autopots...again

[terry tibbs]

before i start can i just say this is a great forum,and i would not be switching to coco if i ant seen some grows on here.
like i say,this is my first time in coco and using autopots,and i`ve got a question for anybody whos used them.
im going to germ my seeds in 1" blocks,then transplant then into 4" blocks.so once they have taken to the 4"blocks,can i transplant them into the 15ltr autopot,or do i have to put them in smaller pots,then keep transplanting into bigger pots? plus the first time i put them into the autopot do i have to handwater them 4 a bit first or just switch the reservoir on thats connected to the autopot/smartvalve let them absorb the solution and will that be wet enough...does that make sense?
i will be greatfull of any replys
cheers

 

[CMoon]

my preferance for potting into a 15l would be from a 3l but a 4 in cubes big enough if you handwater it in for first weekish....you should see roots comming out the pot slits, when this happens hit the valve and use an airstone and pump to bubble the tray

cmoon

 

[bongoie]

i use 7.5 litre pots . have 8 smartvalves an trays tho . also use compost an the water wicks into it . my system might b different but i keep ma roots in the pot to stop them cloging the valve { with root controle fabric in the bottom of the pot} still experementing myself so am glad to read other opinions on autopots . best thing i have found is a battery operated timed valve to stop them gettin soaked in flower . cheers bongo can i link ma grow from another site ?

 

[Tanuvan]

i use 7.5 litre pots . have 8 smartvalves an trays tho . also use compost an the water wicks into it . my system might b different but i keep ma roots in the pot to stop them cloging the valve { with root controle fabric in the bottom of the pot} still experementing myself so am glad to read other opinions on autopots . best thing i have found is a battery operated timed valve to stop them gettin soaked in flower . cheers bongo can i link ma grow from another site ?

I'm not sure what you mean. I've never seen a problem with plants getting soaked in the flowering stage with autopots. Be sure you are using 50/50 perlite/coco or all perlite.

 

[CMoon]

I'm not sure what you mean. I've never seen a problem with plants getting soaked in the flowering stage with autopots. Be sure you are using 50/50 perlite/coco or all perlite.

very true m8, the system floods with the only thing there to remove it is plants, if there in an heavy meduim like pure compost or soil they will waterlog

bests cmoon

 

[hoosierdaddy]

I think The autopot folks recommend that you use 25 coco 75 perlite. They also state that you may need to top water the first time or two. IMO, one time feed from top to runoff is plenty. The res and valve will keep them hydrated from then on.
(I use the smart valve in my own res and pots)

 

[MEDI-EVIL]

i use 7.5 litre pots . have 8 smartvalves an trays tho . also use compost an the water wicks into it . my system might b different but i keep ma roots in the pot to stop them cloging the valve { with root controle fabric in the bottom of the pot} still experementing myself so am glad to read other opinions on autopots . best thing i have found is a battery operated timed valve to stop them gettin soaked in flower . cheers bongo can i link ma grow from another site ?

i agree bro, im in 16 ltr pots and i don't like leaving them with wet feet for 8 weeks 13 with veg, i have them on a timer it waters them for 4 hours a day.
which im finding is plenty, no need to flood constantly imo,what sort of nutes are you all using to bottom feed in a/pots..

 

[hazy]

I must be misunderstanding the posts about 'wet feet' with smartvalves. Doesn't the valve fill the tray to only 1" deep and then shuts off until the water is completely gone before refilling to 1"again? Does it not stay dry long enough?

 

[bongoie]

it can give a wet feet , or roots . well in soil . not sure about coco , its better for drainage . isnt it ? the pot can b left wet with water in the tray awaiting to b drunk . not to big a problem in veg , but in flower i find it to wet , and need to controle the water supplied .

 

[hoosierdaddy]

That's how they work, hazy. And they work fine.

 

[MEDI-EVIL]

depends on ur medium, im doing an organic soil grow.if i let run constant it cfuks my soil up.turns to mud dont ur roots head for the smart valve without root control.in soil you need a timer and some gravel in ur pot.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Maybe that is why the mfg recommends using a 25coco/75 perlite mix?
I have used straight perlite in the bottom couple inches and it wicks just fine too.
I experimented with different ratios of perlite and coco, including straight coco, and all of them performed the same. Never tried soil, although I do have some pots with soil in the bulk and perlite wick at the bottom. No problemo.