leaving unattended plants for a weekend

~dopeman~

Member
I leave town frequently and was curious as to my best options and wondering what others do when leaving plants unattended for 3 - 4 days at max. I assume my best option would be just leave the light on a timer and walk out the door but I'm trying to stay as stealth as possible. I cant have a water pump noise malfunction or any thing else for that matter that could go wrong and make noise bc the house will be occupied while I'm gone but only I know about this hidden room. any recommendations ? thanks in advance !!
 

massah

Well-Known Member
then don't use hydro if you cant be there to watch things...use a soil that you can leave without doing anything to it for a while :)

Or spend shittons of money on a monitoring system that calls you or txts you or something if there is an issue :D
 

Skunk.n'the.Trunk

Well-Known Member
id say screw the noise concerns and hope for the best. The other people in the house will prolly find out anyway when it smells like pot 24/7
 

asdewqasdfgh

Active Member
id say screw the noise concerns and hope for the best. The other people in the house will prolly find out anyway when it smells like pot 24/7
agreed. why are you concerned about people hearing a water pump noise when soon the whole house is going to smell like a skunk. you should have timers anyways and leaving for a few days should be no biggie.
 

bboybojo

Well-Known Member
What is the effect of leaving flowering plants in the dark for a few days? I know people do it at the end of grows and sometimes at the start of flowering...
 

MrEDuck

Well-Known Member
I'd leave it with a pump on a timer to water the plants. Or a res to fill them with a float valve if doing DWC. 4 days is awhile even if you're using a medium that really retains water.

Bboybojo fucking with the light cycle stresses the plant and can cause plants to herm. How would you feel if the sun didn't come up for a few days? Also they need light to produce more buds. At the very finish the plants freak out and try to get pollenated if they haven't been, but that's the only time you want to do it because it's too late for them to get screwed up.
 
Is this hydro or soil? Are you currently turning the light on and off every day? A timer is a must in my opinion. I have long term automation capabilities on my system. Long term being two reservoirs, and timers for all other functions.
If you have a hydro grow you can leave it for quite a while. I have gone as long as 2 1/2 weeks without even seeing my grow. I have never had a pump failure but I have had timers burn up. Just be sure you buy a timer rated for the amps and watts your light draws.
If you are in soil you might consider a wick, or one of those watering globes they sell on the commercials.
An outdoor timer is only $20 at Home Depot. Mine is rated to 1800watts. It has been working perfectly for years.

As far as pump noise that is really a non issue. As long as it stays under water nobody will ever hear it. Good Luck!
 

Plant Guru

Member
Soil setups are probably the best option for being able to get away. If you use clean water and only liquid (no solids) nutrients in the water the pump will not be a problem. You can build your own drip setup but be careful about getting good water distribution and equal amounts to each plant. Make sure you have a large enough tank so the water doesn't empty. If you use slow drip, you'll need less water. There are some products here: www.garden-galaxy.com/Pages/Products.htm . Good luck.
 

powerslide

Well-Known Member
Is this hydro or soil? Are you currently turning the light on and off every day? A timer is a must in my opinion. I have long term automation capabilities on my system. Long term being two reservoirs, and timers for all other functions.
If you have a hydro grow you can leave it for quite a while. I have gone as long as 2 1/2 weeks without even seeing my grow. I have never had a pump failure but I have had timers burn up. Just be sure you buy a timer rated for the amps and watts your light draws.
If you are in soil you might consider a wick, or one of those watering globes they sell on the commercials.
An outdoor timer is only $20 at Home Depot. Mine is rated to 1800watts. It has been working perfectly for years.

As far as pump noise that is really a non issue. As long as it stays under water nobody will ever hear it. Good Luck!
2 1/2 weeks in hydro?!?!? my ph couldnt go more than 3days w/o needing adjusted. But my res is tiny so i think that has something to do w/ it.
 

asdewqasdfgh

Active Member
What is the effect of leaving flowering plants in the dark for a few days? I know people do it at the end of grows and sometimes at the start of flowering...
when the plants get nothing but darkness they think they are about to die, at which point they expel a large amount of thc. thats what i have heard but i have never tried it.
 
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