Whiterabit
Member
Inside the pot, gold facing down. Outside the pot the gold faces up. You only want root contact with roots that are rouge.
Autopots and coco
- Thread starter MissTHC
- Start date
Star Dog
Well-Known Member
I used a very similar system successfully for years with 100% perlite, it was the 1st relatively hassle free growing I'd done to that point.
Coco is a great medium but I'm no so sure it's ideal for the autopot, using 100% perlite rules out any issues related with coco in non run off system, yes it might work fine with the right management but why give yourself a pia when it can be plain sailing.
Autopots and perlite is as close to idiot proof as you could possibly imagine.
Anyone looking for a easy route to successful hydro look no further lol...
Wouldn't it make sense to put the valve on the root control disc?
My trays filled with roots which I was quite happy about, never any problems.
Last edited:
Whiterabit
Member
On the outside of the pot you'd put the gold side up so any roots that escape the pot don't grow past the control disc... If that's what you mean. Having roots grow out of the pot is fine until it's not lol I've lifted the lid to see roots entangled in the bobbing part of the device which would have led to an open valve and flooding.
I've talked to a few growers who had success with perlite, never personally tried it. Maybe I will and see how it goes. My only concern is there's no wicking so the root system isn't fully optimized to uptake water/nutes. Interesting though.
Star Dog
Well-Known Member
Point taken with the roots if your using a single/double, the one I have is a tray with 4/8 pots, the valve has a cover over it to help stop roots, that's where I put the disc.
If I didn't I was losing a lot of root matter?
More importantly perlite absolutely 100% does have a great wicking capability, it doesn't hold a lot of water but it can transfer it amazingly.
Idk if your familiar with capillary but the normal is to prime it by watering from the top.
If you take a 10L pot of perlite sit in a tray of nutrients it will have wicked up to the top by morning without any priming.
Whiterabit
Member
That's awesome, thanks for the perlite info! That's why they had success! Learned something new
Star Dog
Well-Known Member
Jfc it might be the case that coco works great in autopots but I've read numerous times that coco needs flushing for whatever reasons.That's awesome, thanks for the perlite info! That's why they had success! Learned something new
Whiterabit
Member
Yeah, because of the wicking the coco gets salt buildup at the top (which is why top feeding after the system is running can cause issues). That's why I use cleaners that help remove the salts.
Star Dog
Well-Known Member
When I used perlite I hated the algae that stains the perlite green, so I made up some lids and it worked a treat, a couple of other benefits I didn't expect was a effect on humidity and root growth over the top of it, that was the 1st time I'd seen roots like it.
It's amazing what a piece of panda can do for your grow lol.
Well damn....too late now! Just hoping for the best at this point...
Poontanger
Well-Known Member
I am experimenting with two Auto pots now, and was wondering the same,, I am using canna Coco A + b @ 750-800 ppm, every few days I check the pH and ppm in the reservoir, which hasn't changed,, and so far the plants are as healthy and lovely dark green as anybody could hope for,, so much so the next time I mix up for the reservoir I'm going to cut back to 1 1/2 mil. Of nutrient instead of two,, I am also using an air stone in the base of the autopot,, not really sure if that is to help oxygenate or keep the nutrients mixed
Red stag
Member
Sounds very similar to me I have 3 pots First time using them with coco an pumice Im using Nutrifeild coco A an B
have the new pots with the 10mm hose an also have the air dome to blast some oxygen unsure weather it is nessasary tho
looks good so far
Poontanger
Well-Known Member
I have lifted the pot out of the saucer and done a ph and ppm on the water in the saucer,, and it is the same as the reservoir,, so I can only assume the plant is taking what it wants when it wants,, but to me they're real beauty is being able to completely disappear for 2 weeks knowing everything should kick a long
Star Dog
Well-Known Member
Are you in veg or flower, problems don't normally show themselves until around the 4th week of flowering.
Poontanger
Well-Known Member
Just about to flip
Week 4 of flower is nerve wracking! Lol
Poontanger
Well-Known Member
How much do you think each pot is drinking a day
I couldn't tell you yet tbh. I haven't turned on my resevoir yet they have been in the autopots for 11 days.
Yes I have read that generally you want a lower ec especially for coco and let the plants tell you when they need more nutes. I am definitely nervous about getting lockout in this system as it is my first time running it and you can't just flush your plants like you normally would to correct it.