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Photographers,
note the difference between the first two photos. Same camera, but the
left photo was under 470 w of light, and one on the right I turned off
the 400, and used only the 70W HPS for lighting.
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Once the root-ball is well formed, let the level drop down to around
half to prevent root-rot. A well established plant will drink a lot, so
check the reservoir daily so the plant never runs low. |
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Start with a white food service bucket, the kind
used for restaurant supplies like mayo or canola oil. Never use one that
has had toxic substances in it, they can't be washed out properly, and
the residues can be harmful to the plant, or to you if to you ingest or
smoke it.
Cover the bucket on the outside to make it light
proof. It must be dark inside to prevent algae from growing in the
nutrient solution. I recommend aluminum duct tape, because it will
darken the inside, but will reflect heat away and prevent it from from
building up in the nutrients. Make sure to be thorough, and leave no
light cracks.
Cut a 5 1/2" hole in the lid to fit the 6" net-pot
that will fit in the top, making it as close to the center as possible,
then cover the top with aluminum tape as well.
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Drill a small hole in the side of the bucket, near
the top and push the airline "T" connection through so that the crossbar
is on the inside, and the airline can be attached on the outside of the
bucket. Secure the T-bar connection with some hot glue to hold it in
place.
Run a length of airline with an air-stone down to
the bottom of the bucket on either side.
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Reminder:
"Candle" the bucket, and check for inside light leaks. Cracks in the
taping job can promote algae growth.
Once the bucket is covered, and the airlines and
stones are installed, you are ready to start it up and place your
net-pot with the clone in the top hole.
Fill the bucket half-way, and run the airs-tones
to test your pump pressure. The bubbles should be very vigorous, so the
bubbles splash up onto the net pot and drip into the reservoir.
Hanging the fine mesh net-pot an inch ABOVE
the nutrient level, will make your capacity between 2-3 gal.
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Plant the rooted clone or seedling into the
Perlite filled net pot, and soak the medium well.
To keep the algae from growing on the top layer of
the white Perlite, cover it with a layer of dark sand. That will keep
the light out, and prevent the algae from growing, using nutes and
messing with your pH levels.
Mix up you nutrient solution at Rooting & seedling
strength shown in the link below, and place the net pot with the clone
in the lid. Scoop out a cup of the nutrient solution, and after you have
put the lid on the bubbler and fired it up, gently pour it evenly over
the rooting medium to make sure the roots will have a supply of
nutrients to get started. put them under 24/7, and away we go!!!
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Here's a close-up of the awesome size of the
trunk. At only 10" tall, the stem is already over 1/4" thick. As you go
along, drain and replace the solution at least once every 12 days. Also,
take a sniff, and if you smell an acrid smell, scrub out the reservoir
with vinegar and a brush to "sweeten" it again.
Note that I have wrapped aluminum tape around the
side of the pot, attaching it to the lid. I noticed a light leak, and
the roots were yellowing. (NOT good.) They have improved since I did
this. (they should be nice and white)
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