Whattup Dude, Scotty, Guru & tha DGC!!! I’ll be going out of town for long enough to kill some plants and so I’d like to set up a BluMat system. Nothing large, just 1 or 2 plants each in a 5Gal Radicle Bag (2×4 tent). Are Radicle Bags a good fit with Blumat dripper systems, or would it be better to have a plastic pot to retain moisture better? If the drippers keep the soil moist at all times, when/how would I feed the plants nutrition without overwatering? I understand these are best suited for water only, however if I wanted to add some nutrition with synthetics, what would the crew recommend? I’ll be away from the grow for up to 8 days, is there anything I should consider or plan for that I might not otherwise think about until its too late? Any input is very much appreciated. #growerslove
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You can use clean synthetic nutrients. Here’s a little info. Take the time to dial in the moisture level or you’ll risk over or under watering. Also you’ll want to make sure everything is working and will continue to work before just letting them go on their own. Check it with low res level too.
https://www.irrigation.equipment/guide-to-nutrients-blumat-systems/
Personally, I’d never add nutrients to my reservoir for Blumats; and I know Blumats prefers you just use water. IF you DO go that route you’ll need to do a couple of things: 1. You’ll need to i stall an agitator/mixer in your reservoir to make SURE everything stays in solution at all times. 2. You’ll need to cut back on your nutrient solution – remember, Blumats work on soil moisture and not on a plant’s hunger. So, it would be very easy to overfeed your plants because airflow or bag type (Radicle bags are the WORST) or humidity/temp dries your soil out and causes way more nutrient solution to enter the soil.
IMO, and I do run Blumats, you just feed your nutrients from the top. When you set your Blumats up, set them to keep your soil JUST slightly drier than most of us organic growers Obviously, since you’re “feeding” plants, you’re not an organic grower, which is what Blumats are best for; but this is the work-around for a salt grower. When it’s time to feed, apply your feed from the top as you always have. Yes, this will make the soil extra moist but it’s NOT going to drown your plants. Keep in mind that Blumat sensors will pick up on that extra moisture and will shut off all water flow to the plant until the plant has taken up enough of your feeding solution, and enough evaporation has occurred, before allowing more moisture to go to your soil. It’s all about how you set up your system. My number 1 piece of advice would be to call Blumats/Sustainable Village and talk to “Michael Box” or call Dr Ben Higgins at KIS Organics and verify what I said. Boothe great guys, willing to help growers of all levels.
FURTHER UNSOLICITED ADVICE:
1. Blumats work best, in my experience, in larger containers. If at all possible, I’d go to a 7-10 gallon fabric container; and get away from Radicle bags – they dry up along the outside WAY too quickly for the type of growing that Blumats are designed for. The best fabric pots I know of for Blumats are the “Living Soil Pots” from GrassRoots Fabric Pots. Remember, Blumats are designed to maintain a specific (grower-chosen) level of moisture and avoid dry spots and moisture swings. These are characteristics totally opposite of what Radicle Bags are designed for. For MAINTAINING soil moisture you want a bag that holds in some moisture instead of providing every possible way to release moisture. I hear they’re great for coco growers and other hydro systems. Blumats are designed for soil grows and, specifically, for a ‘living’ type soil.
2. If you’re looking to automate your grow to a point where you can step away from your grow for a week or so, I think you’ll have more success, and better success, if you either grow with a water-only type soil OR pick up a granular type feed/amendment (like Gaia Green or even a tablet like BioTabs) that you can top dress every week or two. IF you can find an organic amendment that’ll work for you and won’t hurt worms, add some worms to each pot; and just them help transport/move nutrition down into the soil. The constant moisture in soil that Blumats provide, WILL allow top-dressed nutrition to move down through the soil profile; and worms will cause slight disruptions in the soil that will further speed up movement of nutrition down into the soil profile.
3. 2 plants in a 5 gallon pot it silly. No offense meant but it will stunt your plants. They need more room for their roots. More roots = bigger fruits. In my experience, the smallest pot to even think about holding 2 cannabis plants is 15 gallon. 1 healthy plant in 7 gallons will produce more than 2 plants in a 5g, 7g or even a 10 gallon.
I totally get the need to step away from the grow for work sometimes. I’m totally sympathetic! I think 100% organic living, water-only soil is the way to achieve your goal most easily, especially with Blumats. They are AMAZING! However, they have their quirks, like anything else. What I’ve pointed out is just from my experience and research and the help of Michael and Ben. Do t be afraid to reach out to them for your particular situation. Hope this helps!
-@DTOM420
P.S. I’m finishing up a complete rebuild of my indoor grow that includes a whole new RO system and a pump system I built for my Blumats – it’s the identical pump system as Blumats sells (same exact parts) but it cost about $100 instead of the $300+ that Blumats charges. I will probably post the directions here on DGC but I’ll definitely have it on my IG page.
DTOM420, thank you!!! This is exactly what I needed to hear! My local grow store has some fabric pots, I’ll try to compare them to Grass Roots, but I might resort to the standard plastic pot.. I do love my Radicle Bags, however I’ve experienced the same fast-drying sides that you described and you just confirmed my primary concern. For me, the bags are best suited for when you plan on up-potting the plants.
Bigger roots bigger fruits! I only have a 2×4 tent, but I’m happy to scrog out a single plant in 7-10 Gal. I feel like 20 Gal is too big for a 2×4. I love the idea of granular amendments + worms for feeding, so I’ll probably be going that route.
You mentioned using an RO system, which isn’t something I have available to me. How clean/pure does the water need to be? I have a hose-end charcoal filter that removes VOCs but I’m not sure it filters out dissolved calcium. Would a HydroLogic Small Boy filter be sufficient or is water straight from the tap feasible to use? On a side note, I do plan on having a small pump in the reservoir stirring & agitating the water.
Thanks again for the invaluable feedback!
#growerslove
I just re-read some of the comments, DTOM420…. #3 about 5-Gal pots… I wouldn’t put 2 plants in 1 pot. If I had 2 plants, each would be in their own 5-Gal. What do you think… 1 plant in a 10-Gal still better than 2 plants each in their own 5-Gal? Same difference?