New Grower Autoflowers, Autopots & Plant Size

[MediScrogs]

The octopot systems look kind of cool too, any of you guys ever look at those? Also sounds coco friendly, self watering and less moving parts. More like a hydrosoil system, seems could turn anaerobic depending on your reservoir turnover, but looks interesting nontheless.

I really appreciate the convenience of self watering systems like these, they've got some great time and labor saving advantages if you dial your nutes in.

 

[Resinhound]

Ive looked at the octopot system,what I didnt like about it was the proprietary bags you have to buy,at a premium ofc.Ive had best luck with simple hempy buckets,although I have considered the auto pot,but I grow small scale and I just prefer the ease and simplicity of hempy buckets.With a 24/0 light cycle and a small hempy you can grow short bud packed plants,its good for someone that doesn't have alot of headroom.

 

[Ozone69]

The octopot reminded me a little of the Earthbox grow boxes. The little water level meter on this one would be MUCH better for indoors, though. I inherited a couple of the Earthboxes that I used on my patio this summer. Tried some onions in one that didn't do much, but the two jalapeno plants I had in the other one churned out lots o peppers. I've thought about trying them with cannabis, but I'd have to figure out some sort of dipstick or other trick to guage the water level (outside you just fill until the water spills out the little lip on the bottom...not a good plan for inside).

 

[MediScrogs]

@Resinhound @Ozone69. Cool, I wasn't sure if anybody had tried an auto in one. I think both they and the autopots allow the grower to be away for longer periods of time than a hempy.

I've never tried a hempy before but I've heard about them a long time ago and I think they must work really well when set up right. I haven't read much in the hydro forum here so I'm not familiar with any current grows with them.

I like the simplicity of autopots although you can't run much organics through those tube without gunking up, apparently. I'm thinking about setting up autopots in a compost rich soil and perlite mix, ill

 

[MediScrogs]

I'll start them in a square fabric pot in a milder soil, then bury it directly into the autopot system with a richer soil and then water only through the reservoir, or maybe add some calmag and a little carbs and benes. Trying to get an organic style root zone in this method. I think organic granular fert could also be dressed in that would be slower release than a hot blend of compost, Botanicare makes one like that and there are others.

 

[MediScrogs]

I'd also plan to add a few wicks to the smaller pots at planting so they'd serve to hydrate that portion of the plants after tiering into the autopots.

Anyway, that's my plan for next time. I'll try and post a journal again and show the results of the experience.

 

[Ozone69]

Takes a while to cook up a batch, but some of the TLO style soil recipes I've been reading up on lately sound like they could work well with the autopots. The soil's are the way I understand pretty much designed to give the plant all it needs so all you have to supply is water.

 

[MediScrogs]

Takes a while to cook up a batch, but some of the TLO style soil recipes I've been reading up on lately sound like they could work well with the autopots. The soil's are the way I understand pretty much designed to give the plant all it needs so all you have to supply is water.

Sounds cool, I'm guessing a good complete soil for autos would be half or less strong than a photoperiod would tolerate.

Is that right? That's mainly why I want to tier new plants in at like day 20 so they're not getting crisped by planting directly to a hot soil

 

[Ozone69]

Not sure if the TLO's have to be less strong for autos than for photos. There are some recipes for TLO soils tailored for autos over in the organics section. My understanding is that you're creating more of a super friendly nutrient zone for the roots where they only take what they need despite an overabundance of available nutrients. This post/thread is what sold me on the idea: TLO for dummies thread in organics section. Unfortunately, I don't have a space right not to start up my own batch. But it's on my list of things I want to do with the hobby. :smoking:

As to planting directly in a hot soil, I've read where a lot of folks will put their super soil in the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of the pot, then put a more neutral soil/medium in the top of the pot. That way the plant doesn't get into the "hot soil" until it's grown enough to sink down the deeper roots.

 

[pop22]

I wondered the same thing! I went with the 3.9 pots and packed it into a little tent ( 32"x32"x63" )! We'll soon see!

Now, we all know general rule of thumb is that you can control plant size by the container and root size. I am looking at purchasing AutoPots and I am torn between two different styles. They offer a 3.9 gallon 4 pot system, and their XL 6.6 gallon system. Ideally, I would like to run the smaller system so I can save on soil/coco/whatever I choose to use. Do you think that I can still get large yields using the smaller system with AirDomes since the roots will constantly be air pruned? OR, do you think it's a safer bet to still run the larger system? Let's have some input, shall we?

http://growershouse.com/autopot-4-pot-system

http://growershouse.com/autopot-xl-system-4-pot


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