Grow Mediums Rockwool with 50/50 Coco Perlite and Autopot

[jokgga]

Had a couple questions regarding this autopot system.

I got the 4 pot 2.2 gallon system and was going to do a simple run.

1.) Is it recommended to put hydroton (PH Balanced) in the bottom of the pot? I am not using an airdome and this is NOT the fabric pot but the plastic square one? Would it be better for me to put 1-2inch of hydroton in the pot and fill the rest with my coco/perlite mix?

2.) My other option is would be to put my seeds (soaked in water/papertowel) directly into the medium. I do have a taproots showing. At this point, would it make sense to just put the seed directly into the coco medium as opposed to the rockwool?

3.) I see two processes at this point, people who either top feed for 7-14 days until the roots come in, in which case they turn on the valve. The other way, I have seen were folks who would soak the medium in balanced PH water, until it drained from the bottom. Then they would transplant the seed and not water for a full week, after which they top feed until it the roots are at the bottom. Any advice on either? Leaning towards the latter as I am away this weekend and hoping I could transplant the seedling and keep my light on for 18/6

4.) Final question - How are people mixing and putting in nutes to the resevoir? Are you premixing a set amount (i.e 3 gallons with the recommended amount) and pouring it once a week? Also, do people put hydroguard/great white in their re?

Thanks for the help everyone as this seems like an amazing concept.
Will

 

[MidnightSun]

4) I have a 33 gallon garbage can as my main Res. It has a water pump to mix the contents in the main res. Think like a fish tank... pulls water from the bottom dumps it on top....no air stone needed this way. So I add say 20 gallons of water to my Res, then mix my nutrients for 23 gallons in a 5 gallon bucket. Then i dump the mixed bucket in the main res. I let it mix for an hr then check the PH. When i need water i mix up what i need and top it off. I use .9 EC from sprout to harvest. This way i don't have to worry about anything. Because wicking isn't drain to waste the nutrients will build up if you use to much. Most people seem to use 50% or less of the published nutrient brands EC. I'm in Alaska so i use 4-8 drops of bleach per gallon of water. Hydro-guard isn't strong enough to control the crap growing in my rain water.

3) top feed for 7-14 days seems to work the best. If you have shit to do, turn on the pot and top water once.

2) With Autos I've found myself just putting the seed in the pot.

1) I add 1 in of perlite to the bottom then my 50/50 perlite mix. I reuse all my coco so its like 70-30 perlite/coco these days.

Looking forward to seeing your grows. ~ Enjoy

 

[MidnightSun]

Some examples of my grows with Auto Flowers in AutoPots using the same EC from start to finish. Cherry Cookies , Critical , BlueBerry , Anniversary Glue , GMOGK , Daiquiri Glue , Bitchin' Camaro , Northern Lights .

 

[jokgga]

Thanks @MidnightSun , I am about to get lost on your grows!.

One question... When you say Top Feed once and turn on the autopot, are you saying that I could just feed/drain it, once, when I initially drop the seed in, and just turn on the aquavalve?

I ask because I am going to be away for 2/3 days and my plan was to:

Set up my pot
Drain it with PH balanced water (15 mins)
Then put my seedling (just popped a taproot) in the medium and turn on my autopot

My hope is that this would allow the seed to fully germinate autonomously without the need for me to top feed, in case I am out.

I have a HLG 135 light @ 20%, 20 inches up, running 18/6 for the days I am away.

Also, I have a seed germinating in a rockwool cube. Can I put this right in my Coco / perlite medium or is it not recommended to use a rockwool cube for autopots?

Thanks again!!

 

[GolfnRL]

Hi jokgga.

1. Same for cloth and plastic. 1-2" of washed PH stable clay pebbles (hydroton), Perlite size 3 or washed pea gravel in the bottom of each pot

2.-3. I don't have experience with coco but my understanding is since there are no nutes in the medium the plants would need to be fed daily. I'm not sure you could put a sprout directly in the coco and then leave it for a few days. But, hopefully someone with more experience will weigh in.

4. I mix my nutes in a 5 gal bucket and then pour into the rez. I set the PH and the Blue Lab PH controller keeps it stable. I have a small aquarium pump to move the water in the rez. I like the pump because the PH is stable as opposed to an air stone where it was all over the map. I start off the nutes at 1/4 to 1/2 strength and build up to full strength over time. Usually 2-3 rez fills. Depends on how the plant responds. I use CX Horticulture nutrients. Their line up contains Regeneroot and Wilt Guard. I use them both full life cycle of the plant. After the initial filling of the rez I use a 5 gal bucket marked at 18L (approximately 4.5 gals). CX nutes are all mixed at the same ratio of 1ml/L, so there isn't any confusion. The life stage of the plant will determine how often you have to fill the rez. I had the same problem of having to be away and not being able to tend the plants. The autopot system fixed that problem.

 

[jokgga]

Thanks @GolfnRL any recommendations on a water pump? I would essentially just put it in the res and tub through the hole at top right?

You all are the best.. thanks for the advice

 

[MidnightSun]

Thanks @MidnightSun , I am about to get lost on your grows!.

1) When you say Top Feed once and turn on the autopot, ...... drop the seed in, and just turn on the aquavalve?
I ask because I am going to be away for 2/3 days.

2) Also, I have a seed germinating in a rockwool cube. Can I put this right in my Coco / perlite medium or is it not recommended to use a rockwool cube for autopots?

1) Top water once, drop the seed in and turn on the aquavalve. The low or no nutrient column of water in the center from the first top feed will stay as it is. I think the correct term is hydrostatic pressure. So the initial Hydrostatic pressure works against the capillary action at first... then promotes it. This keeps my .9 EC water away from the sprouts. I check my stuff about every 7 days because of my current res size.

2) yes you can drop it in.

 

[GolfnRL]

Thanks @GolfnRL any recommendations on a water pump? I would essentially just put it in the res and tub through the hole at top right?

You all are the best.. thanks for the advice

I use a pump similar to this. Yes, the air line and the power cord go through the hole in top. I drilled a bigger hole for ease of access.

Amazon.com : Submersible Water Pump 4W 280L/H Fountain Water Pump for Pond/Aquarium/Fish Tank/Statuary/Hydroponics with 5ft (150CM) Power Cord : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Submersible Water Pump 4W 280L/H Fountain Water Pump for Pond/Aquarium/Fish Tank/Statuary/Hydroponics with 5ft (150CM) Power Cord : Pet Supplies

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