New Grower First Time AutoPot - Few Questions

[BaBaBaBa]

Hi there!
I've just bought a new autopot system and there are a few things I'm not sure of and I need the experts help :Stones slap:
1. what is the best way to germinate using this system - paper towel \ small pot and than transfer \ germination in the final pot from the start ?
2. The instructions of the autopot system say to water in the beginning by hand and than don't water for 10 days to let the root look for water and reach the bottom. is that a good idea? and if so, how much do I need to water in the first time and when to do it? after germination?
3. when do I start using the AirDome for the roots?
4. I am using 270w FSF Lighthouse Hydro BlackStar Chrome Grow light Flowering LED, can I use this lemp for Veg? of perhaps i should use some cfl's in the first weeks?
5. I am using BioBees Organic fertilizer and I've heard that I can't use organic fertilizers in an autopot system, is it true? can I put only a few litres every time and let the organic fertilizer sit in the water for 2-3 days or is it a bad thing to do?
allot of questions I know :-\
an answer to any of them would be great
I've read a few posts here, lots of great people here, hope to learn and share with ya all Peace & Harmony :tiphat:

 

[Red-Eye Jedi]

i mixed 70 30 coco to perlite with an inch layer of perlite in the bottom, watered through with weak nutes and then poked the seed into a coco jiffy that i'd soaked in weak nutes and stuck the jiffy in the pot. i soaked the seeds until they sank before planting. watered it once a week with weak nutes for about 3 weeks. i reckon i should have turned the autopots on after the second week but i had to level the bottom of my tent. as for your other questions i'm afraid i can't help. i don't use airdomes or led's and i'm using AN ph perfect stuff. all i use is a small airstone in the reserve.

red-eye

 

[CGR]

Welcome to AFN BaBaBaBa :High 5:there's some stickys at the top of New Growers thread that will help and some in my sig as while :High 5: Glad you joined us my friend ...dont forget to introduce your self to the other members :

 

[BaBaBaBa]

Thank you both! CGR I've read allot of the stickys, but I couldn't find the answers to my questions :-(
anyway I'll keep reading and mybe I'll bump into something!
I'll introduce myself soon

 

[South Syder]

Hey BaBa,

Know the system well, know Jim, the inventor in Australia, using one now. Some peculiarities to these things: yes, water by hand the first week, as for letting them dry out for ten days, well, that would depend on room temperatures, but even in a hot one I've never seen a need for more than half of that.
Germinate in peat pellets or rockwool, as per usual then put the plug in level with top of your aggregate.
As for organic fertilizer, so long as it don't clog the valve, sure, shouldn't be a problem.
Biggest difference between these and recirculating jobs is to remember that regardless how well your plants transpire, the medium, depending on type, will retain unmetabolized nutes. Caution, never exceed 70% the EC of recirculating systems. When above 1.0EC run twenty liters of pH'd water (a little hand watered and the rest via the valve) for every sixty of nutes to keep the substrate fresh. If you experience pH problems (usually in the form of deficiencies) pour pH'd water into pots and collect and check runoff pH. Remember, don't push the nutes till vegetative mass above the pot at least matches the size of the pot itself.

Cheers.

 

[BaBaBaBa]

Thanks allot South Syder, very helpful