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27-gallon Kratky tote - restricted root experiment setup

Peter S

Peter S

So last year I grew two plants in this 27 gallon tote. I noticed they took forever to fruit, seemed to say in veg mode most of the season. This year I'm growing one plant in that same system, but restricting the root size to the volume of a 5-gallon bucket, while still allowing access to all the nutrients in the tote. I'll post updates throughout the season on how it does. I got this idea after seeing some similar experiments done by Andrew Higgenbottom, using a much smaller inner container. I think the 5-gallon size might mitigate some of the issues he was having.
 
https://youtu.be/v3P-oJXEjPI
 
dragonsfire said:
Maybe low in the Bloom nutrients.
Click to expand...
I forgot to mention, last year when I ran it I used Flora Nova Grow, then later switched to Flora Nova Bloom. I've had good results fruiting with the Dyna-Gro7-9-5 with other system, so I'm going to stick with this one throughout. 
 
Hi Peter, inspired by you I also wanted to try a float-valve controlled Kratky setup. What I have is a trash can as a reservoir and then the float valve in a master 5-gal bucket. I've since raised the level of the trash can so there is a little more water pressure. The benefit of the master bucket is that no roots will ever interfere with the float valve.
 
48087116891_16577cb429_c.jpg

 
Then from the master bucket, it feeds all the individual plant buckets. Each plant bucket has a valve and was started full but once the level dropped to close to the master bucket, I opened the valve and allowed it to be fed from the trash can.
 
48087152873_e197f5c222_c.jpg

 
Thank you for all your videos and tutorials - I wouldn't have had the first clue about this without your sharing of information.
 
Siv said:
Hi Peter, inspired by you I also wanted to try a float-valve controlled Kratky setup. What I have is a trash can as a reservoir and then the float valve in a master 5-gal bucket. I've since raised the level of the trash can so there is a little more water pressure. The benefit of the master bucket is that no roots will ever interfere with the float valve.
 
48087116891_16577cb429_c.jpg

 
Then from the master bucket, it feeds all the individual plant buckets. Each plant bucket has a valve and was started full but once the level dropped to close to the master bucket, I opened the valve and allowed it to be fed from the trash can.
 
48087152873_e197f5c222_c.jpg

 
Thank you for all your videos and tutorials - I wouldn't have had the first clue about this without your sharing of information.
Click to expand...
That's awesome! Thanks for sharing that.
 
rfchisholm said:
Siv ...
What does your bulkhead connection to the 5-gal bucket look like?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I don't really have a bulkhead on it, although it'd be more secure. I'm just using 1/2" top hat grommets and 1/2" barbed connectors. You can see the setup here.
https://youtu.be/fgr1XYrZsy8
 
rfchisholm said:
Siv ...
What does your bulkhead connection to the 5-gal bucket look like?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
Peter's videos are what I followed for the float valve: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0142XB96O/
 
I then bought the fittings from Drip Depot, also recommended by Peter.
 
This is the connection to the float valve: https://www.dripdepot.com/product/irritec-perma-loc-tubing-by-fpt-tee-adapter. I used this adapter as the 1/2" pipe I got from Drip Depot was a bit too large to fit securely (for me) on the fittings supplied with the float valve. It also allows me to have two trash cans feeding the master bucket (I have two now - about to upgrade to four!)
 
And then the connections to the buckets and trash can are all made using these:
https://www.dripdepot.com/product/antelco-xpando-take-off
https://www.dripdepot.com/product/antelco-capo-rubber-grommet
 
But hand-watering is how I commune with my plants.  :)
Just kidding...it's getting old.  I'm definitely going to research this for next year.
 
Peter...I was supposed to have a gig in Lake Junaluska last week but it got canceled.  I see it would have taken me right through Clyde.
 
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