Looking for advice for an automatic watering system. I plan on growing in coco but the problem is I’m away from home 2 days. Looking for a reliable watering system that is dependable. Do you guys have any or know anyone here with expertise in the area? Thanks in advance.
I’ve forgotten the name of it but there is a device available made for this purpose. Plus there are a bunch of MacGyver delivery systems out there too.
@semo63936
Is this a one time absence or a weekly occurrence ?
I grow in coco and even during the peak of flowering I could get away with 2 days without watering . What size pots are you in?
You really want to keep your coco watered at all times. You never want it to get dried out or else that can cause your roots to try and uptake anything available and can burn your plants and throw off your ph. I’d be watering coco daily so it doesn’t dry out. It’s a hard thing for soil growers to wrap their heads around because it seems like overwatering, but it’s not. Coco is designed to hold a large amount of oxygen, even when completely saturated.
@Watt-Sun this will be a weekly thing. At least one to two days a week and not more. I will be growing 3 candy cane auto’s (if I can get them to sprout) in 7 gallon vivosun fabric pots in a 4×2×5 tent. 70/30 coco perlite. Will 3 be over crowding? Using advanced nutrients sensi coco A and B. @MattyBear that’s the way some explain it and others say use with drip system and others say large pots are more forgiving. Is there a good general rule for my situation? @Myfriendis410 thanks.
I’ve never grown an auto but I know the photos get to be pretty big. I use 5 gal fabric pots and am able to not water for a day or two . Some allow the coco to dry out between watering some water constantly . I prefer the dry out method .
Plus, it becomes hydrophobic once it dries.
Blumat.
Have not tried them, but I’ve read good things.
Is that the same for promix?
I bought $100 worth of the blumat spigots that attach to bottles. I watered the crap out of each plant, and put 2 spigots in each 7gal pot with a 1 liter bottle on each. I was on a 4 day watering schedule and figured the bottles would keep them hydrated enough for an extra 3 days.
When I came home after 7 days the plants were pretty much dead.
I’m sure they work great for a couple days, but apparently a week is too long.
The blumat system with a reservoir might work better. Just be sure to test it before you entrust it.
No, Promix is mostly peat based and is more like soil. Coco is it’s own animal
@AAA got you here and as @Drinkslinger stated you need to be very diligent.
They are not perfect, I’ve seen people on here use them but make a mistake and come home to dead plants or a pool of water on their floor.
I think I would suggest going with autopots instead and a big reservoir since you plan to go with coco already.
Thanks all. @MattyBear how often would you water seedlings in coco?
Yeah, seems finicky. But, I’m planning on setting them up with a res and as my main and only form of watering.
Hoping to get them dialed in and set on cruise control.
Thanks @Drinkslinger. And if you ever get to the lab side I’ll buy your Blumats!
I hear you @Nicky.
I’ve debated it. Just wondering if its worth it. If the only added benefit is being able to pm other members I’ll pass.
You should have them in small pots that you can water daily.
Would you start out small and transplant even if they are autos? @MattyBear
I would. Just because you want them to get off to a fast start and still be able to water daily. I’d start in a small pot or solo cup and transplant as soon as you see roots poking out of the bottom so they don’t get root bound. I would only do one transplant tho. Small pot to final pot. Usually, with photo period plants, I’ll transplant 3 times
I went to Lowe’s and picked up a lawn irrigation timer for about 10 to 15 dollars…then pickup up a patio drip system for 12 dollars and I have it set to water every 3 days for 6 minutes…It’s been working perfectly…just some info to help in your decision… @semo63936…good luck
I’ve debated doing something similar but I don’t like the idea of watering to much if the plants not drinking or the idea of not watering it at all…
The blunt man is a good idea but having a timer on the reservoir would be a good control measure.
@Drinkslinger and others who are familiar,
@sutton would this be possible?
@Drinkslinger did you just use it the once and give up? I wonder if anyone has mastered these things with a big reservoir and a timer like I’m thinking