This is about as simple as hydro gets.

You need Perlite, Vermiculite, and a bucket.


Almost any size bucket will work
as long as it holds about 2 gl or more.


You can start seeds in the perlite/vermiculite,
or coco starter plugs.
I highly recommend that you use a starter plug
as the perlite can dry out
and leave a seed too dry to finish opening.



I mix the perlite/vermiculite in a big tub and then fill my buckets.
I use three scoops of perlite
and one scoop of vermiculite
until I have used all the perlite or vermiculite.

3 parts perlite to 1 part vermiculite

The next step is to drill a 1/2' hole in the bucket

About 2 inches above the bottom of the bucket
is usually about correct
and will give you a reservoir that will last a couple of days without starting root rot.

You should only use 50% nute loads to prevent build up in the perlite.

At first they will only need water about once a week,
depending on the temp/humidity in your grow space.

Out door they can dry up in a day,
indoor they usually only need some water with nutes about 1 or 2 times a week.

It is very important to not overwater.

You need to let the rez dry out
before adding more water with nutes.

I let the plant wilt to tell me when it is time to water.

If you use RO and AN 2 part nutes without additives,
you do not need to adjust the pH
as it will be 5.6

If you add fulvic acid you may need to adjust the pH up.

This is a really good way to search for that great mother plant
and grow hydro without much worry about rez temperature.

Thank you for putting that up there, my brother.

Peace
funnyman

Earl. great stuff... ive used your ideas and they work great. I know ive told you before but thank you for the info for the community. It helps out more then you know. Hope the best bro.

I really like this concept as its combines hand watering with hydro. It gives a less mechanical feel.

Thanks Earl! I think this will be my first method to foray into the hydro realm

Great post Earl -
Do you see any drawback to doing this in a rectangular tub?
Was thinking of implementing this into the cabinet - a 13 x 23 hempy bucket, with 6 plants...

I was thinking of putting a grommet and hose on the hole at the bottom though, so I could direct my overflow into a tub. Was also thinking of putting a tube at the very bottom, run vertically up the tub so water level can be seen.

Damn, stoned got to rambling - kudos either way.

Earl, you are a very good teacher. I am going to buid some of those to repot my mom's in. I've been growing mom's, taking a couple cuttings of clones. Pick a couple of healthy clones for new moms, putting the older mom's into flower. Been doing this in 3 gal. bags and hand watering but I'm lazy so this makes good sense. Thank you. Can I buy vermiculite from Earl May?

Looks like a great idea Earl, pretty simple and easy, I do like the idea of putting a tube into the bucket, a length of 1/2" PVC with holes drilled in it would work well I think to be able to check water level.

There is no water level to check.

When the bucket is dry you feed/water
and then wait until it is dry again.

You need to let the rez go dry
before adding more water/nutes
so, there is no rez level to check.

It is very simple and there is not much you can do to improve the design.

By the way, this is not my idea.