For soil, do I need to put holes in a 5 gallon bucket?

I have four females growing good and healthy in 5 gallon buckets. I originally bought the buckets to grow hydroponically, but I had soil on hand and knew I could always buy more buckets later, so I started them all in soil.

Anyways, I know over watering is the main killer to indoor grows. I water them daily. Every time the soil looks dry to me, I splash some new nutrient rich water in there. I use a 2 quart jug, and share that with the four plants, once per day minimum.

I vagualy remember someone telling me that I need to drill holes in the bottom of my 5 gallon buckets, and then add enough water to my soil until it comes out the bottom of my 5 gallon bucket.

Also heard that with holes in the bottom of the bucket, it helps get oxygen to the soil and that without it, your soil and roots will turn into mold.

I still do not have holes in my bucket and things seem fine.

Any opinions or facts on this would be great and taken seriously.

Holes in your buckets at the bottom will tell you if you`ve wattered enough..Good Luck.

You need holes..anyone who knows anything about anything knows that..especially if your watering every day(probably too often)

i would put the holes in the bottom sides of your buckets if they r reg buckets like paint or home depot there is a hump at the bottom if not drilled on sides water could stay and get stagnant also agree with drifter123 water needs too come out the bottom then u know u watered enough gotta saturate

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Hey UPFreeBird!

You do need holes, both to see if you're getting flow through as Drifter mentioned (bottom of root ball wet) and just as importantly to let out excess water so your bottom roots don't drown and you get root rot.

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" I water them daily. Every time the soil looks dry to me, I splash some new nutrient rich water in there. I use a 2 quart jug, and share that with the four plants, once per day minimum."

Bobsgreen is correct, you are probably watering too often if your plants have a developed root system. If they're seedlings started in 5 gallon pots ignore the rest for now but it'll help you later.

Water the bucket, with normal nutes (I use 1/2 strength nutes and feed every watering), until you get water run through the holes in the bottom of your bucket. Lift and remember the weight. The bucket will take a week to 2 weeks depending on your plant, the heat, humidity, etc. Shorter with a big plant where it's hot and dry during flower.

When the bucket needs 2 gallons of water - lift 2 gallons of water, or weigh it, and subtract that from a dripping bucket. When the bucket is that light you water your plant. Lift the bucket method.

Lots involved in the root system, some info in this thread:

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/303229-diy-air-pruning-pot-experiment.html

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What kind of "soil" are you using? A peat moss mix like Pro Mix or a sandy mix like cactus soil?

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agree also with bobsgreen prob waterin too much gonna wind up drownin em or they wont grow very big soil needs to dry if the roots r wet all the time no need for em to spread out and look for water and nutes

holes are a must
at the bottom in the center of your 5gal buckits there is a 1in size circle that looks like its made to be removed. this is the size i make my hole
but sence you are already useing it to grow in the best way would be to get more buckits and put holes in them then trans plant into them
i would advise against attempting to put holes in a buckit that is being used

Well it seems that I am a dumbass cuz I don't have holes in my 5 gallon buckets.
With that known, I will put holes in the buckets today.

My four beauties are 14-17" tall now and have been veggin for two months.
This is my first grow, and it has been rough.

I had a 1000W MH bulb on them, and it was a fucking sauna. My thermo maxed out at 120 degrees, and she was pegged.
About two weeks ago I installed a 400W MH bulb. This is MUCH better and my plants are growing much healthier now. The temp is my room is now around 85. Still kind of high, but no where near like what it was, so I'm happy with that.

My soil is FOX FARM Forest Ocean.
My nutrients is FOX FARM Tiger Bloom.

takes time lotta shit to learn this site is great for info if u dont know or not sure ask chances r somebody on here knows i learn new shit every day

Agreed! This site is very useful when it comes to getting questions answered.

Always have drainage hole's in the bottom of any tub...................tyke.............................................................................