After searching for answers to my questions, I’ve decided to just start a topic and tag some friends.
Just for some background, I’m frequently out of town for 1-2 weeks at a time. I’m thinking an autopot system will elevate some of the work for my wife.
Secondly, I’m thinking coco would be the best medium with auto pots.
Also, I’d like some recommendations on 2, 3 or 4 pot systems. I’m not finding a lot of options that jump out as awesome set ups.
Also, if anyone has any different ideas other than auto pots, please speak up.
Now, the questions;
With auto pots, what are the pros and cons on Fabric vs. Plastic Pots?
Is anyone mixing perlite with their coco or using any coco blend product?
Do you have to flush coco at any point in the grow?
I don’t use auto pots yet. I have 2 Octopot 3 gallon container with fabric. I use straight coco. I find myself watering every day after they start to flower. If I were to do it again I would get the 4-pot 6 gallon set up and have a reservoir for continuous feeding.
I used to travel to Jamaica during grows for week or 2 at a time…I used Octopots with 5 gallon reservoir with grow sleeve in middle. I would too off that reservoir right before leaving for airport and when I came back they would be bone dry but still killing it. I found that if I left shade leaves on, the plant would use water in leaves in case I didn’t get back for couple days…good luck
I’m an experienced autopot grower
Autopots are a much better design then octopots you can find these reviews on YouTube and other places, autopots are the original and still the best.
Go fabric, plastic is the old system basically.
Fabric doesn’t need air domes/air pump. Growth is increased in fabric autopots so sais their R&D department.
I run coco/perlite 50/50 talked to Jason (autopot ceo who now just focuses on the R&D) he said it’s a great setup many things work but when I asked if pure coco would be better as some claim is strongly suggested against pure coco.
So be it.
You can re use your coco if it’s expensive in your area @Not2SureYet does its not worth it to me.
Ensure you get buffed and washed coco be it brick or bags.
I run two 30 Gallon tanks, I suggest spending the money in the pro flex tanks not the cheap ones like I did due to Legg issues.
Depending on how many plants, humidty, temp, and how big they can last 8-14 days on the 30 Gallon reservoirs.
30 Gallon tank for 4 plants is the smallest ide go, Infact your probably better off going one size up from that but your choice.
I also have 5 gallon buckets I mix a bit of extra nutrients so the girl just has to PH them before tossing them in the system Incase it goes low when I’m at work as I work in the oil patch.
Here is a good thread to read.
I’m loving my autopots. Takes a lot of the guess work out of the equation. Just keep in mind not to look at initial cost depending on how many pots you need. I bought the 2 pot XL system and now looking back should have bought the 4 pot system. Adding two more pots and connections will be almost as much as buying another 2 pot system. I think if you pull the trigger you won’t regret it. Waiting for current grow to finish and will be doing another two plants. The one I have growing right now is the nicest plant I’ve had to date.
Totally agree on the 4 pot system. I’m even thinking of the 6 pot system because of the larger reservoir and larger tubing. and scaling it back to 3-4 pots
Ok so I have a couple questions with the autopots I am using 2 systems 1 20gallon with 6 pots and 1 10gallon with 4 pots. My question is I’m using air domes with clay pebbles around them and then did organic soil with perlite instead of coco because I have heard really good things about using soil with them but anywaz. Do I need to always keep water in the tanks and do the aqua valves let the soil dry out at all or is this gonna be a huge problem?
Hard to say. I think it will depend on the soil mix you used. I know that the coco always stays moist not wet but a bit more than damp. If using a soil mix I’d be a bit concerned about soil compaction with the soil staying moist all the time. I don’t really know so take my opinion as speculation only. There might be someone on here that does Autopots and soil. @nicky might have some insight or experience in this area he’s been running Autopots for a while now.
Your first issue is the clay pebbles, did you ph buffer them. For 24-48hr? Their ph can wreck havoc on a grow and that’s why most experinced. Autopot users have gone away from the clay pebbles, now using plastic golf balls, perlite, or nothing.
Secondarily it will depend on the amount of perlite in the soil mixture, can’t really go back now on any of this so give It a ago.
Ideally 30% minium perlite but autopot recommends 50%. I’m un aware of any real world. Clone tests to see if it matter but I am currently just starting a coco grow that’s all coco in 2 pots vs coco and perlite at 50% in the other two pots.
The soil will always remain wet at the bottom but the top layer should dry out, if it doesn’t, turn the valve off to let it dry out then turn it back on and try again.
You may get some mosture at the top of your soil being it’s soil but shouldn’t be fully moist and you’ll be able to get the feel for this while watching for signs of over watering.
So I have been growing for 15 years in soil lol, I make my own organic super soil with foxfarm ocean forest, and fox farm happy frog as a base then I add 2 big bags of perlite, feather meal, alfalfa meal, crab meal… well u get it the whole down to earth line up, so basically all I have to do is feed phed water. This is just the first time with the auto pots lol kinda tricky. Next run I’m gonna switch to 30/soil 70/coco Loco foxfarm. The other question I have is with feeding for next run, when I mix my reservoir do I let it run out and then remix or what?
