Questions on Autopot Nutrients

King Avitas

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone.

I recently purchased two 4 pot autopot xl systems and want to strictly stick to mineral based nutrients in my reservoirs to prevent blockages in my lines. But I still want my plants to get some things like guanos and kelp.

My question is can I use a very simple super soil blend in my pots and then feed mineral nutes from my reservoir effectively and safely? I personally don't see a reason why I couldn't but thought I would run it past you all before I start planning.
 

Poontanger

Well-Known Member
I would doubt that very much,, the soil would stay too wet I would imagine,
Even Coco and perlite always seems to be semi moist ,
 

Poontanger

Well-Known Member
If you had an on off tap between the reservoir and the pot you could always turn that off until it had used the water in the saucer and hand water from the top for a few days of whatever you wanted
 

King Avitas

Well-Known Member
If you had an on off tap between the reservoir and the pot you could always turn that off until it had used the water in the saucer and hand water from the top for a few days of whatever you wanted
Yeah that kinda defeats the whole reason for having the autopot system.

***************

I know that supersoil can be heavy and would possibly absorb more water than what would be considered healthy for the plants but I have seen guys on youtube doing it both successfully and unsuccessfuly.

My thinking was, what if I made it from scratch and made it light with lots of perlite and coco? I would skip adding any peat and soil. Just make a super-coco, with lots of perlite and whatever else makes up a traditional "water only" supersoil.

The autopots are designed to work with coco and perlite it's just all the addatives like the castings and guanos becoming saturated that worries me.

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Also I know top feeding is a big no no with the autopots because you wash salts that have migrated to the top of the pots back down into the roots but would this be an issue if I was in a super-coco feeding only RO water from the bottom? Would I be able to top feed in this situation?

If I could ammend the super-coco from the top occasionally, I think I would have a pretty kick ass system.

I would love to go organic in autopots, just scared to possibly waste a grow to find out.
 

Fahn2k

Well-Known Member
If you have the autopots with the newer aqua valve 5 you should be able to feed organically without worrying about clogging your lines. I would also go a step further and add a water pump to the reservoir to circulate the water and nutrient mixture every couple of hours

ORGANIC NUTRIENTS We recommend the following techniques when using organics with AutoPot Watering Systems - see below for Reservoir Feeding and opposite for Pot Feeding. The arrival of AQUAvalve5 has revolutionised the way in which organics can be fed through AutoPot Watering Systems. For the first time, we can recommend almost constant feeding of liquid organic nutrients, additives, and boosters in solution via the reservoir and pipework. It should be noted that this applies only to systems equipped with AQUAvalve5 and 9mm / 3/8" pipe and fittings. Earlier model AQUAvalves with 6mm / 1/4" pipe and fittings cannot feed liquid organics in solution via the reservoir and pipework on a constant basis. The wider apertures of fittings and pipework on AQUAvalve5 equipped systems produce vastly increased flow rates that practically eliminate potential blockages.

ORGANICS - RESERVOIR FEEDING Supply of liquid organic feeds from the reservoir via pipework. Only applicable to AQUAvalve5 equipped systems with 9mm / 3/8" pipework and fittings. Uses: Employed by organic growers who wish to simplify and automate to the greatest possible degree. Ideal for confined spaces, large numbers of modules and max. automation. Requirements: Watering system fitted with flush taps at ends of pipework runs. Reservoir to supply liquid organic feed in solution for the duration of the grow. Liquid organic feed. Step 1. Setting Up Step 2. Once the reservoir has emptied Step 3. Flush the pipework Step 4. 24hrs after flushing Switch the reservoir off. Disconnect the reservoir. Clean the reservoir inside. Clean the water pump and inline filter. Reconnect. Refill with plain water only. Fill reservoir with water and liquid organic nutrient. Follow nutrient producer’s directions when adding feed. A water pump should be used in the reservoir to keep the solution moving. It should not be necessary to run the pump constantly. 15mins every 2hrs is ideal. A B A B Switch the reservoir on. Place the flush taps at the ends of pipework runs into a container / safe drainage. Open flush taps for 30-60 secs. Allow plain water to flow out until it runs clear Close flush taps. Feed plants on plain water from reservoir for 24 hours. Add liquid organic feed again to correct dosage. Repeat. Top up the reservoir with water as necessary. C D A B C D A B MINERAL NUTRIENTS If mineral feeding is selected, the liquid or soluble mineral nutrient is simply added to the water in the reservoir in a controlled manner and fed via the pipework to the AQUAvalves in the module trays. From there the plants take up the water/nutrient solution as and when they require it. Feed according to nutrient producers’ guidelines. E: [email protected] AUTOPOT-USA.COM @AUTOPO

ORGANICS - POT FEEDING Use organic time release tabs, organic soils and/or bacteria in the pots. Use the reservoir and pipework to supply water only during the useful lifespan of the soil-based nutrients. Then, if required, for latter stages of growth hand feed organic feeds/teas directly into the trays or employ Reservoir Feeding (see Reservoir Feeding opposite) via the reservoir and pipework. Organic soils, bacteria and/or soil-based time-release tabs may become depleted after 5-7 weeks. The lifespan of soil or soil-based nutrients will depend on the type of plants being grown and the size of the pot being used. Regardless, an organic liquid supplement may become necessary during the latter stages of growth. Uses: Employed by those wishing to maximise control, customisation and/or use a variety of feed types including organic time release tabs/organic soils and/or bacteria in the pots with teas or organic feeds in latter stages. Requirements: Watering system and reservoir. Reservoir supplies only plain water for the duration of the grow unless switching to Reservoir Feeding for latter growth stages. Organic time release tabs/organic soils and/or bacteria in the pots. Organic teas/boosters/feeds if Hand Feeding latter growth stages. If Reservoir Feeding in latter growth stages see Nutrient Information - Reservoir Feeding Requirements.

ORGANICS - POT FEEDING TECHNIQUE Step 2. If useful lifespan of soil-based nutrients has elapsed • Either Reservoir Feed. See Reservoir Feeding section for details. • Or Hand Feed (see below) directly into module trays Step 3. Hand Feed organics directly into the trays - Once every 5-7 days • Switch Reservoir off and allow module trays to run dry - approx 12hrs Step 4. 12hrs after switching off Reservoir • Prepare the organic solution of your choice Step 5. • Using a small watering can or jug, pour the solution in a controlled manner next to the AQUAvalve, NOT ON THE AQUAvalve • Fill the tray to the point where the pipe enters the tray and stop • DO NOT pour the solution into the top of the pot as you will potentially risk flooding the tray and growing area • Leave the solution to be consumed by the plants in each tray and then repeat the process after 30 minutes • Switch Reservoir on to restore supply of water. • Repeat process every 4-5 days as required Those wishing to grow organically with soil-based nutrients can also do so with AutoPot Watering Systems by Pot Feeding Step 1. Potting Up and Setting Up • When potting up use organic soils and/or add bacteria and/or organic time release tabs of your choice to the substrate. Reservoir supplies your plants with water only. Step 6. 24hrs after feeding/once trays have run dry E: [email protected] AUTOPOT-USA

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