New Grower Autoflowers, Autopots & Plant Size

[pop22]

I use one mix for both autos and photos. Give the mix enough cooking time. minimum 30 days but 45-60 would be better.

I'm doing coco in my auto pots but I'll do organic in them in the future, may buy another set.

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

 

[MeefChief]

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!

It seems like 3.9 is the general consensus so far considering it's 15L which is a decent size.

 

[Resinhound]

Heres what im doing in a simple 1 gallon hempy,water once a day.Pretty simple dont have to worry about wicks or smartvalves to clog with roots or anything pretty much,but like I said im small scale grower and this works just fine for me.And cheap this was an old tea jug I cut the top off..youre right though if you cant be around for days autopot would be better,i guess.

 

[MediScrogs]

Cool stuff guys. Thanks for all the suggestions. Like that hempy plant in the pic above.

I need a system that can be left alone for several days at a time. I agree that the autopot system can fail if roots grow into and clog the aquavalve, causing a reservoir dump and flood. That's my biggest issue with it. I think a grower has to anticipate this and check it regularly and prune roots if need be. I think that was the appeal of the octopot, less moving parts, no chance of flood, and can customize each pot's nutrients. They're double the cost though. I'll probably try autopots just because the price is so much better.

 

[pop22]

In a TLO/Organic grow, issues with the system would be non-existent. And the valves themselves are so simple that I doubt there would be many issues. Only with organic "soup style" nutes could be a problem and some routine maintenance would prevent even that situation. This as simple as it can get except for a Kratky bucket or hempy.

Cool stuff guys. Thanks for all the suggestions. Like that hempy plant in the pic above.

I need a system that can be left alone for several days at a time. I agree that the autopot system can fail if roots grow into and clog the aquavalve, causing a reservoir dump and flood. That's my biggest issue with it. I think a grower has to anticipate this and check it regularly and prune roots if need be. I think that was the appeal of the octopot, less moving parts, no chance of flood, and can customize each pot's nutrients. They're double the cost though. I'll probably try autopots just because the price is so much better.

 

[MediScrogs]

I know a member here said he's had a couple reservoir fails due to the roots interfering with the valve. I wanna say that was Duggy, obviously I can't speak for someone else, I think that's where I became aware the system is not perfect but that a consistent eye on it would try to prevent 10 or 15 gallons spilling out on the grow floor.

I wondered how easy it might be to clean the feed tube once in awhile so a guy could use more organics or teas in the res. Pops, you know the best way? I think I wouldn't worry so much about what soil to use if I thought I could use something like biobizz fishmix and bloom, I keep hearing good things about that stuff.

 

[MeefChief]

I know a member here said he's had a couple reservoir fails due to the roots interfering with the valve. I wanna say that was Duggy, obviously I can't speak for someone else, I think that's where I became aware the system is not perfect but that a consistent eye on it would try to prevent 10 or 15 gallons spilling out on the grow floor.

I wondered how easy it might be to clean the feed tube once in awhile so a guy could use more organics or teas in the res. Pops, you know the best way? I think I wouldn't worry so much about what soil to use if I thought I could use something like biobizz fishmix and bloom, I keep hearing good things about that stuff.

I'm wondering if you could go organic if you filtered your nutrients before you poured them in, as if you were using a tea. I know this may not be the most beneficial for the plants, but it would probably work.

 

[pop22]

I'm sure it would work, you'd definitely have to flush your lines regularly as the organ nutes will build up inside after a while.

I'm wondering if you could go organic if you filtered your nutrients before you poured them in, as if you were using a tea. I know this may not be the most beneficial for the plants, but it would probably work.

 

[Ozone69]

Figured this was as good a thread as any to see if anyone has tried or heard of anyone using these "Smart Valve Watering Kit" valves that sound like they work similar to the auto valve's in the Autopots. Namely in that they fill (to an adjustable level), then are supposed to wait for things to drain before filling again. Thinking of getting one or two and trying them out with some small flood trays to start a couple dozen pepper seeds for outdoor garden, and then maybe using them for seed starting on auto's down the road if they work well.

http://www.garden-innovations.co.uk/smart-valve.html

 

[pop22]

Looks interesting!

Figured this was as good a thread as any to see if anyone has tried or heard of anyone using these "Smart Valve Watering Kit" valves that sound like they work similar to the auto valve's in the Autopots. Namely in that they fill (to an adjustable level), then are supposed to wait for things to drain before filling again. Thinking of getting one or two and trying them out with some small flood trays to start a couple dozen pepper seeds for outdoor garden, and then maybe using them for seed starting on auto's down the road if they work well.

http://www.garden-innovations.co.uk/smart-valve.html