better, but I'm just theorizing.

Nabbed some goodies from BAS. Some topdress (probaby save for re-amend), bassiana, bokashi, coconut powder. Been reading a lot about KNF techniques, might start a few medicinal plants to grow alongside for a future FPJ. I have lavender now, considering chamomile, borage, not sure about nettles yet.

This weekend I'll hit everything with some bassiana, watered in with a light coconut water AACT. Gotta test out my new PVC airlift brewer thing.

 

[slowandeasy]

I'm leaning towards a weekly tea route, but nothing is in their final pots yet. Clover is going nuts, potted it up last weekend -- haven't touched it since. Top water once/week with no cover = dry top. Teas might work better, but I'm just theorizing.

Nabbed some goodies from BAS. Some topdress (probaby save for re-amend), bassiana, bokashi, coconut powder. Been reading a lot about KNF techniques, might start a few medicinal plants to grow alongside for a future FPJ. I have lavender now, considering chamomile, borage, not sure about nettles yet.

This weekend I'll hit everything with some bassiana, watered in with a light coconut water AACT. Gotta test out my new PVC airlift brewer thing.

Good luck brother! Teas can be hit or miss, and its all about timing. Please let us know how things progress! Peace, slow

 

[MMMi]

With respect to the Jrs, I'm either gonna run them topless inside the tent with medicinals -- or outside this summer on the deck with tomatoes.

 

[slowandeasy]

With respect to the Jrs, I'm either gonna run them topless inside the tent with medicinals -- or outside this summer on the deck with tomatoes.

You really dont like those Caps do you? Im hoping my Home made SIPs address the Cap issue to my satisfaction. I have a few Ideas. One is to just use a larger Container andcut a hole for the plant and cut the plastic lid that locks so it can be removed. I would have the SOIL in the section that the seedling is planted up to the rim. Then TAPER it down where the Lid is cut. Leaving that whole big section LOWER on purpouse. Allowing for Top Dressing in that section to bring it up level by the end of the grow. Zero Plastic Cap, just the lid that comes with the Tote. I like the idea, but will it work well? Also, I found the Cuty Pickers for cheap. HOWEVER, looking at the size it it slightly too LARGE. I dont like any planter being more than 24 inches long. The City Pickers are 24 1/2 x 20 inches I believe, so I wont be doing them ever due to size. This is why I chose the 12 Gal Tote, it is only 22x16. So they can fit in 2x4, 4x4, and 4x8 tents...which I have all of! Gonna go plant my G-Roc seeds. Will do both in Rootmakers, to save time and space for now. I have a lot going on, and have to start more seeds Monday...so I will be using Rootmakers for my seed starting to save space. I am making my new SIPs, and they are larger. I will opt to start in Rootmakers to save a lot of space and because it is colder out right now. Large Pots need more heat to start seeds directly, and I dont feel like experimenting on new SIPs with direct planting in Cold weather. Peace, slow

 

[MMMi]

You really dont like those Caps do you?

Nope.

Honestly, if the autpots work I'll stop re-inventing. They are SIPlike, with a infinite auto-filling reservoir. I can remove, re-order, and rotate without effort. Smaller form factor than the totes, but still almost 7g. I have a oscillating fan blowing right over the tops, keeping them unmoist. I figure around 2 weeks after transplant I'll start with nutrient teas. Shutoff the autopot the day prior so they get a little thirsty, top water goodies, flip it back on. Plain well water during the week.

The other option I considered for the totes was to cut out the middle of the lid, use that for the false bottom. Then you have a ringlid. Use landscape fabric or a trash bag for the cap, the ringlid locks it down. This method would allow you to have your mound. I looked at the city pickers too. Too big, too square. I landed on the 12g as well.

I had a couple dud seeds. I still struggle for some stupid reason with those rapid rooters. If the dimple at the bottom is pronounced, it runs super wet. Had a few tails that just petered out, probably too damp. Working on it. I slapped a couple beans straight into my soil (no soak) as a backup and 2/3 of them are little perfect beauties. Environment may have played a part though. Big tent is dialed in and running 24/0 now so I just germed in main tent.

 

[slowandeasy]

Nope.

Honestly, if the autpots work I'll stop re-inventing. They are SIPlike, with a infinite auto-filling reservoir. I can remove, re-order, and rotate without effort. Smaller form factor than the totes, but still almost 7g. I have a oscillating fan blowing right over the tops, keeping them unmoist. I figure around 2 weeks after transplant I'll start with nutrient teas. Shutoff the autopot the day prior so they get a little thirsty, top water goodies, flip it back on. Plain well water during the week.

The other option I considered for the totes was to cut out the middle of the lid, use that for the false bottom. Then you have a ringlid. Use landscape fabric or a trash bag for the cap, the ringlid locks it down. This method would allow you to have your mound. I looked at the city pickers too. Too big, too square. I landed on the 12g as well.

I had a couple dud seeds. I still struggle for some stupid reason with those rapid rooters. If the dimple at the bottom is pronounced, it runs super wet. Had a few tails that just petered out, probably too damp. Working on it. I slapped a couple beans straight into my soil (no soak) as a backup and 2/3 of them are little perfect beauties. Environment may have played a part though. Big tent is dialed in and running 24/0 now so I just germed in main tent.

Rapid Rooters are a waste of money, Not sure why you you are wasting your time and money using those things? Did you germ them in paper towels and then plant into Rapid Rooters? It so that is double the mistakes.

 

[MMMi]

Rapid Rooters are a waste of money, Not sure why you you are wasting your time and money using those things? Did you germ them in paper towels and then plant into Rapid Rooters? It so that is double the mistakes.

I was using them because I had them. No paper towel, I would pre-soak in water with a drop of h2o2 overnight first. Now that I use dirt, I'm leaning towards overnight soak then direct into intermediate containers, like thus:

 

[MrOldBoy]

I was using them because I had them. No paper towel, I would pre-soak in water with a drop of h2o2 overnight first. Now that I use dirt, I'm leaning towards overnight soak then direct into intermediate containers, like thus:
View attachment 1163675View attachment 1163677

For sure overnight soak, I do 24 hours myself with a little thrive b1 in the water - then they go into dirt, also scuff seed with sandpaper ..... Gave up on rapid rooters some time during Clinton Era, waste of precious time when starting indoor tomatoes but I bought into the idea back then ..... Good luck with grow! Peace MOB