[Cascadia]

I have not actually observed Marijuana growing in a earthbox, so its hard to tell how to judge potential harvest, I'm sure it depends on the quality of the soil/fertilizers you use.
That said, the Tomato plants I have observed were huge, the Original Earthbox website says that a original Earthbox should produce 30-40 pounds of Tomatoes per year in good climates, and the original version only holds about 19 gallons of soil, larger homemade versions could contain 25-40 gallons or more, and I imagine yields could be quite good there.

I'm pretty sure a larger Earthbox made from a 40 or 50 gallon tote could grow plants in the 1-2 pound range. Bigger than I'm interested in growing, but I bet it can be done. I'm going to shoot for 1/4lb to 1/2lb plants in 18 gallon totes, I'm pretty sure that will work.


This pic shows how to extend the time between visits, by connecting a external reservoir, the external cannot be taller than the internal one in the planter or it will flood your roots.

[whodi]

The original earthbox has drainage holes in the back i noticed. Does that drawing have drainage? Or does it jsut drain back into the res? And what are those 3 seperate blue things? Is that where the water wicks? I notied one DIY earthbox used coco or peat to wick.

I wonder how much water these things would use daily

[Cascadia]

That drawing is just to show the external reservoir in relation to the earthbox, and the level it should sit at, it is not a accurate representation of the earthbox, nor is it meant to be. In the drawing, the blue represents water, the brown is soil, but since it is a drawing meant only to show the external reservoir idea, I'll stop any further description.

Water use depends on the size plant growing from the planter, the temperature, the intensity and hours of sunshine, etc. Its just hard to tell, I'm going to have about 15 gallons of water to begin with, and I may add another 10 gallons if thats not enough to get me a full 2-3 weeks between visits.
If I was you, I'd start smaller, 2 pound plants are going to use a fair ammount of water no matter what.

[BACKCOUNTRY]

For me, I see these Earthboxes not so much as a opportunity to grow bigger plants, but more as a opportunity to utilize the water I haul or store more efficiently, which could allow me to grow more plants and more bud with the same amount of time and effort spent.

[whodi]

hmmmm.

Do you guys plan on burrying these earthboxes.. they dont seem low profile above ground. What about covering the spout where you pour water in? is that necessary to keep pests away.. etc?

[whodi]

I don't have a lot of experience with outdoor growing but plan to start.

I can get pound per plant under 1000 watt's with a 2 1/2 month veg time.. LST in 10 gallon containers indoors. I don't see why we couldn't achieve this outdoors in earthboxes.. considering sunlight is much more powerful than any 1000 watt light.

[Cascadia]

You do that is soil huh? I don't have much experience indoors, but outdoors that would be a very good return for 10 gallons of soil. I think it can be done, I have a feeling I could probably go with a smaller planter to get the 4-8oz I am looking for, guess I'll find out this summer.

Good luck! Come share any of your experience you can with us, I think by summer 2010 there will be a Earthbox "revolution".

What size planter do you think you are gonna go with?

[whodi]

As long as you have enough water for the plants to drink daily and the right soil/fertilizer.. I think you could do very well with the earthbox. The external rez should be great. I was thinking a 50 gallon tote with 30 gallons of soil and 20 gallons worth of water for the rez. I shouldn't need an external rez. You can mod a 50 gallon rubbermaid tote to do this right? I'm willing to bet the 18 gal earthbox with external rez could pull in a pound easily if everything is just right.

Sure, bigger rootmass and room for roots to grow will yield bigger and grow bigger. However, even with a smaller container you can still get big plants and big yields as long as you have enough water for the plant each day... and of course good soil/fertilizer.

I don't know how well wick systems work so I'm not sure if that's a disadvantage or not.. but by the looks of the tomatoes and all... it doesn't seem to be bad

It'll be interesting to see how it all goes down. I got a feeling there will be an earthbox revolution as well. Good luck everyone.

[Cascadia]

Sounds good bro!

[BACKCOUNTRY]

I'm thinking I'd like to try a couple sizes of these this season. A couple made from 5 gallon buckets, and some made from 18 gallon totes. I'd make two types with the 18 gallon, some with 50/50 water/soil ratio, and some with 75% soil and 25% water, just to see if it makes a difference.

I was thinking about making some from 30 and 50 gallon totes, but I'm affraid the plants would get so big I'd be too affraid to make visits, LOL.

If I could find a size that regularly yielded 4-6 oz a planter, I'd be happier than a pig in slop!