There is a lot of growers using Large pots. I mean twenty gallon plus. So with that in mind. I wanted to bring something up that might help you.
Through many years of his type of growing ive picked up a few tricks. The one that really did the trick to getting fifteen plus footers. Using a airation tube from lower section of the plant. Running vertical, up above the soil. Fill the tube (PVC is best) with some smallish rocks to keep the tube free from debris.
This will bring more of a exchange of air from the lower soil, imcreasing the rhizosphere health. try it. you wont be sorry!
Great tip! Do you have any pics so help those of us who have a hard time visualizing these things (like me)?
This diagram shows a tube for water. which i had not mentioned in that first part. You then fee the roots more efficently. With added airation
his wasnt my photo or diagram. just a quick search for a pic close to what i was saying. Large pots may require more then one. I use one tube per twenty gallons. Ive never tried on smaller planters.
It’s what I had pictured in my mind but your diagram reinforces it. Thanks so much! I’m going to plant a 25 gal and give it a try…Thanks for the tip!
One of my clients, who also hits the highest numbers consistently, actively pumps air into the bottom of the soil with a perforated tube that’s coiled around the bottom. Definitely solid advice
Yeah mine is more old school gorrilla town. i like his idea aswell. i totally endorse that aswell
Hi For Sure!! - on this Idea couple of notes from my end - when possible try for CPVC versus PVC piping - the Idea of full Food Grade Ready production in your build outs will pay off in the long run - pvc leeches esters and false estrogens into the soil and water - you can taste it and the lower PH feeds bring it out.
Thought to add is about forced air - the nitrogen and oxygen in a low pressure system at the container bottom will enhance root dispersion - in live no tills builds I desire controllable soil drying - from the bottom to the top forcing air into the bed bottoms and watering until I can hear the water interact with the air gives me faster feed to dry schedules for greater uptake without a burn or root rotting - I have also been experimenting with clear glass jars with lids as viewpoints in no tills that I can drop a cheap borescope camera down to get a view of what is happening without disturbing the works. - the glass jar should not be a light conduit into the roots so darken the top 1/3 and keep the lid on when not taking a look.
perfect thank you
You might check out www.Theultimategreenhouse.com I met him a few years ago and is building smart pots that wick water out of a reservoir. May not use the same hydro set up he uses due to not having water movement from what I can see. But, could almost use the old basket style bubble buckets with the wick pot on top with the wick in the bubbly water. Or run an inline pump to circulate the water around and could line a bunch up in a row that way.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.