Going on vacation

[Wallacem2]

My four auto plants are in week 8 of a hydroponic grow and just starting to flower. They are in two 5 gal tubs and are now drinking nearly all 5 gals a week! I've been adding 5 gals between the two halfway through the week before changing the water out at the end of the week.

Problem: I'm going away next week for a week!! Is there any way they can survive for a week on their own? I'm afraid they will be out of water before the end of the week! I'm thinking of asking the young man who works at the local hydroponics store two minutes from my house if he would come by to add 5 gals of water at least once while I'm away. I could pre-make a 5 gal bucket. A big risk since I don't know the guy...

Thoughts?

[desertdan]

Vacation? There is no vacation while growing. One vacations after harvest.

[Wallacem2]

Thanks but not very helpful. Just a new grower trying his best.

[Canuck147]

Autos should have been flowering 5 weeks ago.

[Wallacem2]

So your saying the autos should have started flowering in week 2? Tyler Hobbyist just posted an "auto timeline" with photos showing pre-flowering in week 7 (49 days). Please tell us how you do it.

[Canuck147]

Flowering after 3 weeks - here's two 3 weeks old from last year. I just watch them grow Wallacem2, they do it themselves.

[Wallacem2]

Those are certainly nice looking plants. I will try again and this will be my goal after 3 weeks! Thanks.

[South Sierra Dude]

8 weeks is 56 days. If your autos haven't flowered now I don't think they will.

[NebulaHaze]

I agree, auto-flowering strains usually start flowering by the time they're 3-4 weeks from seed. At this point I'd guess your plants are actually photoperiod plants. But if you do switch to 12/12 for the flowering stage, they'll start drinking a little less at first because they're getting less light a day. You can also raise the lights up a few inches and that'll usually help them drink a little bit less since they're not working at hard. I feel your pain, it's stressful leaving plants while you're away! It's also really hard to decide whether you can trust someone else to look after them!

[Wallacem2]

First grow. I must have done something wrong. I've learned a lot and will try again!!

[Weed Pharma]

If you can keep your tent cooler in the low 70's (I drop to 66-68f) and increase humidity, they will drink less.
However, make sure to have good ventilation.

[Wallacem2]

Good idea. Makes sense. Will do.

[OzBud]

Can you join another 5 gal res to your original ones with a pipe/hose at the bottom? will increase water capacity by 50%

[Wallacem2]

Good idea. I may give that a try.

[OzBud]

If you do make sure it's 100% water tight. Don't want to have a tent full of water and dead plants when you come home.

[Sonnyhad]

dang man, I think i might ask the dude at the hydro shop, I think they all grow! lol