Old Reviews Air Pots VS. Smart Pots????

[Alex Delarge]

Another major concern, and maybe better in other forum's (but have had no response), is seeds from germination to final air/smart pot. Should it be rockwool to hydroton in aeroponic, then pot. This is where things get vague. I lose large numbers of seeds in germination, and never once established. If coir, how should the wet dry cycles go?

 

[Alex Delarge]

Another question would be, with air pots, since they un-wrap, could they be started in one gallons, then moved to larger and larger containers, to optimize wet/dry cycles. Will have to add that to list of future experiments.

 

[WEEDOSHI]

Another question would be, with air pots, since they un-wrap, could they be started in one gallons, then moved to larger and larger containers, to optimize wet/dry cycles. Will have to add that to list of future experiments.

I think the entire reason why people plant in air pots is so the air can prune the roots. It self contains roots within the container while maximizing plant growth by providing oxygen directly to the roots, and at the same time preventing roots becoming bound to the pots via the air-pruning system.

Cheers,
Chad.

 

[Alex Delarge]

I think the entire reason why people plant in air pots is so the air can prune the roots. It self contains roots within the container while maximizing plant growth by providing oxygen directly to the roots, and at the same time preventing roots becoming bound to the pots via the air-pruning system.

Cheers,
Chad.

I am broke, and try to optimize everything. Do not like throwing HID lights at 12inch pots with 1/2 inch plants. Want to find the perfect way to start, nurture, and optimize, before final container.

Had very good success with late veg AF's floated out of flood and drain, and into coir. Also tried starting plants as aeroponic, to develop insane roots, then to other. Aeroponics is so easy, cheap, and effective, done DIY. Want to try it for 3 to 4 inch roots, then coir in air/smart pots.

Not trying to be a bitch. Will experiment. My thought is maybe a smaller air pot to make quick wet/dry cycles, then when rooted, open and put in a larger one, then existing roots will grow out, die and create more. I know the timing with auto's is a bitch, maybe better for photo's, or I am leaning towards long growing, larger plants (i used to call super auto, but heard it is politically incorrect).

I know most experts would agree with you, and just do things right.

 

[wwwillie]

Still new at all of this but here is what I have done so far.
Three gallon smart pots, name brand. They are in those plastic dish thingums to catch run off also have some channels in them so I suppose a bit of air gets in. I water to almost dry judged by weight of pot. When I water I water enough to get about 100 -150ml of run off. I pH my run off to see what my soil pH is doing. It has taken me a while to come up with this, my plants like it. They seem to take a bit over two liters a watering ATM.
For aeration I just use the smallest pump from Walmart and have two airstones attached one for each gallon.

 

[briman]

For germination, I have a small proagation grow tent(secret jardin) with a heat matt inside with a small t-5 light(used only for photo grows). I set the temp on the heat mat at 75*, then in a shot glass, I fill up 3/4 full with distilled water and add a drop or two of roots excelerator, place shot glass in center of heat mat and zip it shut, let go for 24 hours and check it tap root has shown, and if they are still floating, I give em a dunk to get em to drop to the bottom of the shot glass and leave em for another 24 hours. I have always had 100% tap root showing and I go to final pot(gloves on to not touch seed or root). I am a firm believer in doing things 1 time!!! The only time I dont get one to come up is if I plant it too deep. I like to use a pencil and just go just under the surface of the medium. Hope this helps.

 

[Alex Delarge]

Just got some 5 gallon smart pots, and wondering what to do about bottom. Have heard many like to get them off the floor for breathing through bottom. Would an inch of hydroton on bottom of bag be sufficient?

Also, any suggestion on what to put 5 gallon smart pots on. They are too big for plastic plates.

 

[Alex Delarge]

Hiya alex,gotcha some big smartpots huh? I use the smartpots for all of my grows.What I do is I found a few of the refrigerator shelfs-the grate kind and I put them on the floor of the tent on top of some cut 2x4's.When I water I just slide a catch basin under the grating for runoff from the pots.By keeping the smartpots off the floor it lets air circulate under the bottom of the pot and air prunes the roots as they come thru the bag.I used to just set them in the plastic runoff trays sold at garden shops but found the roots would grow thru the bag and into the plastic tray.Also by keeping them off the floor the root system stays warm,i've had them directly on the floor before and the bottom of the bags were cold which isn't good for the roots.Hope that helps.

Grow room floor is about 60 degrees, with these cold spells, on insulated board, but that is flower pots. Will not be implementing smart pots, and air pots for at least a month, or more. Have 3 gallon air pots due any day now.

The 5 gallon were only one inch bigger in diameter, than the 3 gallon, but 2 inches taller. Plan on not filling last 2 or 3 inches, for first run, and examine roots after harvest. Will post results in 3 or 4 months.

 

[Alex Delarge]

What size would be best for air-pots, for super-autos/autos?

 

[SAVAGE]

I'm testing dwc vs smart pots check my sig