5 gallon SIP

[AlabamaJack]

AJ -- with the drip system how hot does your water get in the middle of the day in those little black plastic drip lines between waterings ? I've thought about setting up a drip system but in the middle of the afternoon even using a garden hose that has been sitting in the sun I have to run water through the hose to clear out what has been inside the hose before getting it close to the plants as the water temp is pretty high so was wondering if that would be a problem with the drip lines or is the output low enough that it is not a factor to worry about ?

I don't use the black drip lines...I use 1/2" PVC pipe that I drill and tap to put screw in 1 gph drippers....as I said, the drippers are putting out about 2 ounces a minute...if you do use the black line, I don't think it would be that bad as long as you can "shade" it...

I understand about the hot water in the lines but it doesn't seem to bother the plants since the flow rate out of the drippers is so slow...I run standard water hoses to each section I have set up...and the grass has grown over most of the lines so they are somewhat shaded....

If anyone wants more information, PM me...

Sorry for the hijack bparanoid...

 

[Dave2000]

^ Sure but in some cases the advantages are more of an idealized or hypothetical nature, many environments will end up with more fruit from two plants in the two pots instead of one. I see it more as a how often can you or must you water situation, as once a plant is large enough that the watering schedule is frequent in a 5+ gallon pot, its roots have established themselves enough that the soil isn't going to compact much more as the roots keep it suspended provided the soil still has a fair amount of fiberous organic matter in it.

I would not say it prevents underwatering though, you have to have some kind of drainage for the outer pot still and while it can extend the period between waterings, when it's out of water it's out. Your watering schedule still has to correspond the usage rate versus water capacity.

To clarify something, if all or at least most of my pots were standard 5 gallon buckets and I had the spare buckets to do it, I too would be using a SIP setup as it has been hot enough here this summer that I'm watering more often than I wanted to or anticipated. I'm not against doing it in certain situations.

 

[bparanoid]

Hey Dave, I know what you mean about the heat! We have been hitting over 30 degrees here for weeks! and have had a hard time trying to keep up with the watering schedule with my potted Fig trees. But no sign of heat/water stress at all with the SIP's. I would give it a try..nothing to lose.
Perhaps next year I will construct additional buckets and setup up an automatic watering system. I think on the link I provided there are some examples of how to set it up.
I grabbed my buckets from my local bakery for free.

Latest photo's...I apologize for all the pics..but I'm all giddy like a new parent
July/15/12

Flowers galore

Pekaboo..I see you. First Pod

 

[RPM55]

Do you have the lids on the buckets? What about when it rains, doesn't the lid funnel all the water into the hole where the plant comes through. The page in the link shows mounding the soil and covering with plastic which would seem to allow rain water to run off.
From the looks of your plants this looks like a non issue though.
Congrats on the first pod, there is more heat in your future.

Hey and we all Love pepper porn!!! The more pics the better!!!

 

[LUCKYDOG]

RPM there should be or are over flow holes drilled into the side jusy below where the second bucket is for a little air and too much water

I have plans as well that uses an additional bucket with a flusher valve that regulates watering when the water falls below a given mark the flusher will open and fill the other buckets and itself to the "full" line

 

[bparanoid]

Rain, lol, it's been so long I forget what it looks like
Yes, I just use plastic lids on mine and never had an issue with rain. The amount of rain that would filter through the plant and find the lid is negligible. Now if I was lucky enough that a monsoon rolled by, any excess water that did find the hole would flow down the soil and fill the water reservoir (if it was low) or out the excess water drain holes just as LUCKYDOG mentioned above.

 

[Blackyboy21]

Has anyone tried this method for growing indoors.

instead of a fert ring, can you add ferts to the water that is being added to the resevoir

 

[JDFan]

instead of a fert ring, can you add ferts to the water that is being added to the resevoir

Yes you can - the advantage of the fert ring is the slow release fert will get used as needed and pretty much provide nutes for the entire season instead of having to remember to add nutes to the water before filling the reservoir - but yes you can add it to the water just like you would on other plants

 

[Blackyboy21]

Yes you can - the advantage of the fert ring is the slow release fert will get used as needed and pretty much provide nutes for the entire season instead of having to remember to add nutes to the water before filling the reservoir - but yes you can add it to the water just like you would on other plants

this is giving me ideas for my indoor grow box that is in the design periods....since i am gone quite a bit, this would be easiest way i believe for my wife to help....since she does not really approve of this hobby....so just adding water to an automatic sip system would be ideal.

does anyone put peroxide in thier water to stop algee and other probs

 

[Scarecrw]

First year trying the sip. 10 5 gal buckets made (5) sips with red solo cups. Same plan as above. I think I used poor (crap) potting soil. I lost all 5 peppers due to root rot. Switched to hydro. I'll try again next year since half my buckets have holes in them.