Decided due to some wicking tests done on sand and Oil Dry, plus the so far success of the wicking sand buckets, this is what I need to do, given available materials.

Fastened four chains to eye hooks in a ceiling stud to hang the lights.  Square bucket bottoms were cut at 4 inches height and set in to get an idea of spacing requirements.

 

Ends up that twenty-four fit well under the lights with room to spread out some if needed.



For now, the Wicking Sand Bucket Experiment fits under one light and the Oil Dry Experiment grow bags are each in their own bucket bottom with two cups of water added to each.  

 

Have twenty-four 2 gallon Root Pouch grow bags to match the number of bucket bottoms that will be added as time permits the washing of sand and transferring cuttings from the wicking sand buckets.

After testing wicking ability of Oil Dry and sand, both at 4 inches depth in clear cups with perforated bottoms, sitting in about 1/2 inch depth of water, it was decided that 4 inches is good, or at least I think it might be good.  It allows for about 2.5 inches of moist media and even a little dry at the very surface, while the bottom 1-1.5 inches stays pretty saturated.  I think this will be better than the 2.5 inches total sand depth currently in the Wicking Sand Bucket Experiment that I think is staying too wet for most of the volume of media.

Though that experiment is cool looking and has been fun and even working to some degree, it isn't practical for the lights I have now.  Each plant must have its own base and be able to move up to the light that must be raised to accommodate faster growers like Valley Black.  I can always use plentiful wooden spacers under the bucket bottoms to make this happen.

This is all I have for now though future plans include reflective panels on all sides to maximize lighting. 
 

Very nice system.

Do you need a Medical Fig card to grow those indoors? Is this legal in your state? I know figs cure just about everything, though I'm not sure about glaucoma.  Nice set up!  :)

Good luck with your next project Charlie. Looks nice and neat... and no gnats!!

WOW, Charlie now that,s a nice grow room! You must have a very nice understanding Wife! I really like the way you have it setup. Wish I had an empty bedroom... Good Luck this cutting growing season! : )

Frank from Bama

Spent after church making some of the 2 gallon grow bags and now am out of cuttings for the moment.  

 

Hi Charlie,
Is the oil dry for outside use only ?
Some mentioned some smelling, does it have a smell inside ?
I suppose that if the number of pots does not climb too high, the nuisance shouldn't be too high. I would still try to air that room a bit more ... just to be safe.

You're gonna need a bigger warehouse  ;)

Awesome set-up!

Very cool stuff Charlie!

A Battaglia Green cutting from an air layer, sent from Von, was set in sand on 10/11 and shows its first leaf this morning after I sprayed on the surfaces.  Hello little one! :)

 

 


 

Never give up on fig cuttings unless they are rotten or have gone bone dry.  This Valle Negra root was just spotted poking up out of the sand.  It was started originally in the wicking sand bucket experiment on 9/7 and transferred to grow bag with sand on 10/12.  

 

This particular sand I got from the sand plant is a bit more coarse than the sand which began with in the wicking sand buckets.  It's better draining, doesn't wick quite as well and the top inch of sand is prone to dry out with the heat from the lights.  So I have been spraying them twice daily for the past several days.  Once these cuttings get roots down in the lower three inches, they should be ok since that is where it seems to stay moist enough from wicking.  I don't spray the surface of the Valley Black plants that have good roots and they are doing fine.

Don't panic!  It looks that way from drying out.  Below the level of sand it's nice and white. :)

 

Some stuff to update.  Figo Preto started on 10/4...

 

Valley Black did kind of slow down when the separation surgery was done but it's back to its former growing like mad...

 

There's more heat associated with these light fixtures than I had anticipated.  Two of them going is as hot or more hot than the 1000w metal halide last winter.  So it has taken some days to get the watering figured out.  

Maintaining about 1/2 inch of fertigation water in the bucket bottoms.  This usually takes just a little per day on all buckets except the taller VB's, that are sucking it all up within 24 hours.  Morning and night before bed I am spraying the surfaces of all buckets except the VB's since they have deeper roots in the damp zone.

I like the quality of that sand - wish I could find something that coarse around here.

Right, Frank?!  I wish I had an empty room too and, an understanding husband.  He is great but if I took a whole room like that maybe not.

 Very nice setup for sure!  I am learning so much here!  Great photos!

Yes, the sand looks great!  If I went to buy that type what would I be asking for?

This is awesome, Charlie, thanks for sharing your rooting adventures :)