This is an unboxing and power test of the Viparspectra 2020 Pro Series p1000 led grow light. This light has a mixed spectrum of 3500K, 6500K, 660nm red, and has a variable dimming switch, which I like. This is the first in a series of new quantum board offerings from Viparspectra. This will replace my HLG-100, which only has 3000K. The mixed spectrum on the Viparspectra should be better for plants from seedling, veg, and flower/fruiting.
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This video shows how to change nutrients on large Kratky systems. The same principles apply though, to small Kratky systems. My Bih Jolokia in the 45-gallon trash gan was starting to show some nutrient deficiencies. The solution had dropped down by 2/3 the original volume and pH and dropped to 4.1. I replaced with fresh nutrients keeping the same level as before.
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Greenjoy recently sent me their hydroponic indoor grow box for review. I’ve published two videos, one of the initial unboxing and setup, and the other after 30 days of use. The videos are below. You can find more information about the product here, but as of this writing, it is currently unavailable.
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I’ve been testing the Sansi 100-watt, 10,000 lumens LED floodlight for growing peppers. This light isn’t designed for use as a grow light but does work really well as one. It is designed to be a utility light. Sansi sent me the one I am testing, for free to review.
For my test, I am using it to overwinter a 3-year-old Khang Starr Lemon StarrBurst pepper plant. As you can see from the videos below, it has exceeded my expectations and is actually producing fruit.
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I’m growing a Malagueta x Khang Starr White Thai under the Sansi LED floodlight. Both the parent plants were grown under this light also. I’ve been using this light for almost a year now. Although it isn’t marketed as a grow light, it actually does a great job for both vegetative growth and fruiting. I’m also using it over two Kratky grown peppers, a ‘pepper in a can’ and some succulent plants. I noticed they have a newer one that is twice the size and power. I might try it out in the near future.
Note: Sansi sent me this light for free to evaluate.
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I want to see if restricting the root size to a reasonable area will encourage early fruiting, or if the plant will stay in extended veg mode. Last year I grew two plants in a 27-gallon tote, and they took forever to fruit, and the yield, although good, was not great. There were a lot of green pods on them at the very end of the season when it was turning cold. So eventually they would have produced more.
This year I’m using the same 27-gallon tote, but with one plant, and that is in a 5-gallon bucket insert. The bucket has small holes at the bottom and larger ones at the top (for air flow). The idea is, the roots will mostly be confined to the smaller container, while still having access to all the nutrients in the large tote. Andrew Higgenbottom did a similar experiment but used a much smaller inner container. I’m hoping the 5-gallon size will mitigate the issues he ran into. This isn’t a perfect experiment, as I’m not growing the same kind of plant side by side as a control, but I’m just comparing against what I saw last season. Last year I grew a StarrRacha Bonnet and a KhangSta Red in the same tote , both were in the extended veg mode most of the season. This year, in the root restricted setup, I’m growing what is supposed to be a KhangSta Red but is producing yellow pods. It’s from the same seed stock that Khang sent me, but I think it’s either crossed or just a yellow mutation of KhangSta Red since it’s still a little unstable.
I’m using Dyna-Gro 7-9-5 at just over 1 tsp/gallon, with ppm around 500. The tote has a float valve already installed, and I can hook up a reservoir later when needed to maintain a static nutrient level.
5-gal bucket with holesKhangSta Yellow plantBucket inserted into tote
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Sansi has sent me the second version of their 15-watt full spectrum grow light. In the video below, I show the unboxing and setup, as well as power and light tests. I have it set up over some succulents and will post a follow-up video showing the progress, after 30 days.
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I’ve been using the Sansi LED floodlight as a test grow light since August of 2018. This light isn’t marketed as a grow light, it is for general utility, illumination. Sansi sent me this light for free to review. The color temperature is 5600K, which I think is great for growing. I suspected it would be only ideal for vegetative growth, but my plant test subjects have both fruited under it, not once, but twice.
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This year I’ve transplanted most of my sprouts from the AeroGarden Bounty and my DIY system, into Styrofoam wicking cups. These are super easy and quick to make. They are nice intermediate vessels for the plants until being moved to their final location. These setups also provide more flexibility than standard double cups do. For instance, you could remove them from the bottom cup and set in something larger for the plant/s to drink from.
