CROPPING SYSTEMS
Developing and following a cropping system that works for YOU and your PLANTS can be your AceIn-The-Hole for bigger growing gains. Agriculture is like gambling;
it's always risky-but there are systems that work. Cropping Systems allow you to repeat your wins again and againlet's get started.
...it’s all about what fits YOU! A good cropping system shouldn't be complicated. Rather, a proven and repeatable recipe for continued growing success. It's like a good fit; hand in glove. And that's essentially what we are talking about here-one thing fitting into the next. For our growing context, it relates to our cropping cycle and style: How big are your plants at harvest, how many of them will occupy a given area, and how long does it take in each phase? These are the basics, which you should be able to answer before continuing along the chain of thought in de-
veloping a system. Next, either through experience or research, can you identify how big the plants are for upper spacing and root space purposes in each of these distincy grow phases: i.Pre-Veg: to about 10 days after cuttings root ii Veg: from just a few days to months. 2 to 3 weeks is average iii.Pre-Flower: to Harvest: when it comes to feeding, there's sub phases like early peak and ripening, but for spacing plants should usually be in the final spot they will be harvested from; crops don't like getting disturbed too much once bloom starts.
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Let's run through an example of a real working hydroponic cropping system model that's relatively easy to replicate or repeat. But lets work backwards, shall we? At harvest, four plants reach maturity in an activecirculation DWC (Deep Water Culture) hydroponics system. This one happens to be a UCXXL by Current Culture. The four plants will finish from 18” to 36” tall, depending on what strain and plant type is grown, amongst other factors. For an efficient garden under lights,
there is little stem or stretch-so a lot of harvestable AAA+ material can be grown from the top of the plant all the way to the bottom. What's the point of growing it bigger, than pruning the bottom off later anyways? Especially true in hydroponics. Just because there is a denser harvest up top; ie more weight in less space doesn't mean there doesn't need to be more space at the bottom-or better yet-more efficient use of root space. With a good depth of travel for roots coupled with more
efficient uptake of water and minerals via super aeration in the UCXXL, the root system is super-charged to support big yields in less space. The entire system occupies about one square meter for a lineal foot print, and about half a meter for root depth, one meter from plant height, than finally an additional meter for lamp clearance and the overhead crop lighting itself. Nothing that you couldn't fit into a decent walk-in sized closet-or replicate to the tune of a warehouse-sized installation. >>>
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In this par ticular cro pping system, the pl ants were f lipped into the bloom p hase just a few days af ter they we re transpla nted in to UCXXL. Does the n't sound l ike much ti does it? me, The plants were alread y well branched an d had a roo t system de veloped tha t was just waiting to plode on tr e xansplant. That happen in the stag ed e before: V EG.
You can grow a plant to a good sized transplant in hydroponics without needing a whole lot of space versus soil gardening methods. In hydroponics, upper green portions can stay tight and compact,
while a substrate like Rockwool can house a strong feeding root system in a relatively small space. The magic of more oxygen and easier nutrient absorption is evident versus soil when you VEG in Hydro.
In this system, the plants are vegged-out in a homebuilt flood and drain system under MH (metal halide) lighting. A high Kelvin (K) rating looks very “blue” to our eyes, but it encourages very tight and squat growthperfect for hydroponics! They come in at 6” tall and leave at about 2-3X that.
Pre-Veg is an importan t and often phase; its overlooked when your p l ants ramp u covery/esta p from reblishment t o full on g propagation rowth. Duri ie cuttings ng or seedling are kept in s, plants a tender en vironment. a transitio Pre-veg is nal environ ment with t feeding and r ansitional spacing to get plants “the big wo ready for rld outside ”. Outside your covere being out f d trays. In or this exampl spend about e the plants 10 days get ting establ pre-treated ished into rockwool cu bes. Spacin square per g plant is about 6” Cutti n Jiffy gs get s t this 7 peat s arted in t g c from ropping arter pel ood 'ol s l h be re igh-tech ystem. W ets in h liabl t ile f hey and u e suall and are have prov ar file en to y che easy f hole its perf ap. The to find e r s this ized roc ctly into ound pro kwool phase large fit s , a l c u b e s nug i o n a s t of pla . In n tanda t rd 10 s can 20 tr ay
The plants spend 2 to 3 weeks growing in larger sized rockwool cubes and grow rock filled pots after transplant from PRE-VEG
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Rock Files: ROCK RESINATOR
Rock Resinator incorporates cutting edge blending technologies to provide a consistent and reliable product, with the results delivered sure to Rock your grow! Rock Resinator is easy to use and concentrated too! For most applications, just add Rock Resinator beginning the second week of flowering through harvest at a rate of 4mL per gallon of nutrient solution for a mild solution. For a stronger solution, use up to 8mL per gallon. Always shake well before use. Trusted by Growers Rock Resinator is used and trusted by thousands of plant growers, both professional and hobbyist, around the globe. -Suitable for all grow systems and media -Stronger and high quality components -Long shelf life elements -NO PGRs!
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Rock Resi n ato r
Rock Resinator is formulated with an extensive and complex combination of phosphorus and potassium. Designed as a true stand-alone NPK booster and crop enhancer, there is no need for any additional Potash, Phosphorus, Sugars, or Organic based products as Rock Resinator incorporates all of these components and more.