Planting: What containers are you growing in? It’s important to choose the right size and material for your grow. We recommend 3 gallon for smaller plants, 5-7 gallon for larger plants, and some people even use large 25-100 gallon fabric pots that have one massive plant or several small to medium sized plants in them. Fabric pots will allow more airflow than traditional plastic pots and the roots self-prune when they hit the edge, so they don’t get root bound. They will dry out faster than plastic pots. Whichever you choose, start small to avoid overwatering!
Substrate: Whether you're making your own super soil, are looking for a living soil right out of the bag, or prefer a soil-less medium, we've got you covered. Many choices for substrate but we'll give a quick rundown on them.
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Coco- or coconut coir is a great option for those who don’t want to grow in soil but aren’t ready or don’t want to grow fully hydroponically. It’s a “soilless medium” meaning that you will have to provide the plant it’s nutrients. The medium is very spongy and allows greater oxygen flow in the root zone compared to peat moss. Once roots are established you can water the plant a lot more often without fear of overwatering, often times supercharging growth.
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Soil- We've got plenty of options for soil, including some famous super soil and living soil options from proven brands like FoxFarm, Roots Organics, Sohum Living Soil, and more! All have their own proprietary blend that they keep closely regarded but are loaded with nutrients and other amendments to maximize yields and flavor! You can use these straight up or amend with other adjuncts that you see fit. Growing in soil will require watering less often than coco and you won’t have to add nutrients right away.
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Hydro- From popular options like clay pebbles, perlite, rockwool, etc! Clay pebbles and rockwool are popular choices with hydroponics. For aeroponics, perlite and clay pebbles allow you to mist your roots with a nutrient rich mix and these mediums will allow the excess unused water to run-off back into the reservoir. Grab some net pots for your DIY hydro setup!
- Seed Starting- We have a few options for seed starting, any of the above choice will suffice, but we recommend a great seed starting soil or Root Riot Cubes which are excellent choices for cloning/propagation!
Saucers/Elevators are essential. Saucers will help prevent water from overflowing onto your floor, and elevators will prevent your plants from sitting in stale water from run-off.
Watering Systems- Over-watering is the number one mistake and killer of houseplants and cannabis plants. Don't fret, there are some cool options out there to make sure your plants are getting the perfect amount of water.
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Blumats have continued to gain popularity amongst cannabis growers and traditional gardeners alike. They really are the most customizable option out there. They work by inserting a clay "carrot" or watering stake into the medium, and as the substrate dries out, the water inside of the carrot exits through the porous clay which creates negative pressure that pulls down on the diaphragm inside of the stake. This acts as a valve that allows an irrigation tube running through the top of the of the Blumat to open and emit water. As the water is gradually emitted through the Blumat, the moisture is restored to the soil surrounding the ceramic stake. The ceramic absorbs some water which closes the valve and stops water flow. This unique system allows you to have customizable watering requirements at each plant!
- Autopots are another revolutionary system out there. They are an all-in-one cultivation system that use gravity pressure to fill tubs with water/fertilizer solution. The plants sit over the top of this tub in special pots that are designed to help the plant wick water up from the tub, thus watering and feeding the plant with minimal interaction from the grower. This system dispenses the perfect amount of water to make plants thrive.
Propagation- If you're propagating, we have what you need. From popular EZ-Clone machines that have a very high success rate, to seed starting trays and domes, to popular cloning gels/solutions like Clonex and Olivia's, we've got you covered! Root Riot cubes have great results especially when paired with a heating mat and some of the best cloning lights around! Check out our complete seed & clone propagation kit here.
Hydroponics- Feeding hydroponically is much more efficient at utilizing water and nutrients as you're applying them right where the magic happens, in the root zone! Bigger yields, stronger, faster harvests, more potent, tastier fruits and buds. Whether you're a DIYer or a buy it ready to go out of the box kind of person, you'll find what you need! We have DWC bucket systems, air pumps & stones, water pumps and fittings, water chillers to keep that root temp in the ideal range, R/O units so you can be sure you're starting with fresh water, pH/TDS meters, pH adjusters, and more.
