altitudefarmer
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Ok, I inherited a ton of WaterFarm systems- the idiots who set up this mmc grow had no clue how to grow efficiently. They originally were using bamboo stakes and un-modified waterfarm systems to produce a ton of 1-3oz, hideously overfed, unflushed, disease and pest-ridden plants. It was more of a mite ranch and bacteria culture operation.
Now I had to make the best of a bad situation; we're doing our best with what we have to work with. I removed several of the systems in order to grow larger plants, drilled extra holes in the bottom of the 'net pots', so the roots could reach easily down to the nutrient solution, and added airstones to each bucket. This was my best attempt at turbo-charging the waterfarms.
I also purchased the extra-large tomato cages at Ace Hardware- in bulk they were $4.50 each. (a real bargain when you think about what a PITA trellis can be...). I cut the bottom stakes off the cages, and the bottom ring slipped right around the 'net pot' and locked right into place. As I'm watching these girls develop, I am guesstimating at least 4 oz per plant; some will yield 5-6 oz.
Also, this many waterfarms would be a huge PITA to flush on a weekly basis, so I switched to H&G nutrients because their "Drip Clean" offers a continuous flush- no need to flush every week at rez change. I did have to tweak their feeding schedule due to N-sensitive strains, but I am very happy overall with the results so far.
The lights will eventually be moved closer together to give the top canopy more lumens, and other changes will be made as I have the time. This project was a vast undertaking- the grow was filthy, bugs everywhere, and generally just a total failure by some guys who thought that a couple semi-successful closet grows qualified them to grow on a large scale for sick people. We are now pathogen/pest-free, clean, and the girls are loving life. My work is just about to hit the top shelves of the shop- just waiting on my say-so that the cure is complete.
Here's a couple shots of one of the bloom rooms:
Now I had to make the best of a bad situation; we're doing our best with what we have to work with. I removed several of the systems in order to grow larger plants, drilled extra holes in the bottom of the 'net pots', so the roots could reach easily down to the nutrient solution, and added airstones to each bucket. This was my best attempt at turbo-charging the waterfarms.
I also purchased the extra-large tomato cages at Ace Hardware- in bulk they were $4.50 each. (a real bargain when you think about what a PITA trellis can be...). I cut the bottom stakes off the cages, and the bottom ring slipped right around the 'net pot' and locked right into place. As I'm watching these girls develop, I am guesstimating at least 4 oz per plant; some will yield 5-6 oz.
Also, this many waterfarms would be a huge PITA to flush on a weekly basis, so I switched to H&G nutrients because their "Drip Clean" offers a continuous flush- no need to flush every week at rez change. I did have to tweak their feeding schedule due to N-sensitive strains, but I am very happy overall with the results so far.
The lights will eventually be moved closer together to give the top canopy more lumens, and other changes will be made as I have the time. This project was a vast undertaking- the grow was filthy, bugs everywhere, and generally just a total failure by some guys who thought that a couple semi-successful closet grows qualified them to grow on a large scale for sick people. We are now pathogen/pest-free, clean, and the girls are loving life. My work is just about to hit the top shelves of the shop- just waiting on my say-so that the cure is complete.
Here's a couple shots of one of the bloom rooms:
