I am doing my first indoor coco grow and need to fill four 5 gallon autopots at 70% coco and 30% perlite. So how much coco, perlite and coarse perlite should I get?
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Is there a reason you’re using pearlite? Some do and some don’t. Coco has the ability to provide lots of oxygen to the root zone on its own.
To answer your question it would be roughly 14 gallons of coco and 6 gallons of pearlite.
Most of the posts on here regarding coco and autopots are using them mixed. This is my first try at this so personally I know nothing lol
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Adding perlite is based on your preference, some do 3 to 1 ratio, some use 4 to 1.
Example, 1 solo cup perlite, 3 solo cups coco.
Using perlite just means you might need to water more frequently.
I used 100% coco for 3 runs, then did the 3 to 1 ratio.
Could tell anything different, will not add that expense anymore. Str8 coco again.
Started with coco, too simple to use.
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@FrustratedFarmer. I use about 2-3 coco bricks, no perlite.
Jul 2023 showed up here. Found journal of Hall of Fame grower, Hellraiser. His first time ever using jacks nutes and coco.
He was no longer active here, but used his journal to emulate.
His words, never seen the growth he witnessed, he would never go back. Jacks and coco for the win.
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I use about 50/50 coco-coir and perlite in my autopots.
I’ve noticed the more “drainage materials” i use, the better root systems i have after harvest.
Pots that i use more coco-coir then drainage materials, have less roots in my experience.
I say “drainage materials” because i dont just use perlite. I also use expanded clay pebbles, “buddystone” made from recycled glass and or perlite, the bigger the chunks the better it seems from my experience.
Above is pictures of what I sift out and reuse over and over. I use new coco-coir but reuse my clay pebbles, buddystones, and alot of the chunky perlite.
This is what it looks like in the autopot pot.
All i know is mine do better with more perlite then less
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Missed the autopots. What Pappy said 
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I run 50/50 in my autopots. With the airbases.
I bought one 5kg brick of Mother Earth coco
And one big bag of medium perlite
After washing the coco I had more than enough to fill my solo cups, mid size pots and the 4 final 5 gallon pots.
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I use strait Canna brand coco in 3 gallons usually. I’m moving up to 5 gallons this grow I think. I’ve never used auto pots so I have nothing really to add to the above conversations about them. Hellraiser is who got me on the Jacks and coco kick as well and I’ll never go back to soil for anything but mother plants and outdoor grows. I may have to try adding “drainage material “ like @1HappyPappy does because those girls look absolutely gorgeous!
I only asked why you were using it out of curiosity and now I think my next run will include some with and some without. I’ll do an all clone run so I can have a side by side comparison from start to finish.
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If you use the clay pebbles remember to buffer them a few times to stabilize the pH, or they can cause issues
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