Saw Root nubs on some at Day 8 (1-2 days later than “usual”). On Day 9, I added RapidStart to the rez. I have also applied Clonex Mist every 2-3 days since cutting.
I turned off all but 1 of the T5s because after the first couple of days it seemed perhaps they were getting more light than needed.
Hopeful that there will be some decent development over the next couple of days and I’ll update pics them.
@Rangi_Kijani, Great , it's nice to see a bit of detail on peoples set ups even though I'm not doing hydro I like to educate myself as much as possible before jumping into something.
@Philindicus, I just uploaded 1 pic to Wk 3 of the "central cooling system". Basically, I have a 1/4 hp chiller that keeps a 50 gal cold water rez at about 45°F. I have many "zones" running out from, and back to, the cold water rez. Some are used to cool the box reservoirs. In those cases, I have stainless steel coils that the water flows through placed inside the reservoirs. An Inkbird controller monitors the rez temp, and when it rises to 69°F, it powers a solenoid valve that opens, allowing the cold water to flow through the coils. Once the rez temp gets back to 68, the solenoid valve closes. Similarly, I have PC Gaming radiators attached to the intake fans on the boxes. So, when the temp gets above the set value, a solenoid opens and cold water flows through the radiator cooling the intake air.
To provide continuous pressure to the "zones" I use a Grundfos "smart pump" which increases/decreases pressure/head depending on the current demands of the zones (i.e., how many are open at any given time), and it actually "learns" the system so it becomes more efficient over time.
I've got lots of pics of this setup (and how it has evolved through MUCH trial and even MORE error!) ... but not sure on Grow Diaries whether it's cool to deviate onto setup type posts, vs growing posts?? Maybe I should try one of the "questions" that I see available to me! Thanks very much for your interest!
@Psilocubensis,nutrient solution is maintained at 68°F +/- 1°F. The “cold” from the water inside coils is quickly transferred to and dissipated throughout the solution. Water conducts heat 20x faster than air. 😎
@Black_Magic,the aero Cloner doesn’t have room for either the vegetative or root growth. After 2 wks in the Cloner (after cutting from the mom) space is already getting tight!
It’s a very cool idea though. Actually this grow box is designed with a “bubbleponics” system in that it is DWC but the airstones create a spritzing of the roots that are in the air - between the net pot and the water surface - mKing it similar also to aeroponics.
In my setup, I’ve ditched the air stones in favour of the O2 Grow electrolysis unit and I keep my water level <1” below the pots.
@freshwaterjellyfish,TYVM. Those are Growstones (GS-1) which are made from recycled glass. They suggest that they have better properties re water/air balance than hydroton 🤷♂️🏻 But they seem to work well and certainly less issues with overwatering than could be the case with Rockwool imo
Just added a quick panning video to Wk 4 Veg. I was struck this morning at lights on how much they had grown over the past 24 hrs. Even that 1 in the front (2nd from right) that has been slow to drop roots and looks a bit rough up top is almost there.should have roots in the water by tomorrow. Finally. Lol. 😎
Day 10. 16/24 have rooted. I only need 17 (max) plants for this crop, so it’s fine in that respect, but a bit puzzled why I didn’t get 100% as I have over the past year. Hmmmm.
Well, I’m a bit stumped. End of Day 7 and not even Root nubs have formed. Over the past year, I’ve had 100% rooting within 8-9 days.
Differences with this round:
- clones taken from a new mother plant (a daughter of the mother I used for cloning for a year)
- used Mantis Nutrients vs my typical mix
With Clonex
- Clonex rooting gel was unopened, but at end of BB date. Seemed ok, but a bit thin.
- Cloner is in tent vs grow box (although almost identical temp/Rh etc).
Hmmmmm.
Took 24 cuttings this morning. Running MANTIS Buffered Nutrients @ the singular rate of 5 ml/L (seed to harvest) with UC Roots @ 1.5 ml/L to kept the Rez sterile.