After 40 yrs of growing in dirt (for the most part), I'm finally building an ebb and flo system and giving full-blow hydro a go for the first time. I've searched relevant threads and posts on the subject but can't really find a definate answer to my question, which is:
As I transplant my clones in red beer cups that are growing in a perlite/vermiculite mix into the 5.5 x 5.5 x 6.0 inch pots they'll bloom in -- can I just bury their smaller, undisturbed root balls in the lavarock and hydroton I'm using or will I forever regret not having washed all that off as the perl/verm mix somehow works its way into my system clogging drains, filters and just generally making a mess?
Might a good cap of hydroton prevent the undistrubed mix from floating out if I set the flood height low enough? We're not suppose to flood above the media's surface anyway but rather 4/5th of the way up or about an inch below that surface in my case. No?
Besides the mess issue, would leaving the old mix on retain too much water between flood cycles, or create a "dead zone" possibly leading to rot and oxygen issues? I'm just not sure if I should play it safe and try and eliminate as much of that stuff as possible, which will surely set the roots back a bit as they recover, or just bury it and hope for the best.
On another note: Does anyone think it a good idea to put a layer of this heavier, marble-like "pearock" I have in the bottom of each pot for added stability or might this possibly lead to an increase in pH?
Hopefully, someone who's seen this movie before will answer but I value everyone's opinion and thank anyone who takes the time to respond.
BTW, I'm having lots of fun building my E & F using the amazing ideas and resources available on this site and I look forward to sharing some pics and info once it's up and running.
Thanks ever so much, Ligyron
As I transplant my clones in red beer cups that are growing in a perlite/vermiculite mix into the 5.5 x 5.5 x 6.0 inch pots they'll bloom in -- can I just bury their smaller, undisturbed root balls in the lavarock and hydroton I'm using or will I forever regret not having washed all that off as the perl/verm mix somehow works its way into my system clogging drains, filters and just generally making a mess?
Might a good cap of hydroton prevent the undistrubed mix from floating out if I set the flood height low enough? We're not suppose to flood above the media's surface anyway but rather 4/5th of the way up or about an inch below that surface in my case. No?
Besides the mess issue, would leaving the old mix on retain too much water between flood cycles, or create a "dead zone" possibly leading to rot and oxygen issues? I'm just not sure if I should play it safe and try and eliminate as much of that stuff as possible, which will surely set the roots back a bit as they recover, or just bury it and hope for the best.
On another note: Does anyone think it a good idea to put a layer of this heavier, marble-like "pearock" I have in the bottom of each pot for added stability or might this possibly lead to an increase in pH?
Hopefully, someone who's seen this movie before will answer but I value everyone's opinion and thank anyone who takes the time to respond.
BTW, I'm having lots of fun building my E & F using the amazing ideas and resources available on this site and I look forward to sharing some pics and info once it's up and running.
Thanks ever so much, Ligyron