Grow Mediums Autopots in a small-ish grow space?

[Gearhead]

Has anyone successfully tried to grow slightly smaller plants in autopots? I’m building a grow cabinet that is 32”x20”x54” inside dimensions. I have 2 autopot trays with the smaller 2.2 gallon pots and I’m hoping to be able to grow in both pots at the same time. I’m thinking of trying to adapt the tray to fit a smaller pot (2-4 liter?) but I’m not sure how that would work as far as keeping the wet/dry parts of the medium in balance. This will be my 2nd grow and first ever in this space and first time with autopots.

Here’s the cabinet that I’m putting together. Shelf can be moved down further for more head space. I apologize if the pics are sideways. (Tried editing them in my phone but website is still showing them sideways)

 

[Nosias]

Well good morning gearhead. Sorry it has taken me a time to see your thread.

The answer is @Archaic . He grows in a small cabinet. Check this out. https://www.autoflower.org/threads/archaic-fall-2019-stealth-cabinet.73224/

Best of luck and nice looking grow space.

 

[Olderfart]

I haven't worked in a space that small, so can't speak from that sort of experience. I have used autopots though, and suggest that you had best stick with small strains, and you will likely need to top, trim, and train aggressively to keep things under control, especially with 2 plants. Autopots grow them big if you get the nutes dialled. I managed with ~3 square feet per plant, but that was with noob screwups and two of the plants were a known small strain. I think with better growing skills, and moderate sized strains, your growdrobe should work well with one plant, but may be a challenge with two in autopots. I would stay away from strains that are on the large size. Even one of them in an autopot might be frustrating to work with in your space.

I await with interest @Archaic's take on your question.

Really nice growdrobe by the way, makes mine look a tad raw.

 

[Olderfart]

Oh, I forgot to mention. One of the things you will want to be careful of is air circulation - you are going to need at least one fan in there to keep air moving, especially if you attempt two plants. Keeping humidity in range in there will also require serious air exchange once the growdrobe gets plugged with canopy. You do not want humidity in there to get too high, especially during bud development. Have you planned on an extraction fan and filter of some sort?

One solution to space for fans is to use computer ventilation fans. They can be sometimes be had for free from computer repair places, and cheap ones are available online. They run on 12 volts, but that is easily supplied with a cheap battery charger. I used one of them per plant for a while in my grow.

I just noticed the fan in your pic. Maybe last nights meds are still with me in spite of the coffee.

 

[Gearhead]

I haven't worked in a space that small, so can't speak from that sort of experience. I have used autopots though, and suggest that you had best stick with small strains, and you will likely need to top, trim, and train aggressively to keep things under control, especially with 2 plants. Autopots grow them big if you get the nutes dialled. I managed with ~3 square feet per plant, but that was with noob screwups and two of the plants were a known small strain. I think with better growing skills, and moderate sized strains, your growdrobe should work well with one plant, but may be a challenge with two in autopots. I would stay away from strains that are on the large size. Even one of them in an autopot might be frustrating to work with in your space.

I await with interest @Archaic's take on your question.

Really nice growdrobe by the way, makes mine look a tad raw.

Thanks OF I appreciate the advice. I’ve read through your thread on your indoor grow and learned a lot from it. I’m currently growing 2 plants in soil in a 28x28x63” tent inside a closet but decided to move the operation out to the garage and picked up that cabinet cheap from FB Marketplace.

The cabinet is a work in progress. Once I harvest in the next week or so I’ll move some equipment from the tent into the cabinet. I have 2 quantum boards (100w each) and a good 4” exhaust fan and carbon filter. I’m going to be able to siphon air from inside the air conditioned house into the cabinet and out through the attic so that will help with the humidity problem in the Midwest summer.

I’m planning to use a coco/perlite mix in the autopots and received a bag of Megacrop in the mail the other day which I’m planning to use as my main and possibly only nutrient. It’s coming together nicely so far!

 

[Olderfart]

Thanks OF I appreciate the advice. I’ve read through your thread on your indoor grow and learned a lot from it. I’m currently growing 2 plants in soil in a 28x28x63” tent inside a closet but decided to move the operation out to the garage and picked up that cabinet cheap from FB Marketplace.

The cabinet is a work in progress. Once I harvest in the next week or so I’ll move some equipment from the tent into the cabinet. I have 2 quantum boards (100w each) and a good 4” exhaust fan and carbon filter. I’m going to be able to siphon air from inside the air conditioned house into the cabinet and out through the attic so that will help with the humidity problem in the Midwest summer.

I’m planning to use a coco/perlite mix in the autopots and received a bag of Megacrop in the mail the other day which I’m planning to use as my main and possibly only nutrient. It’s coming together nicely so far!

Sounds like you are set up for a productive and enjoyable grow. Glad to hear that my grow journal was helpful, that is why I did it - I received all kinds of generous help here, and would like to pass it on.

If your quantum boards are dimmable, start with them turned down. 200 real LED watts in your space may be a bit much, even at full height. If you can get your mitts on some of the newer Sweet Candy, I think it would be a useful addition later in flowering. Bud Explosion is no longer worthwhile IMHO if you get the newer version of Sweet Candy. You might consider picking up some Yucca powder from the Raw line, it might save you a bit of grief if your coco gets a bit dry while you are top watering. Make sure your coco is buffered, and you might want to have some Cal Mag and Epsoms on hand just in case.

Good luck with the grow, given your preparation, you should do just fine. If there is anything else that I or others can help with, please give a shout. If you do a journal, which I recommend, tag me, I would love to see how you make out.