Grow Mediums 1st Autopot/Autoflower Run: Come help a newbie out!

[Olderfart]

I'm going to be using the included plastic pots so no fabrics this run and also already have the Coco Coir/Perlite mix and Hydrotons coming so I might as well give it a go. Thank you for taking time and explaining that @Olderfart. I'm sure you're right, and I'll make sure coco gets down to where the Hydroton is at the bottom of the pot. (Oh, and pray it doesn't cause pH problems.)

Your hydroton should be fine if it comes from the same manufacturer as your coco mix. I am pretty sure that the problems have been with cheap generic stuff off Amazon.

Since you are using the plastic pots, it might not hurt to increase your perlite a bit. I used~40%, and others here use up to 50% with great results. Extra perlite in autopots is very unlikely to hurt in my opinion, but not enough of it definitely has the potential for, if not trouble, at least less optimal results. I think this is especially the case if the perlite already in your mix is on the consistently fine side. I know my Sunshine #4 mix is advertised as being well aerated with perlite, but compared to the mix I used last winter, there is not that much in there, and it is all fine. So I added ~30% perlite to my current mix anyway.

 

[Saven]

Ended up buying the Megacrop 2 part. Think I'll need something like Drip Clean? Or maybe Recharge? Those were two other products I've seen other autopot users use and rave about in other grows. Would love for someone to chime in.

Also, updated the first initial post with links and also will be updating with equipment as I go.

 

[Nosias]

All great advice from the above posters.

Just want to add my experiences....I use autopots, 50/50 coco/perlite,(have used 100%coco, and all various ratios of coco/perlite). I have never used clay, airdomes. 50/50 has worked best for me.

I have bought the cheap China ph and tds meters and have encountered-"you get what you pay for". Although it appears expensive at first, my Hanna meter has been well worth it. Three years ago I bought Hanna HI9813-6 portable pH/EC/TDS/Temperature Meter with CAL Check and never have had a problem with it. The key i believe is using storage solution when not in use And calibrating it once a month.

I started with gh trio nutrients for a couple of my first grows and they turned out well.
I switched to Megacrop v1 and had troubles, then bought v2 and still had troubles----had gunk in my lines and at the bottom of the resevoir, so I had to clean the autopot system more often. So, I went back to GH trio, and Botanicare Calmag, and haven't looked back. Further, I have used stimulators, enhancers, explosions-pk boosters and have found for me personally it wasn't worth the money and made things more complicated for my simple mind. But, others who know how to use these can produce great results. My suggestion for newbs-keep it simple.
I take full responsibility of not being able to "dial in" Megacrop, because there are many good growers on afn that can make it work for them. I just didn't want to hassle with it.
Have fun and good luck!

Well said. :dragon1:

 

[Death The Cultivator]

Ended up buying the Megacrop 2 part. Think I'll need something like Drip Clean? Or maybe Recharge? Those were two other products I've seen other autopot users use and rave about in other grows. Would love for someone to chime in.

Also, updated the first initial post with links and also will be updating with equipment as I go.

Yucca from Starwest Botanicals will work instead of Drip clean and improve plant tolerances. Recharge isn't a bad choice of inoculant, it has humic/yucca/kelp/trichoderma/myco.

 

[Saven]

I will be posting updates in my grow diary HERE.

Would love if you all checked it out! Thank you.