DWC buckets outside

sandjsdad

sandjsdad

Well-Known Member
Hello. Been a long time since I posted anything here.

Anyway, I have become a big fan of using DWC buckets for my outdoor grows. This is my third year. I have 4 plants growing. I started them directly from seed, in the buckets, in late May. We had an unusually cold late spring/early winter so they got a slow start but are doing well now.

I change the water every week and use General Hydroponic 3 part micro, grow, and bloom. I top off during the week with straight water. Temos range from coldest around 56 to a high of 96 degrees with no adverse affects. they pretty much take care of themselves.

Here's some pics as of a couple days ago. From left to right, Critical +, Critical Chronic Juice, OG Kush, Critical Chronic Juice, cotton candy2017-07-21 18.31.17.jpg 2017-07-21 18.32.21.jpg 2017-07-21 18.32.25.jpg 2017-07-21 18.32.41.jpg
 
HarryCooter

HarryCooter

Well-Known Member
sandjsdad said:
Hello. Been a long time since I posted anything here.

Anyway, I have become a big fan of using DWC buckets for my outdoor grows. This is my third year. I have 4 plants growing. I started them directly from seed, in the buckets, in late May. We had an unusually cold late spring/early winter so they got a slow start but are doing well now.

I change the water every week and use General Hydroponic 3 part micro, grow, and bloom. I top off during the week with straight water. Temos range from coldest around 56 to a high of 96 degrees with no adverse affects. they pretty much take care of themselves.

Here's some pics as of a couple days ago. From left to right, Critical +, Critical Chronic Juice, OG Kush, Critical Chronic Juice, cotton candyView attachment 3984029 View attachment 3984030 View attachment 3984031 View attachment 3984033
Click to expand...
Love the idea. My only concern would be maintaining correct solution temperatures. Has that been a problem at all?
 
sandjsdad

sandjsdad

Well-Known Member
HarryCooter said:
Love the idea. My only concern would be maintaining correct solution temperatures. Has that been a problem at all?
Click to expand...
No, it hasn't. The temp of the water/solution varies greatly. I'm in NorCal and we have cool evenings and pretty warm days. I've had temps in the buckets as low as 55 and as high as 98 degrees without any problems whatsoever. I do have to keep an eye on the bucket levels though as the bigger they get, the more water the drink. I know the manufacturers give a specific temperature range for their products but, it really hasn't been an issue. I didn't grow outdoors last summer but the summer before (2015) I had 4 plants as well. Still smoking some of the 2015 harvest even now. I cured them in mason jars. I recently opened one that had been sealed since Oct 2015 and it made a nice pop as the jar opened. The weed was still moist, smokes very smooth and is as potent as ever. Only problem was the labels for the plants got washed out and I didn't know which plant was what.
 
sandjsdad

sandjsdad

Well-Known Member
These days the girls are getting really thirsty. I check the buckets in the evening and they are usually close to empty. I top them off, add nutes to bring the PPM to around 1000 (850 to 1150 normally). I top them off the next day and add no nutes. They drink basically a bucket a day. As the season progresses they will dink up to 2 buckets each per day. So, right now, basically every other day they get fresh nutes. They seem to like it and are thriving. Right now they are about 3-4 feet tall. Can't say yet as to yield but I'm more concerned with quality vs quantity. Temps during the day get up to 100 degrees ambient and overnight drop as low as 54 degrees. They are in full, direct, sunlight from 8:30 AM until 7:00 PM.
 
Jimmy Verde

Jimmy Verde

Well-Known Member
sandjsdad said:
Hello. Been a long time since I posted anything here.

Anyway, I have become a big fan of using DWC buckets for my outdoor grows. This is my third year. I have 4 plants growing. I started them directly from seed, in the buckets, in late May. We had an unusually cold late spring/early winter so they got a slow start but are doing well now.

I change the water every week and use General Hydroponic 3 part micro, grow, and bloom. I top off during the week with straight water. Temos range from coldest around 56 to a high of 96 degrees with no adverse affects. they pretty much take care of themselves.

Here's some pics as of a couple days ago. From left to right, Critical +, Critical Chronic Juice, OG Kush, Critical Chronic Juice, cotton candyView attachment 3984029 View attachment 3984030 View attachment 3984031 View attachment 3984033
Click to expand...

Love this alot! Looks great..did you top much? Looks like natural growing and there still pretty damn big wow
 
sandjsdad

sandjsdad

Well-Known Member
Jimmy Verde said:
Love this alot! Looks great..did you top much? Looks like natural growing and there still pretty damn big wow
Click to expand...
Thanks for the compliment. I haven't topped them, just let them do their thing. It's a pretty simple way to grow. I've used DWC in the past with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and melons. They all work great. You do have to pay attention to water levels though. But for nutes it's pretty simple. I top off with plain water every day and add nutes every other day. Simple. Easy peasy.
 
Jimmy Verde

Jimmy Verde

Well-Known Member
sandjsdad said:
Thanks for the compliment. I haven't topped them, just let them do their thing. It's a pretty simple way to grow. I've used DWC in the past with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and melons. They all work great. You do have to pay attention to water levels though. But for nutes it's pretty simple. I top off with plain water every day and add nutes every other day. Simple. Easy peasy.
Click to expand...

Wow very impressed for all natural good stuff!
 
Jimmy Verde

Jimmy Verde

Well-Known Member
757growin said:
View attachment 3989687 View attachment 3989688
I think I'm gonna copy this but with 55 gal drums I think. I just built pond stuffed with talapia so I'll run aquaponics and give it a go. Very cool to see your success. Maybe this fall I'll give it a run or maybe next full season. Pond is still under construction but it's been a pleasure.
Click to expand...

55 gal hydro for each plant might be a little much dont ya think
 
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