Smart pots lined with tarp for top 3/4 - Best Watering Practice

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Splash Gordon

Active Member
Hey guys, I recently grabbed some 5gal smart pots that are lined with tarp for the top 3/4 of the pot. The purpose is so that the pots retain moisture, so the root system fills out to the walls. I’ve noticed in previous smart pots the sides of the pot dry out much faster preventing the roots from growing wall to wall.

I wanted to get some feedback on how to water these girls now. I’m noticing the pots are holding moisture for a full week. I’m guessing this is alright, and I should reduce watering. However I’m curious how I should treat nutrients. Previously, I would add my nutes on weekends and would do a regular watering mid week. I don’t want to dial up the nutes to high by feeding every watering. I’m hoping someone with experience can offer some sound advice.
 

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Splash Gordon

Active Member
Gro-n-again said:
Doesn't that defeat the design of it? I mean you've effectively made a 3-5gal bucket
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Essentially, realizing this after the fact. Thought it would better for the root zone but now that I’m holding all this moisture I’m wondering how I should adjust water/feeding schedule.
 
DirtyJerzey

DirtyJerzey

Well-Known Member
Gro-n-again said:
Doesn't that defeat the design of it? I mean you've effectively made a 3-5gal bucket
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At first i was intrigued. Then seen you pointed out something very obvious immediately.

OP. Your going to need to meter your waste water. If you don't have one yet, get a good EC meter. You can monitor your PPMs and adjust your feedings accordingly. Ill admit I'm a DWC guy so i don't have this issue, but i am starting an outdoor soil op in the next few weeks.
 
magnetik

magnetik

Well-Known Member
if these are grassroots pots put them on risers and it'll dry out normally. You lose the bottom of the pot for air pruning / evaporation when sitting in the tray. That's a lot of area lost when the 80% of the bag is lined with plastic liner. So essentially all you have is the small strip at the bottom.
 
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Splash Gordon

Active Member
Good feedback. I started on DWC and preferred it but when I scaled up to multiple plants it became a bitch to maintain. I ended up losing 6 dwc in their 6 week of flower, from root zone temps getting to high. Soil has been far easier to maintain.

I might try making some pots with half the lining to see how that does.
 
Budzbuddha

Budzbuddha

Well-Known Member
Looks more like a design to provide a more rigid pot. Keeps pots collared but basically a smart pot.
Base your watering on actual plant usage not your schedule.
 
DirtyJerzey

DirtyJerzey

Well-Known Member
Splash Gordon said:
Good feedback. I started on DWC and preferred it but when I scaled up to multiple plants it became a bitch to maintain. I ended up losing 6 dwc in their 6 week of flower, from root zone temps getting to high. Soil has been far easier to maintain.

I might try making some pots with half the lining to see how that does.
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Ouch. Sorry about your 6.... in a tent?
 
twentyeight.threefive

twentyeight.threefive

Well-Known Member
Splash Gordon said:
Hey guys, I recently grabbed some 5gal smart pots that are lined with tarp for the top 3/4 of the pot. The purpose is so that the pots retain moisture, so the root system fills out to the walls. I’ve noticed in previous smart pots the sides of the pot dry out much faster preventing the roots from growing wall to wall.

I wanted to get some feedback on how to water these girls now. I’m noticing the pots are holding moisture for a full week. I’m guessing this is alright, and I should reduce watering. However I’m curious how I should treat nutrients. Previously, I would add my nutes on weekends and would do a regular watering mid week. I don’t want to dial up the nutes to high by feeding every watering. I’m hoping someone with experience can offer some sound advice.
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I've never had a problem with roots not hitting the edges in cloth pots. In fact I have to rip the cloth pots off roots included when taking them off. Most likely a user error due to incorrect watering.

PXL_20210119_203750166.jpg
 
lusidghost

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
Nothing wrong with that mind you, I just thought it looked funny. I've found that they usually pop out pretty easily if you cut it down the side and then continue across the bottom.
 
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Splash Gordon

Active Member
Might be watering issues, new pots have been lifted and after about 24 hours I’m noticing they’re lighter. They’ll be getting another watering tonight and I’m planning on switching from GH maxi line to jacks. Does anyone have feedback to share on switching nutrients 3 weeks in veg?
 
calvin.m16

calvin.m16

Well-Known Member
Splash Gordon said:
Might be watering issues, new pots have been lifted and after about 24 hours I’m noticing they’re lighter. They’ll be getting another watering tonight and I’m planning on switching from GH maxi line to jacks. Does anyone have feedback to share on switching nutrients 3 weeks in veg?
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The nutrient companies all use the same sh*t mostly so just test mixing them together in a 5 gal bucket before you water into the plants. If you notice any clouding or chemical reaction do not use it on the plants. lol that's the best I can tell ya.
 
twentyeight.threefive

twentyeight.threefive

Well-Known Member
Splash Gordon said:
Might be watering issues, new pots have been lifted and after about 24 hours I’m noticing they’re lighter. They’ll be getting another watering tonight and I’m planning on switching from GH maxi line to jacks. Does anyone have feedback to share on switching nutrients 3 weeks in veg?
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What EC are you feeding at now? I'd match the new nutrients to equal the same EC.

The pots should not only feel lighter when it's time to water but almost feel like nothing. If you have another pot fill it with your medium. That's about what it should feel like when it's time to water. Thoroughly soak the pot and don't feed again until it feels like the above.
 
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Splash Gordon

Active Member
twentyeight.threefive said:
What EC are you feeding at now? I'd match the new nutrients to equal the same EC.

The pots should not only feel lighter when it's time to water but almost feel like nothing. If you have another pot fill it with your medium. That's about what it should feel like when it's time to water. Thoroughly soak the pot and don't feed again until it feels like the above.
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So that is my normal process for watering. The lining holding the moisture for longer then expected is what’s throwing me off. In addition to the fact, I topped these pots off (previously I’d fill 2/3 w/ medium). In past grows I’ve tended to let my pots get too dry. Then resulting in lockout. That’s why I actually tried the lining figuring it could be a solution.

for anyone whose experienced growing in plastic pots, what have you found your normal dry time to be? In other words, how often are you watering?
 
twentyeight.threefive

twentyeight.threefive

Well-Known Member
Splash Gordon said:
So that is my normal process for watering. The lining holding the moisture for longer then expected is what’s throwing me off. In addition to the fact, I topped these pots off (previously I’d fill 2/3 w/ medium). In past grows I’ve tended to let my pots get too dry. Then resulting in lockout. That’s why I actually tried the lining figuring it could be a solution.

for anyone whose experienced growing in plastic pots, what have you found your normal dry time to be? In other words, how often are you watering?
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I'm not in soil but the dry time is going to vary for everyone. My current plants are a few weeks into 12/12 in 3 gallon pots of coco. They will be close to bone dry in 24 hrs after getting around 1 gallon of feed daily. Plant size, pot type, temp/RH conditions, etc everything will play a factor in it.
 
Babalonian

Babalonian

Well-Known Member
twentyeight.threefive said:
What EC are you feeding at now? I'd match the new nutrients to equal the same EC.

The pots should not only feel lighter when it's time to water but almost feel like nothing. If you have another pot fill it with your medium. That's about what it should feel like when it's time to water. Thoroughly soak the pot and don't feed again until it feels like the above.
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A word of caution, I’ve bought some pretty wet bags of media from the store. Let your sample sit 3-5 days for that dry weight.
 
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