Grow Mediums Autopot tray vs reservoir ph

[OzScott]

I've experienced the exact same problem with my now 2x attempts at using autpots.
Environment basically same/same but different with cow pots vs peat pots.
No answers from me I'm afraid #Cloud10 - but following along for hopefully the good advice from others - as I'm quite... with autopots.
Both my autopot grow attempts failed with same issues and symptoms - in the end removed from all plants from the autopots, flushed each, re-established nute feeding - plants recovered - now hand watered daily.
Not a solution I know - but at least saved the plants on both occasions (albeit reduced yields no doubt)...

 

[cloud10]

@cloud10 This is just a stoned theory but the cow pots are made of cow manure and they have nutrient content. It may be that when you transplant the outside of that pot has concentrated Nitrogen (ammonium nitrogen) all around it. This gets released to the plant in rapid response to the water then continues to organically break down in the coco coir robbing the other nutrients by altering the cation exchange in the coir.

Pictures speak volumes?

I’ll post some pics in a bit.

 

[DCLXVI]

Where's @Olderfart and @pop22 ? I think they are autopot scientists.

 

[BII]

......
My concern is why do I have 6.7ph in my Autopot tray when my res is at 5.8.........
......

A plausible reason may be that your reservoir is relatively aseptic and lacking in organic and microbial content. In contrast, the AutoPot tray's water is in contact with the medium/soil being used, which is far from sterile, with microbial fermentation and metabolism of feed nutrients and natural plant exudates resulting in pH swings?

 

[Olderfart]

I have been on and off the internet, but am here at the moment. In any case, I can't help, I have no idea why the pH in your tray is so high relative to your reservoir. You already know about the bubbling issue, so I don't need to get into that. The one suggestion I can make is place a shallow dish of the nute solution in a covered dish to simulate tray conditions minus the pot and medium. If its pH does not climb, the issue is some sort of mischief with your medium or pots.

Good luck with it.

 

[pop22]

Get rid of everything but the Megacrop. For one, none of it is needed, secondly The Epsom salts is probably part of the issue, TOO much Magnesium. MC has all the Mg and Calcium you need. You've got lockout problem which in turn creates PH issues. Flush your pots with plain water, RO would be much better but your tap will probably do. Run about 5 gallons through each pot. shut off your res and empty the trays and place the pots back in them. Don't feed or water for a day.

Next, set your res to 500 ppms of just MC, PH 6.2. Your plants shoulsdrecover in a few days

Look up the ingredient list for Megacrop one part. everything you've added is already in it!

I have found a serious discrepancy between my reservoir and autopot tray ph levels. I stir and adjust the res daily and keep between 5.7 and 6.1. I checked the all trays yesterday and found the ph at 6.7. I am embarrassed I’ve missed this but am not sure where to head to now for resolution.

I am struggling on my grows with what seems like the same problem. Start off ok, slow nitrogen deficiency, then leads to what I think resembles a K deficiency and ultimately a stunted plant, damaged leaves, etc, etc. I have managed to harvest 2 plants despite what I’ve been subjecting them.

I purchased some NFTG Hades Down, in an attempt to get more stable ph, but is that a fix????? Am I overlooking something, is it likely my coco?

I did ph adjust to 5.8 combined with low ec water to prep before planting. I have transplanted and used cow pots to lessen the transplant and just drop them in autopots and let biodegrade. OTOH, I believe my first 2 girls grown in OF experienced the same symptoms. Starvation.

Looking for ideas before I flush them.


Autopots
Tap water 170-180ppm 6.8
Canna brick
Power Si
Green Leaf MC 2p (Ranged from 450-1000+ in an attempt to get different results)
Epsom salt
DTE 0-0-50
Recharge (occasionally)
Green leaf Kelp (occasionally)

 

[cloud10]

Strain, Age and what it appears to me as.

1. Fast Buds Lemon Pie Day 37. Tip burn, N def. Bottom water using trays.
2. Crop Kings 30:1 Day 37. Tip burn, nitrogen deficiency coming on. Couple tips indicate nitrogen toxicity also by clawing and blueish. I think from heavy ppm foliar. Bottom water using trays
3. Mephisto DG Sky BX Day 69 Ongoing N def, experienced a P def also. This plant was overcoming it and off to the races but stopped swelling. Res. fed
4. Mephisto DG Sky BX Day 69 Underside. Res. fed
5. DP Charlottes Angel CBD Day 69 Experienced N def, P def.. Res fed
6.Crop King 30:1 Day 23 Nitrogen deg starting in. Res fed

 

[cloud10]

@cloud10 This is just a stoned theory but the cow pots are made of cow manure and they have nutrient content. It may be that when you transplant the outside of that pot has concentrated Nitrogen (ammonium nitrogen) all around it. This gets released to the plant in rapid response to the water then continues to organically break down in the coco coir robbing the other nutrients by altering the cation exchange in the coir.

Pictures speak volumes?

My stoned interpretation of your theory sounds believable as I am no soil biologist. But, I have only used the cow pots on the last 3 plants. The first 2 plants I harvested experienced N&P def along with stunted and slowed growth as well, although seemed like the soil was more forgiving. I should have took a ph reading on the trays during that grow.

 

[cloud10]

I've experienced the exact same problem with my now 2x attempts at using autpots.
Environment basically same/same but different with cow pots vs peat pots.
No answers from me I'm afraid #Cloud10 - but following along for hopefully the good advice from others - as I'm quite... with autopots.
Both my autopot grow attempts failed with same issues and symptoms - in the end removed from all plants from the autopots, flushed each, re-established nute feeding - plants recovered - now hand watered daily.
Not a solution I know - but at least saved the plants on both occasions (albeit reduced yields no doubt)...

Misery loves company!!! LOL!!!

In all seriousness, I am super frustrated but, I have also netted 6oz off 2 autos I have barely kept alive it seems. So it is bittersweet, I just need to figure out why the res water is getting this high. I need perform some tests with some res solution in and out of the trays. Not sure yet.

 

[cloud10]

A plausible reason may be that your reservoir is relatively aseptic and lacking in organic and microbial content. In contrast, the AutoPot tray's water is in contact with the medium/soil being used, which is far from sterile, with microbial fermentation and metabolism of feed nutrients and natural plant exudates resulting in pH swings?

I have been on and off the internet, but am here at the moment. In any case, I can't help, I have no idea why the pH in your tray is so high relative to your reservoir. You already know about the bubbling issue, so I don't need to get into that. The one suggestion I can make is place a shallow dish of the nute solution in a covered dish to simulate tray conditions minus the pot and medium. If its pH does not climb, the issue is some sort of mischief with your medium or pots.

Good luck with it.

That my next step I suppose, I have a few different things to test I suppose. I guess I'll flush hand water as OZScott stated for now.