New Grower Airpots!!

[riz la green]

I always let my pots sit in run off to allow them to wick up the runnoff. People above are confusing the advice that is don't leave them sitting in it for longer then 15 minutes and don't do it just before lights out on a cold day.

Since i give the plants a wet/dry cycle i want to be sure that i am soaking them when they are watered and since just top watering in pots with dryish soil allows the water to run directly through and out the bottom unless you are doing it painstakingly slow. Now thats with regular square pots, with airpots i found it a must as the holes in the side allow water to run out, i got individual trays that were a couple of inches deep, top watered a little and bottom watered, let sit for a bit then went back and done the same until pot was heavy enough. Gave up on the airpots as they are too much hassle to water.

I only use organics and short flowering strains, i wouldn't worry about salt build up unless i had 12 week strains or longer.

Hello, I was wondering if anyone is having problems with your airpot taking up the feed/water runoff? I have a standard plastic runoff tray that has small ridges (X) in the tray, and it isnt looking like it is taking up the runoff!! Any thoughts ???

The bottom of the pot sits about 1cm off the bottom of your tray, the runoff has to be more than 1cm deep to touch the bottom of the soil of the airpot.

 

[namvet25]

I agree with Rizla only when you use airpots.Iuse airpots and also let the runoff stay in the tray so the bottom can wick it up and being air pots have that insert thats off the bottom it can only soak up so much.the rest I leave in the trays for added humidity.I think this is ok if your using organic nutes and don't have to worry about sucking up the flushed acids and salt from reg nutes.:smokebuds:

 

[Muddy]

Bottom watering can be okay as long as you don't let them sit for longer than is needed for all the soil to become moist. But as Goauto pointed out, you still need to top water to leach out the salts. Having a lot of water run out when the soil is dry is common as the soil contracts and pulls away from the pot. I always run my hand around the inside rim of the pot, loosen the soil a bit, and fill in that space. The loose soil expands quickly and stops that fast run off.

 

[Groff]

I can really tell the difference with using airpots and coco. Much much faster and stronger growth!

But I really find it hassle that, as the run-off collects in the tray, next day I have to remove the pot, pick up the tray and pour he water into a bucket, put the plant back in and feed-water for the day... x 8 plants!! I'm getting a bit (very) tired of that. How on earth do you guys make your pots able to suck up the run-off? I've got the 10L version, and the bottom net of the airpot is just too high up. Salt buildup is not that critical if you give it a good flush every coupe of weeks.

Any advice? I wouldn't mind feeding to waste, but I can't have the entire tent soaked wet all the time, not I have a mean to collect the water

 

[MOBS420]

I can really tell the difference with using airpots and coco. Much much faster and stronger growth!

But I really find it hassle that, as the run-off collects in the tray, next day I have to remove the pot, pick up the tray and pour he water into a bucket, put the plant back in and feed-water for the day... x 8 plants!! I'm getting a bit (very) tired of that. How on earth do you guys make your pots able to suck up the run-off? I've got the 10L version, and the bottom net of the airpot is just too high up. Salt buildup is not that critical if you give it a good flush every coupe of weeks.

Any advice? I wouldn't mind feeding to waste, but I can't have the entire tent soaked wet all the time, not I have a mean to collect the water

This is what im talking about! the air pot will not wick up the run off!! I top water/feed very slow so it wont run out the holes! and yes im useing organic nutes , Roots Organic Grow, Bloom and Trinity!

 

[Groff]

I think I will attempt some DIY crosseover of airpot and autopot. I really love the concept. :cough:

 

[riz la green]

I have a little tree in an airpot out n the back garden, during the summer it can get bone dry and is impossible to water, the soil doesnt want to wick very well either, i put the pot in a bucket that is just about 1 inch bigger all round than the airpot and top water slowly allowing the bucket to fill, allow to wick for a few mins then water some more.

 

[MOBS420]

Hey thanks everyone for your input !! Both good ideas riz la and groffuwiwi :thumbs: