Grow Mediums How necessary are the autopots system root control discs and pot socks for it?

[the123321]

I am using the autopots watering system with smart pot fabric pots. I have been using a pot sock on the outside of the pot with a root control disc on the inside of the pot facing up on there.

It gets a little expensive buying those for every plant so I looked for a way to buy root control paper in larger quantity to lower the price but have not found it online. Does anyone know of a less expensive way to do it? Do you use the root control discs and or the pot socks with your autopots watering system for it? I wonder how necessary it is for it on there.

 

[St. Tom]

I am using the autopots watering system with smart pot fabric pots. I have been using a pot sock on the outside of the pot with a root control disc on the inside of the pot facing up on there.

It gets a little expensive buying those for every plant so I looked for a way to buy root control paper in larger quantity to lower the price but have not found it online. Does anyone know of a less expensive way to do it? Do you use the root control discs and or the pot socks with your autopots watering system for it? I wonder how necessary it is for it on there.

i just use the disks and just give them a good wash after each grow and I've never had the roots tangle up the floats and you can buy them for a couple of quid each off eBay and i replace them after every few grows

 

[Nosias]

The Control disc can be use many many times. I am still using mine from 6 grows ago. They are essential to keep the roots away from the tray and valve.

With that said you can get some weed barrier material, as long as it contains no weed killer, at a hardware store.

I have no issues reusing them over and over.

 

[Olderfart]

I am using the autopots watering system with smart pot fabric pots. I have been using a pot sock on the outside of the pot with a root control disc on the inside of the pot facing up on there.

It gets a little expensive buying those for every plant so I looked for a way to buy root control paper in larger quantity to lower the price but have not found it online. Does anyone know of a less expensive way to do it? Do you use the root control discs and or the pot socks with your autopots watering system for it? I wonder how necessary it is for it on there.

They are cheaper than a flooded carpet or dead plants. Mine are on round 2 and will do more grows until they don't work, then I'll replace them. I would not grow without them. I am also interested in easily available and cheap alternatives, but I don't know about one yet.

 

[the123321]

Thanks. It looks like the gold part on it washes away after 1 grow with it. I thought that was the part that kept the roots back. Then you use it through multiple grows even if the gold is not on the root paper for it on there?

 

[BII]

Thanks. It looks like the gold part on it washes away after 1 grow with it. I thought that was the part that kept the roots back. Then you use it through multiple grows even if the gold is not on the root paper for it on there?

It appears that the "gold part" is not really needed. It still works as a barrier without it.

 

[Nosias]

Thanks. It looks like the gold part on it washes away after 1 grow with it. I thought that was the part that kept the roots back. Then you use it through multiple grows even if the gold is not on the root paper for it on there?

What Bill said. The gold is for all of us growers. This way we know which end to put down in the pot. It is just I do not remember which is which.

 

[the123321]

Thanks. If the gold does not do anything then why does it matter what direction it is in the pot for it on there?

 

[Nosias]

Not sure. 4 me it works either way.