switching off pump to let roots dry out? - Organic Hydro - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

Igignokt · 10-16-2009, 03:35 AM

I just started my first plant in hydro yesterday. It's just in a cup of hydroton, held over a reservoir with a drip ring on top. I was reading about tomato and pepper hydroponic growing, and I saw somebody mention tomatoes being healthy then suddenly dying. Should I be switching off my water pump on a schedule, or let the drip stay going?

tejashidrow · 10-18-2009, 11:29 AM

I am not a drip guy, E&F for me
HOWEVER since you are doing hydroponics, you DONT want your roots to dry. I do believe a steady drip is the way to go. T

Citizen024 · 10-18-2009, 11:34 AM

It depends on your container, but your watering could be anywhere from constant, to very frequent with your set up (at least 6 times a day). Keep an eye on the temp of the water and read up in the DWC threads about maintaining plant nutrient, etc.

ChaosCatalunya · 10-18-2009, 11:53 AM

from what I have seen, roots get used to what they have, in Aero they can be really just fluffy, in NFT channel runoff, just string...... changing the watering is not great as the roots are not the ideal type for the way the water comes.... if that makes sense !

experiments with NFT, following Glasshouse veg growers techniques, trying a 15on / 15off schedule quickly showed a 30% shortfall with intermittent watering. Since then I have noticed [untested, but pretty sure] that Active systems with water being pumped around will give more, quicker.

DWC boffins back in the UK are playing around with lowering and raising the solution, to great effect, one brand has even nicked my friends modification and made it part of the product as so many customers were asking for the mod. There is some ideas about bacteria liking raising/lowering of solution, a friend is telling me all about his Marine systems and wet/dry filters..... I think there is something in it and want to do some tests in this area next.

CovertCrops · 11-09-2009, 02:11 AM

anything from 24/7 to 15 min on/off to 5 min on 20 off. find what works best for you and keep it consistent. I top feed pots of hydroton, 15 min on 45 min off, im still experimenting. good luck

RussCargill · 11-27-2009, 08:02 AM

I am currently in a hydroton 5gal waterfarm setup. 30min(on)1hour(off) last cycle of the day is 15 on.

10-16-2009, 03:35 AM	#1
Igignokt Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 85	switching off pump to let roots dry out? I just started my first plant in hydro yesterday. It's just in a cup of hydroton, held over a reservoir with a drip ring on top. I was reading about tomato and pepper hydroponic growing, and I saw somebody mention tomatoes being healthy then suddenly dying. Should I be switching off my water pump on a schedule, or let the drip stay going?
	Quote

10-18-2009, 11:29 AM	#2
tejashidrow Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 302	I am not a drip guy, E&F for me HOWEVER since you are doing hydroponics, you DONT want your roots to dry. I do believe a steady drip is the way to go. T __________________ Good luck Good grow TjHidro Only the dead have seen the end of war - Plato BOW to my SMARTATUDE !!! You do not have to stop breathing to be dead....
	Quote

10-18-2009, 11:34 AM	#3
Citizen024 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 304	It depends on your container, but your watering could be anywhere from constant, to very frequent with your set up (at least 6 times a day). Keep an eye on the temp of the water and read up in the DWC threads about maintaining plant nutrient, etc. __________________ Deep Chunk x NorCal Afgoo- Coco w/Pura Vida
	Quote

10-18-2009, 11:53 AM	#4
ChaosCatalunya 5.2 club is now 8.1 club... Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nr Barcelona Posts: 4,039	from what I have seen, roots get used to what they have, in Aero they can be really just fluffy, in NFT channel runoff, just string...... changing the watering is not great as the roots are not the ideal type for the way the water comes.... if that makes sense ! experiments with NFT, following Glasshouse veg growers techniques, trying a 15on / 15off schedule quickly showed a 30% shortfall with intermittent watering. Since then I have noticed [untested, but pretty sure] that Active systems with water being pumped around will give more, quicker. DWC boffins back in the UK are playing around with lowering and raising the solution, to great effect, one brand has even nicked my friends modification and made it part of the product as so many customers were asking for the mod. There is some ideas about bacteria liking raising/lowering of solution, a friend is telling me all about his Marine systems and wet/dry filters..... I think there is something in it and want to do some tests in this area next. __________________ .....
	Quote

11-09-2009, 02:11 AM	#5
CovertCrops G.I. Grow Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: out to sea Posts: 250	anything from 24/7 to 15 min on/off to 5 min on 20 off. find what works best for you and keep it consistent. I top feed pots of hydroton, 15 min on 45 min off, im still experimenting. good luck __________________ Sea solids and coco + Azospirillum https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=166058 Coco-Ops https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=168471 2k Perpetual Multi-strain medical grow https://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=137222 DIY 24 Site Top-Fed Modules https://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=154679
	Quote

11-27-2009, 08:02 AM	#6
RussCargill Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 189	I am currently in a hydroton 5gal waterfarm setup. 30min(on)1hour(off) last cycle of the day is 15 on. __________________ "I want 10,000 tough guys, and 10, 000 soft guys to make the tough guys look tough." Russ Cargill "My Car Gets Forty Rods to the Hogshead and thats just the Ways I Like it." Abe Simpsons "Homer when you get home tonight there is going to be another story on your house." Hank Scorpio "No, rats couldn't be trapped this easily. You're trapped like... carrots." Russ Cargill
	Quote