Grow Mediums Octopot/autopot and coco poor wicking.

[SmokeMoreMeph]

So I recently pulled an auto that was quickly dying in my octopot. After pulling I noticed the coco was incredibly dry even though the reservoir was just under the 3rd stripe (almost full).

Seems like my coco doesn't have good wicking properties. Has anyone else experienced this? Have any of you noticed a coco that had better or worse wicking?

 

[Olderfart]

So I recently pulled an auto that was quickly dying in my octopot. After pulling I noticed the coco was incredibly dry even though the reservoir was just under the 3rd stripe (almost full).

Seems like my coco doesn't have good wicking properties. Has anyone else experienced this? Have any of you noticed a coco that had better or worse wicking?

Your coco got so dry that it is hydrophobic. It does this if it really dries out. You need to seriously soak it and mix it to make sure it is entirely moistened throughout the pot before planting in it, and never let it completely dry during the grow. A wetting agent helps distribute nute solution. I use yucca powder.

Sorry to hear that your plant died because of this problem. Good luck with the replacement.

 

[DogterB]

So I recently pulled an auto that was quickly dying in my octopot. After pulling I noticed the coco was incredibly dry even though the reservoir was just under the 3rd stripe (almost full).

Seems like my coco doesn't have good wicking properties. Has anyone else experienced this? Have any of you noticed a coco that had better or worse wicking?

What coco did you use? They recommend coco loco. I haven’t tried it or an octopot yet but plan to try a DIY octopot soon and was going to try the coco loco. Now I’m reconsidering. I’ve never used coco, I’ve only grown in soil. Have you used the octopot successfully before?

 

[SmokeMoreMeph]

Your coco got so dry that it is hydrophobic. It does this if it really dries out. You need to seriously soak it and mix it to make sure it is entirely moistened throughout the pot before planting in it, and never let it completely dry during the grow. A wetting agent helps distribute nute solution. I use yucca powder.

Sorry to hear that your plant died because of this problem. Good luck with the replacement.

Nah it wasn't that dry, also before potting it was rinsed like crazy and then again with my starter solution. Then watered from the top the first time.

It's hard to explain it wasn't like light brown bone dry but it was when you grab a handfull and squish it you can feel the water but no drips come out

 

[SmokeMoreMeph]

What coco did you use? They recommend coco loco. I haven’t tried it or an octopot yet but plan to try a DIY octopot soon and was going to try the coco loco. Now I’m reconsidering. I’ve never used coco, I’ve only grown in soil. Have you used the octopot successfully before?

No sir this was my first try with the octopot I've had really great grows for years in coco though.

It was the general hydroponics coco it's called like cocotek or grotek or something comes in the blocks

 

[SmokeMoreMeph]

Your coco got so dry that it is hydrophobic. It does this if it really dries out. You need to seriously soak it and mix it to make sure it is entirely moistened throughout the pot before planting in it, and never let it completely dry during the grow. A wetting agent helps distribute nute solution. I use yucca powder.

Sorry to hear that your plant died because of this problem. Good luck with the replacement.

One thing I should mention is I use a lot of perlite and hydroton. Probably ends up somewhere near 1:1 half coco half perlite and hydroton

 

[Olderfart]

One thing I should mention is I use a lot of perlite and hydroton. Probably ends up somewhere near 1:1 half coco half perlite and hydroton

That might dry it out earlier. Bottom line is that ya gotta start moist throughout, and keep it that way.

 

[Olderfart]

Nah it wasn't that dry, also before potting it was rinsed like crazy and then again with my starter solution. Then watered from the top the first time.

It's hard to explain it wasn't like light brown bone dry but it was when you grab a handfull and squish it you can feel the water but no drips come out

In which case, I haven't a clue mate. If it was moist, the problem was not caused by hydrophobid coco.

 

[Olderfart]

Another possibility is that there is too much hydroton in the mix. Did you put any extra hydroton or anything else to increase drainage in the bottom of your pot? IMO, not a good idea if you did, you need a good percentage of coco all the way down.

 

[DogterB]

No sir this was my first try with the octopot I've had really great grows for years in coco though.

It was the general hydroponics coco it's called like cocotek or grotek or something comes in the blocks

Gotcha. Man, that’s a bummer that happened with your first run with it. All I know is they are really specific about the soil/perlite & coco/perlite ratios, maybe it was off? Also, I see you said you used hydroton, they definitely recommend not using it but idk if they mean JUST hydroton or not at all. Hopefully your next go works out better, I’m super curious about those octopots and how they do. If you do a diary on the next one let me know, I’ll follow along.