4 plants in 1 bucket concept. Will it work?

[kbone123]

I'm hoping to create a system that lets me run 4 plants in the same bucket (a large tote). The 4 plants would be feminized autoflowering seeds from the same breed (meaning they are bred from the same parents).

The issue that I believe most have (other than one being male which shouldn't be an issue here) is that the roots tend to tangle, and one can start to "strangle" the others.

I'm thinking that I may be able to rectify that by hanging fabric pots under the net pots and maybe cutting some holes in the bottom to allow airstones to get air to the roots. This would hopefully contain the majority of the root ball without really restricting it too much.

My reasoning for wanting to do it this way is complex and specific to my situation, but it is important to me.

Do you all think it can work using this or a similar method?

 

[Airwalker16]

Interesting idea with the fabric pots. But holes in the bottom will let your roots escape through the holes. And they will. But you can do 4 per tote. Ita not ideal, but you'll be fine. Especially if they're all the same auto strain from the same pack.

 

[kbone123]

Interesting idea with the fabric pots. But holes in the bottom will let your roots escape through the holes. And they will. But you can do 4 per tote. Ita not ideal, but you'll be fine. Especially if they're all the same auto strain from the same pack.

Thanks. I was thinking I'd leave plenty of small holes (about the size of a pen) that would do their best to restrict root growth but allow air bubbles to make their way in. The way I figured it would play out is that the roots would find a way, but hopefully be prevented from strangling the others.

I guess the alternative could be sticking the air stones themselves in the fabric pots.

 

[Airwalker16]

Thanks. I was thinking I'd leave plenty of small holes (about the size of a pen) that would do their best to restrict root growth but allow air bubbles to make their way in. The way I figured it would play out is that the roots would find a way, but hopefully be prevented from strangling the others.

I guess the alternative could be sticking the air stones themselves in the fabric pots.

That's a better idea. Because roots will find their way through even mesh filters. Trust me. It can't hahave any opening at all. But like I said, if they're the same auto strain from same seedpack, you'll be fine.

 

[29menace]

It will work m8, I used to put 6 in a 25 litre bucket.
All same strain and we're clones , vegged for 2-3wks after rooting then flowered with success.

I never worried about roots tangling together whatsoever and not once did I ever run into problems putting 6 in a single bucket.

 

[Mechanicalbuds]

I have 4 mothers veggin in a 3 gal bucket. All in one 5 inch net pot. RDWC. 30 gal res. The roots are half filling the bucket. Very thick. These have been growing for over a year with several clone runs from them. Never had rot or anything. As long as they are happy, so am I!

 

[firsttimeARE]

I have a similar setup and 3 autos same strain and 2 are 36 inches and the other is 12 lol.

Once the other two started growing I had to move my light up and the smaller one just lagged behind cause the inverse square law.

Roots tangling arent that big of an issue. Just force them apart with your fingers in the water. They will separate. Some people purposely cut their roots and the roots explode sort of how they do off cuts and node sites on a clone.

 

[Mechanicalbuds]

Roots tangling arent that big of an issue. Just force them apart with your fingers in the water. They will separate. Some people purposely cut their roots and the roots explode sort of how they do off cuts and node sites on a clone.

So this brings up something a friend suggested, to cut off some roots after I take cuttings. Reason being just to keep the plant to root ratio similar all the time.

I'm sure there may be some kind of slime or something in the center of my root mass, but I'm not going to dig in to find out. They stay healthy, I try to disturb them as little as possible.

 

[Airwalker16]

I have a similar setup and 3 autos same strain and 2 are 36 inches and the other is 12 lol.

Once the other two started growing I had to move my light up and the smaller one just lagged behind cause the inverse square law.

Roots tangling arent that big of an issue. Just force them apart with your fingers in the water. They will separate. Some people purposely cut their roots and the roots explode sort of how they do off cuts and node sites on a clone.

I noticed recently after putting a mom into the flower tent from a tote with multiple plants and very tangled roots(to fill a spot where one died) to veg for a week and flower with the rest, the roots were like they get in a non circulating reservoir. Long, thick l, brown and not very robust almost like ropes right? They have EXPLODED now that they're in a 30gal setup that is recirculated and chilled to 68*F.
All new white roots blowing out the top of the netpot and majorly out the bottom. Its seriously blowing my mind.

 

[Airwalker16]

So this brings up something a friend suggested, to cut off some roots after I take cuttings. Reason being just to keep the plant to root ratio similar all the time.

I'm sure there may be some kind of slime or something in the center of my root mass, but I'm not going to dig in to find out. They stay healthy, I try to disturb them as little as possible.

If you can see rot in the center, dont just let it be. It will spread and destroy everything.

 

[Mechanicalbuds]

If you can see rot in the center, dont just let it be. It will spread and destroy everything.

I ment I don't see signs of any. They are just thick woven together roots. I guess they do kinda looks like ropes....

 

[Mechanicalbuds]

I noticed recently after putting a mom into the flower tent from a tote with multiple plants and very tangled

So you had to cut it apart from the others right? I would imagine the cutting has more to do with the new growth than the size of the rex. Chiller helps too

 

[Airwalker16]

So you had to cut it apart from the others right? I would imagine the cutting has more to do with the new growth than the size of the rex. Chiller helps too

Nah I just pulled gently and had a few rips here n there but it came out with enough finesse.

 

[Mechanicalbuds]

I can see that. They do seem to move around...

 

[firsttimeARE]

Cold water and plenty of O2 makes good roots. I find the splashing from the bubbles creates nice fuzzy roots in a 5 gal. All my tote systems aren't sealed as well as a 5 gal gets and less humidity I think is why I don't get fuzzy roots in totes. I mean they do get fuzzy but not as much as my bubble buckets.

 

[Mechanicalbuds]

I've never used auto's, but ill say there is no reason not to put 4 in one tote. As long as other factors are met. Like dissolved O2, nutes, ect

 

[firsttimeARE]

My clones in aero when I transfer them I spiral the roots on the bottom and filled hydroton in while I spiral up. Roots explode from the sides of the roots. Similar to scrogging or LST on branches. And in the winter they are so white and crisp. Nothing better than seeing a nice white bunch of fuzzy roots.

This last batch of clones had serpent tongue like roots. It was like two spaghetti noodles fused together but split at the end. Was weird. Never saw that before lol

 

[Mechanicalbuds]

Good god man! Very healthy system

 

[firsttimeARE]

Here is my clone to 2 week totes

I use 27gal HDX totes from Home Depot and use a 4" hole saw and wide lip 4" netpots. cZ hydroponics on Amazon sells them.

 

[athomegrowing]

I'm hoping to create a system that lets me run 4 plants in the same bucket (a large tote). The 4 plants would be feminized autoflowering seeds from the same breed (meaning they are bred from the same parents).

The issue that I believe most have (other than one being male which shouldn't be an issue here) is that the roots tend to tangle, and one can start to "strangle" the others.

I'm thinking that I may be able to rectify that by hanging fabric pots under the net pots and maybe cutting some holes in the bottom to allow airstones to get air to the roots. This would hopefully contain the majority of the root ball without really restricting it too much.

My reasoning for wanting to do it this way is complex and specific to my situation, but it is important to me.

Do you all think it can work using this or a similar method?

I think you should use nylon stockings to contain the roots. Secure the stocking to the bottom so the bag doesn't twist. Place the airstone at the bottom of the stocking bag. Update me if you try it, I think it's a revolutionary concept.