Autopots

ComputerSaysNo

ComputerSaysNo

Well-Known Member
Putting loose hydroton in a tub is not a problem at all as long as you have something to fish out the hydroton. The hydroton floats to the top of the water bucket, it's very easy to remove by hand or with a kitchen sieve.

Good point about the laundry bag, though. That would be a good method.
 
Star Dog

Star Dog

Well-Known Member
Clay pebbles ime have a poor capillary ability and ph issues, perlite would be my choice, it's inert doesn't require buffering like the pebbles do and it has a great capillary action, you can use 100% perlite with autopots.
 
ComputerSaysNo

ComputerSaysNo

Well-Known Member
Perlite is great, I've only used pebbles because I didn't have any perlite at hand and wanted to get going with my grow.

I can't report any pH issues with the pebbles, however.
 
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phoneman87

Member
Star Dog said:
Clay pebbles ime have a poor capillary ability and ph issues, perlite would be my choice, it's inert doesn't require buffering like the pebbles do and it has a great capillary action, you can use 100% perlite with autopots.
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awesome, thanks for the info. I will probably go with that instead of the hydroton. I feel like there's less to go wrong and don't want to be stressed for the next 90+ days waiting for something to go wrong due to my error
 
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phoneman87

Member
ComputerSaysNo said:
@phoneman87 Just make sure you put enough perlite in. It should be around 50/50 perlite/coco. And don't forget the perlite layer in the bottom of the pot (1 inch high).
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Sorry I should've clarified, I will do the one inch or so of perlite in the bottom, using promix hp as my medium. Do you think I should add some perlite to the hp or is it fine to use right out of the bag? Thanks for the info guys
 
ComputerSaysNo

ComputerSaysNo

Well-Known Member
The recommendation is 50% perlite or hydroton in the mix. The promix will probably not have enough perlite in it.

The grower "Hoocho" (on YouTube) who runs his own wick system uses 40% perlite and 60% coco as a medium.

This is definitely important in those wick systems, or else the medium might get too soggy, and not aerated enough.

You should consider giving coco a try; it's really well suited for this kind of setup.

The plant will have enough water at all times, it is constantly provided from the tray. Like @Star Dog said above, you could even grow in 100% perlite.
 
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phoneman87

Member
ComputerSaysNo said:
The recommendation is 50% perlite or hydroton in the mix. The promix will probably not have enough perlite in it.

The grower "Hoocho" (on YouTube) who runs his own wick system uses 40% perlite and 60% coco as a medium.

This is definitely important in those wick systems, or else the medium might get too soggy, and not aerated enough.

You should consider giving coco a try; it's really well suited for this kind of setup.

The plant will have enough water at all times, it is constantly provided from the tray. Like @Star Dog said above, you could even grow in 100% perlite.
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Using coco right now but having some issues. Definitely didn't do 50% perlite so that might be the problem. Looks constantly wet but not drinking much from res. Still alive and not horrible but really wanted to simplify by using dyna gro fp then some mag pro at flip. Saw another user using same method with success but willing to try whatever works best.
 
mytwhyt

mytwhyt

Well-Known Member
Are you still top watering, if so, is top watering necessary? I noticed that the soil always has that appearance..
 
Frank Nitty

Frank Nitty

Well-Known Member
mytwhyt said:
Are you still top watering, if so, is top watering necessary? I noticed that the soil always has that appearance..
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No,I stopped doing that a while ago... Every time I use these it stays like that... Maybe it's because I water them heavy to try and get the root down faster???
 
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ScatterBoogeyHoopsie

Member
20211029_061525.jpg

I'm at about 8 weeks. They both got a serious deficiency about 2 weeks into the autopots that looks like a mag issue. Ive treated it but it doesnt seem to be going away. One almost entirely died. Just flipped to flower and am hoping for the best.
 
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ScatterBoogeyHoopsie

Member
Star Dog said:
What ec are you using?
Have you tested the run off?
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I'm using only charcoal filtered water in the res phed to 5.8-6.3. Top watering in nutrients into living soil. I treated the apparent magnesium deficiency with Natures Brix and Green Aminos from gro Green. As well as a foliar of those 2 with some magnesium sulfate added for good measure.

I'm in water only now for a week to see how things shaken out. I dont know many people trying to make living soil work in autopots but I'm committed! I have some microbe innoculants on the way to hopefully help with the anaerobic lower soil levels and ainhave an airdome running, which should help that as well.
 
pinner420

pinner420

Well-Known Member
ScatterBoogeyHoopsie said:
I'm using only charcoal filtered water in the res phed to 5.8-6.3. Top watering in nutrients into living soil. I treated the apparent magnesium deficiency with Natures Brix and Green Aminos from gro Green. As well as a foliar of those 2 with some magnesium sulfate added for good measure.

I'm in water only now for a week to see how things shaken out. I dont know many people trying to make living soil work in autopots but I'm committed! I have some microbe innoculants on the way to hopefully help with the anaerobic lower soil levels and ainhave an airdome running, which should help that as well.
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Im getting on this train with ya. Ran 15 sungolds and eirlooms on the deck with soil out of the bag. Wasn't focused enough but i can tell ya at the end they did get starved for calcium... everything else seemed on point though.... i say this next part with respect i hope you don't have an led difficiency.... lots of old timers here having to dial decades old tried and true recipes to accommodate new lighting tech...
 
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