Hand Watering Hydroponics?

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Well-Known Member
i read this on the internet. its called hand watering hydroponics and it is the plant grown in the medium (perlite, coconut coir etc.) and it is just hand watered with the proper nutrients in the water. My question is: does this sound like it will work???
 

dankciti

Well-Known Member
its even easier if you get a pump and timer and can capably use them.

set it forget it. check your plants between bowls.

but hand watering the first time would def help you gauge how much nut to use as well as watering intervals
 

bigbudheadshrimp

Well-Known Member
I KNOW OLD THREAD, but I have some good info so why not.

I recommend using a soilless medium that retains water well such as rockwool or coco. Use hydroton and you will be hand watering every few hours lol. Another recommendation, do not let the medium dry out completely. If you do then expect slower growth on par with soil. You really only need to let it dry out completely after a flush which should be done every 2-3 weeks. When flushing use water with an EC/PPM and pH that's been measured and check the initial runoff. Depending on the results, keep flushing or adjust your reservoir solution as needed.
 

TheTimeKeeper

Well-Known Member
Works a treat, but everyone I know who used to handwater coco/perlite mix I've converted to pump/timer and min 3 feeds a light cycle, growth is over double with the timer feeds... they never go back to handwatering....
 

xwant2LeaRNx

Well-Known Member
Works a treat, but everyone I know who used to handwater coco/perlite mix I've converted to pump/timer and min 3 feeds a light cycle, growth is over double with the timer feeds... they never go back to handwatering....
That makes sense ! A pump and a timer !
 

Aeroknow

Well-Known Member
Works a treat, but everyone I know who used to handwater coco/perlite mix I've converted to pump/timer and min 3 feeds a light cycle, growth is over double with the timer feeds... they never go back to handwatering....
I do both, and kill it both ways.
When coco first came out, i was dripping 3-4 times(max) a light cycle. 16 plants in 1gal mesh bottom pots, per 1000w. Too many plants for our setups these days. 16 x 12+ lights = pushing it. Anyways, most of my friends and I grow anywhere from 4-9 plants per light now, usually in 5gal pots, sometimes 7gal. Watering with a water wand. We kill it.
Now, if your talking hand watering small pots compared to automated(drip)feedings of small pots, not even comparable. My experience is the same as yours.
I still do rock 16 plants per once in a while. Actually I use the Basket Drip Stakes. Not really a drip. And usually get the same yields as hand water bigger pots, with everything else being the same. And of course, the hand watered bigger pots get more veg.
But if shit becomes legal, and plant counts don't matter, i'm gonna be either drip feeding 1 gal mesh bottom pots, or go back to growing in tubes. Peace
 
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auswolf

Well-Known Member
I hand water running 75% perlite 25% vermi, but that being said I leave my pots sitting in a tray of run off so the plants can feed/drink 24/7. Perlite acts as a wick but keeps enough oxygen, so plants can't be overwatered.

I used to dump the run off, and still got impressive results. But now letting em feed 24/7 the difference is huge, not to mention I only have 3 plants atm and there consuming around 4 and half litres per 24 hours. It becomes obvious I couldn't supply enough fluid by just hand watering.
 
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