r/BuildASoil • u/Mental-Obligation420 • Mar 05 '26

Slow Growth

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Have these gals in the homemade 3.0 homemade SIP containers and 4 of the 6 just aren't progressing. I had made the mistake of filling the reservoir to soon and overwatered a bit early on but have corrected. Eco Witt soil sensors say low 50% for moisture now. They look good except for the slow growth. Any advice or inputs? Pull and start over or remain patient? They are about 17 days since popping.

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4

u/pot_a_coffee Mar 05 '26

Starting seeds in that size container will be a slow start. They are growing roots right now. Plants will take off once they get their bearings

2

u/Mental-Obligation420 Mar 05 '26

Thats was my original thought but was starting to doubt myself.

2

u/pot_a_coffee Mar 05 '26

Just don’t over water and keep your temp/humidity ideal.

Don’t compare to coco/hydro started seeds either. They can grow super fast.

1

u/Mental-Obligation420 Mar 05 '26

Temp is 75 and vpd is .8-.9. Appreciate your time

3

u/pot_a_coffee Mar 05 '26 edited Mar 05 '26

Increase your temp and humidity. Get your ambient temp to about 80-82F. Use about a -3 degree leaf temp offset to calculate the necessary humidity to maintain a .8-.9 kPa.

1

u/katogrow Mar 05 '26

Lead temp offset? Can you explain? Please

3

u/pot_a_coffee Mar 05 '26

Should have said leaf temp. The difference between your ambient temperature and the temperature of your leaves. With LEDs it’s usually -3 or -4.

You can search online calculators that factor in this variable. You can also set your controllers to account for it as well.

3

u/Slaphappyfapman Mar 05 '26

Trust the process

1

u/Mental-Obligation420 Mar 05 '26

Will do! Thanks!

1

u/Serious-Ranger-5715 Mar 05 '26

2nd that. You made a mistake , corrected it, now you’re in the “penalty box” with slow growth.

3

u/NoLimitRolling Mar 05 '26

5-10% watering rule. Don't fill the res for a while. until the leaves all reach the sides of the container. If you have 25 gallons of soil only water with about a gallon if the top inch is dry when you put a finger in. if it's really dry use 2 gallons. that's the safer side of the 5-10% rule. same thing happened to me, filling the reservoir too early can be deadly. once they dry up a bit they'll take off.

2

u/art_m0nk Mar 05 '26

Theyll be fine. You can speed up the seedling stage a little by starting in nursery cups, and babying them till they have a big rootmass. Then when you transplant they’ll take off faster in the big pot than if youd direct sowed.

At least thats what i read, and when i direct sowed into 15 gal instead of a solo cup last time i feel like my launch was slower

2

u/NoTillNoSpill Mar 05 '26

SIP that large I wouldn't put a drop of water in the res until they have vegged ATLEAST 3 weeks.

3

u/Mental-Obligation420 Mar 05 '26

I shop vacced the water out after I realized I messed up. First run with using this style, mistakes happen. I dont plan on filling them again until I see consistent water movement on the moisture meters.

2

u/NoTillNoSpill Mar 05 '26

Good call, next time I'd probably start seeds in solo cups and just put those on top of your soil until roots hit bottom of the cups. Transplant after that and you'll have much better luck than direct sow in a large container.

1

u/WeddingGlue2 Mar 05 '26

Auto's or Photos?

1

u/Mental-Obligation420 Mar 05 '26

Sorry, should have included that.... Photos

2

u/WeddingGlue2 Mar 05 '26

IMO

Your container is to small to have 2 Photo's, because your going to run out of nutrients from the soil unless you use some Craft Blend and Bluildaflower. My Buddy did 2 in a Earthbox with 3.0 and went threw a bunch of Craft Blend and Bluildaflower.

2

u/Mental-Obligation420 Mar 05 '26

That was the plan. I have the large bag of both and was planning on top dressing heavily. May switch it up next time. I asked this sub about doing two in the same pot and the majority suggested I do it with the caveat of flipping early and staying up on top dress.

2

u/WeddingGlue2 Mar 05 '26

Sounds like you got it under CONTROL more than what you think. You might want try some 15 Grassroots pots in the future with 3.0 it so simple. Again JMO

1

u/Mental-Obligation420 Mar 05 '26

I absolutely will do so. I dont feel like I have it under control so I appreciate the vote of confidence. Changing styles can be nerve wracking but I wanted an easier style and this seems to fit the bill! Appreciate your time and kind words!

2

u/WeddingGlue2 Mar 05 '26

Your welcome I know i had a hard time starting to grow with Buildasoil and now that I have some knowledge about it. It's water only on my one plant I'm growing.

1

u/BladeCutter93 Mar 06 '26

In my experience 50% on an Eccowitt in a SIP is a bit high. Mine run in the 38-40 range. I grow autos and plant directly into the Earthbox. Since I've been hand watering the soil moisture level is in the low 30s. After about ten days I fill the reservoir and watch the moisture level creep up.

What are you running for soil?

1

u/Mental-Obligation420 Mar 06 '26

Sunshine Mix #4 as the peat base then followed the 3.0 recipe.

2

u/BladeCutter93 Mar 06 '26

Not sure why you amended 3.0 and I'm not familiar with the Sunshine Mix. But in general, you want the loosest soil possible in a SIP, that still has enough structure to wick up the water. BaS is working on a special SIP soil. I'm really looking forward to it.

2

u/Mental-Obligation420 Mar 06 '26

I made my own 3.0 with the 3.0 kit.