Grow Mediums Poll on autopot failures

[lunarman]

There is a thread on the coco coir board about autopots and how you might say they are the new darlings on the block and people (especially newbies) will flock to them and there really isn't much data on how often they are really failing and maybe we should be more cautious about using them. This is not about whether you like gravity bottom feeding systems vs top fed. This is just whether you have had a failure with the system. There have been people saying they have had a valve issue that caused a flood. I'm just curious if this happens a lot and we'll see that in the poll, or if we'll see very few say they had failures.

Anyway, I hope I gave good options to select from in the poll.

 

[Screwauger]

I'm finishing up my second AP grow. Only issue to date was roots blowing out the bottom of the pot. I suspect this is user error (missing or improper use of RCD) but will not know for sure until harvest.

 

[lunarman]

I'm finishing up my second AP grow. Only issue to date was roots blowing out the bottom of the pot. I suspect this is user error (missing or improper use of RCD) but will not know for sure until harvest.

I left the poll open indefinitely. Once you know if it was operator or product related you can cast your vote in the poll!

 

[KonopCh]

Yea, I had accident, but it was my mistake. I put reservoir on little table with tiny legs. After one or two days I was heard some noise... You know what was next...

 

[bubblenut]

I have just started with my autopot system. Unfortunately i bought blind off flea bay in a hurry, and i ended up with the original green round Autopot system, not the nice big square ones.
Anyhow, started seeds as per normal, went well for about 7 days then dried up and kaput! New beans are going alot better but i did nothing different with my germination/seedling care....????
Also at what sort of size would you plug in res and stop top feeding???

 

[KonopCh]

I have just started with my autopot system. Unfortunately i bought blind off flea bay in a hurry, and i ended up with the original green round Autopot system, not the nice big square ones.
Anyhow, started seeds as per normal, went well for about 7 days then dried up and kaput! New beans are going alot better but i did nothing different with my germination/seedling care....????
Also at what sort of size would you plug in res and stop top feeding???

You must hand water from top... for around 3 weeks. When plant is as wide as pots.
With green one, placed together, I would SCROG instead of "let them go".

 

[briman]

I run house and garden drip clean in my rez for autopots. It keeps the 1/4 inch lines and valves clear. I have had NO problems ever with both my systems. Cheap insurance if you ask me.

 

[lunarman]

I have just started with my autopot system. Unfortunately i bought blind off flea bay in a hurry, and i ended up with the original green round Autopot system, not the nice big square ones.
Anyhow, started seeds as per normal, went well for about 7 days then dried up and kaput! New beans are going alot better but i did nothing different with my germination/seedling care....????
Also at what sort of size would you plug in res and stop top feeding???

Look at the autopot air domes too. Add them if you don't have any yet.

 

[bubblenut]

Look at the autopot air domes too. Add them if you don't have any yet.

Would love them but here in Aus we are very limited on resources.
Can only order from U.K and it would take better part of a month to get here! This round will do without them and putchase for next round.

 

[Screwauger]

I just now harvested the Green Crack plant that blew roots out of the bottom of the autopot.
I've had it in a makeshift DWC but by the odors, I suspected root rot and I indeed had some rot.
After dissecting the pot, there was a properly placed RCD in the bottom of the pot. It was copper side up facing the coco/medium.
I realize some place them copper side up in the tray, the autopot walkthrough recommends the tray and the pot if you watch all demos.
In the pot copper side up worked a treat for my scrog with photo plants that grew for 60 days longer than this auto.
I suspect this occurred because of my plan to re-use the RCD's vs wait two weeks for new to be delivered.
Live/learn.