SIP thread -- (Sub-Irrigated Planter)

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
It's definitely a technique that takes some time to get used to -- especially if you are DIY'ing your own SIPs, that can add time to the learning curve because you have to design it with a broader fundamental understanding of the paradigm. I've seen a few home made sips where the plants are droopy and look like they're being over-watered, and I've built wicks so large that they over-saturated my soil. After a few grows I think I have them working well enough.

But it's good you found what works for you. SIPs are not the best way, just another way.
I don't want anyone here to think I'm knocking the approach in general. That it did not meet my goals doesn't mean it isn't a great solution for other situations.

Similarly, RDWC is not the right solution for everyone.
 

PDX Joe

Well-Known Member
How does it work?
There is a little plastic bubbler (Dewey Mister) that suction cups down to the bottom of the bucket. You hook it up to a small air pump with a hose. Then add distilled water up to the fill mark on the mister and it bubbles away... constant moisture without rotting the stems. I smeared the cuttings with a little bit of rooting gel. It took about 3 weeks for them to root. The cage is to keep my cat from chowing down on them. No clone dome or misting required. They didn’t even yellow all that much. I actually tried misting a bit for the first week and a few leaves rotted. So, they were getting enough moisture through their stems.BBBBB1FC-DEFE-4224-AF7D-EF45BCBD2D68.jpeg
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
Yeah, the larger plants may crowd out the smaller ones. Once the larger ones stretch they can maybe fill up that open space?
Yeah basically my thoughts too they will just get crowded out, just train the bigger ones a bit more and fill out my screen and should be fine making up for lost space of those.
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
There is a little plastic bubbler (Dewey Mister) that suction cups down to the bottom of the bucket. You hook it up to a small air pump with a hose. Then add distilled water up to the fill mark on the mister and it bubbles away... constant moisture without rotting the stems. I smeared the cuttings with a little bit of rooting gel. It took about 3 weeks for them to root. The cage is to keep my cat from chowing down on them. No clone dome or misting required. They didn’t even yellow all that much. I actually tried misting a bit for the first week and a few leaves rotted. So, they were getting enough moisture through their stems.View attachment 4110341
I have a DIY Areocloner I made out of a 27 gallon tote (I went way too big for what I need lol) and it works great as long as I have the PH right. I think 3 weeks might be a while to wait for roots but Im not very experienced at cloning. I will be busting out my areocloner again here in the next week and will post my set up and results. I have heard that bubble cloners might actually be a better way to go. One thing I did learn while making a DIY areocloner is... OMFG buy a sealable tote because leak proofing the lid suuuuuuuucks lol
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
have you seen his Vertical grows,, its a trip,, like vines climing a wall ,,
Yeah I have peeked at his set up a bunch it kinda blows my mind it is so different from what I have going on. It is cool that there are so many different ways this can be done, but for me this just seems like the KISS method. No nutes to worry about measuring every time i water or every other time, no moving parts to worry about failing and getting water all over the place or drowning or drying out a plant. I can even leave for a week if absolutely needed and the plants will just keep doing there thing. Also the fact that I want to go soil and organics i think makes SIPs a no brainer for me.
 

Tim Fox

Well-Known Member
Yeah I have peeked at his set up a bunch it kinda blows my mind it is so different from what I have going on. It is cool that there are so many different ways this can be done, but for me this just seems like the KISS method. No nutes to worry about measuring every time i water or every other time, no moving parts to worry about failing and getting water all over the place or drowning or drying out a plant. I can even leave for a week if absolutely needed and the plants will just keep doing there thing. Also the fact that I want to go soil and organics i think makes SIPs a no brainer for me.
You and me,, Same Wave Length
 

PDX Joe

Well-Known Member
Off topic, but those in legal states... do you use a carbon filter? I do, but I'm thinking about pulling it out to get a little bit more head height. The extra 4-5 inches would help me out on this grow.
 

Tim Fox

Well-Known Member
Off topic, but those in legal states... do you use a carbon filter? I do, but I'm thinking about pulling it out to get a little bit more head height. The extra 4-5 inches would help me out on this grow.
i used to, but I moved my grow box over by a window ( had to get the wifes blessing),, and now i just blow out the window,, after removing the filter i was able to move my light up higher in the box ,,, next grow I need to move the exhaust fan so i can center the lgiht,, but yes, its worth it,, i can smell it outside,, only sometimes,, just depends on how the wind is mixing up the air and blowing it around
 

PDX Joe

Well-Known Member
i used to, but I moved my grow box over by a window ( had to get the wifes blessing),, and now i just blow out the window,, after removing the filter i was able to move my light up higher in the box ,,, next grow I need to move the exhaust fan so i can center the lgiht,, but yes, its worth it,, i can smell it outside,, only sometimes,, just depends on how the wind is mixing up the air and blowing it around
Cool, I figure as I maintain a high VPD it sort of negates the filter. The carbon doesn't work as well when the air is humid. So, I don't know how much it is working for me anyway and it will be good to get that monster out of the closet.
 

Humanrob

Well-Known Member
Off topic, but those in legal states... do you use a carbon filter? I do, but I'm thinking about pulling it out to get a little bit more head height. The extra 4-5 inches would help me out on this grow.
I never have, I think it just depends on your neighborhood. I thought I was safe because I'm up the street from the police station, but that didn't stop some a-hole from steeling some of my outdoor out of my backyard last year. I've heard that in parts of Eugene and SE Portland starting in September cannabis is such a common smell that you can hardly tell which direction it's coming from. That's not the case in my neighborhood, my grow is the only one I've smelled in my more conservative suburb. I guess it depends on who you don't want to smell it, and why.
 

Tim Fox

Well-Known Member
Cool, I figure as I maintain a high VPD it sort of negates the filter. The carbon doesn't work as well when the air is humid. So, I don't know how much it is working for me anyway and it will be good to get that monster out of the closet.
i got so tired of washing carbon,, and baking it in the oven,, and having to tend to that thing or tape up the joints,, its so much easier without it
 

twagner23

Well-Known Member
I never have, I think it just depends on your neighborhood. I thought I was safe because I'm up the street from the police station, but that didn't stop some a-hole from steeling some of my outdoor out of my backyard last year. I've heard that in parts of Eugene and SE Portland starting in September cannabis is such a common smell that you can hardly tell which direction it's coming from. That's not the case in my neighborhood, my grow is the only one I've smelled in my more conservative suburb. I guess it depends on who you don't want to smell it, and why.
I'll be growing 20 plants outdoors in Gresham this summer, wish me luck lol.
 
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