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AutoPot 101: Essential Tips for First-Time AutoPot Users

tips

Starting your journey with an AutoPot system might feel like diving into a new world of sub-irrigated gardening—something many growers haven’t tried before. We pride ourselves on the user-friendliness of our systems but with any new venture, there’s a bit of a learning curve, no matter how easy it is. In this post, we’ll guide you through some key tips to ensure your first experience with AutoPot is as smooth as possible, helping you sidestep common mistakes and set up a thriving, self-sustaining garden.

Before diving into the tips, it’s crucial for any AutoPot user to fully understand how the AQUAvalve works and how to maintain it. It’s the heart of the AutoPot system after all, and knowing how the AQUAvalve operates will make you a better AutoPot grower. Here are two videos we recommend to help you grasp just how unique and innovative the AQUAvalve is…

How exactly does the AQUAvalve allow the plants to self-schedule their feeding regimen?
Essential Maintenance for your AQUAvalve

Now that you understand how the AQUAvalve functions and how to maintain it, let’s dig into how to properly set-up and maintain your AutoPot System…

Potting Up Tips

AutoPot lets your plants manage their own watering and feeding schedules, so your main job is keeping the reservoir topped off. This makes the system set-up and potting-up phases critical for getting the best results.

Follow these tips to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success with your AutoPot system…

Use a blended substrate with good oxygen retention: Most growers typically use coco or soil blended with something like perlite or hydroton to improve aeration. Avoid using 100% coco/soil with no aeration or a substrate that’s too heavy, such as peat moss, as it will compress over time and reduce oxygen content in the root zone. With that said, you can always add extra perlite to any mix to make it lighter. We recommend starting with a 50/50 blend of coco or soil and perlite, pH-stabilized clay pebbles, growstones or Hydroton. Whatever you use to lighten your substrate blend to improve aeration, make sure it’s either inert or pH stabilized!

Use a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot: We recommend using a drainage layer in any pot except for the XXL Pots (9-gallon and 13-gallon fabric pots). Whether you choose one of our AirBases or a 1″ layer of perlite no. 3, hydroton, growstones or pH-stabilized clay pebbles, a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot is crucial to prevent your substrate from becoming too wet. The purpose of the drainage layer is to elevate your substrate above the max fill line in the tray, which is approximately ¾ inch, so things don’t become oversaturated. Ensuring your drainage layer is within our recommended range is key for success. Here is a video showing how to properly install the AutoPot AirBase.

Use an AirBase or a 1″ layer at the bottom of your pot for a proper drainage layer

Establish your root zone before turning on the system: This is crucial because you want your plants to thrive as soon as you turn on the system. You should see explosive growth right away, and if you don’t, it’s likely because you started the system too early. If this happens, you can always turn off the system and continue top feeding for another week or so to let the roots develop further. A small root zone can cause the plant to lag while the roots grow deeper to fully benefit from the AutoPot system. As a general rule of thumb, top feed until the plant’s leaves extend beyond the rim of the pot before turning on the system.

Don’t feed too heavy; Less is more with AutoPot: As a general rule of thumb, on the ppm 500 scale, keep your nutrient mix at 700 or below during the vegetative stage and 1100 or below during flowering. This of course can vary depending on nutrient brand or comfortability with the system and is only a general guideline for new users. Remember, with an AutoPot system, nutrients are always available to your plant and they’re feeding constantly, so using too strong of a mix can cause nutrient burn. Think of AutoPot like a DWC hydro system but growing in soil or coco because the plant metabolic growth rates in each are the same. If a nutrient company offers a hydro feeding schedule, use that instead of a drip or drain-to-waste schedule.

Use a recirculating pump if using a nutrient line that doesn’t stay in solution: Depending on your nutrient choice, you might want to consider adding a recirculating pump to your reservoir. Not all nutrient solutions behave the same in a standing reservoir—some contain “organic-leaning” additives, while others stay in suspension longer. Running a recirculating pump on a timer for 15 minutes every 2 hours can help keep your nutrient solution stable and pH-balanced, but this will vary depending on the solution you’re using. To get a better idea of how your nutrients will perform in a standing reservoir, you can fill a bucket with the solution and let it sit for a few days to observe any pH fluctuations or sediment formation.

Keep everything level: Always double-check that your trays are level when setting up your system. Uneven trays can interfere with how the AQUAvalve functions, which can affect performance. Ensuring everything is level is crucial for optimal results. Take the time to make any necessary adjustments before turning the system on for the first time.

Keep things clean: Always clean the sides and bottoms of each pot before placing them in the tray. This removes any soil particles and keeps your system clean. It also helps ensure your AQUAvalve5 stays free of growing media that may end up in the tray. Keeping everything clean is essential for optimal performance.

Tray placement is important: Don’t place trays on cold concrete floors as water in the tray can be chilled from below and will affect plant growth. If you can’t avoid placing them on a surface where the temperature fluctuates, consider placing polystyrene or cardboard under each tray to ensure the water temperature in the tray is not affected.

Do I need an AirDome?

Adding an AirDome to your AutoPot system can significantly boost oxygen content in the rhizosphere, leading to healthier plants and better yields. In this section, we’ll cover how the AirDome works and why it’s a valuable upgrade for maximizing your garden’s potential.

It’s never a bad idea to add extra oxygen into your root zone, but you’ll notice a more dramatic benefit if you are using a heavier substrate than our recommended mix, which is a 50/50 blend. With a 50/50 blend, you have a light, aerated substrate blend with pockets of air leading to ideal conditions for your plants in a bottom feeding system like AutoPot. With heavier substrate blends like a 70/30 or 80/20, you have less oxygen retention capacity because there are less ‘pockets of air’ in the blend so utilizing supplemental oxygen pumped into the root zone via an AirDome will lead to increased plant performance and yields.

If using a 100% coco or soil blend, be careful about using an AirDome. 100% blends can compress over time and inhibit air from the Air Pump from traveling upwards through the media. This can result in that air blowing back into the tray as its only escape and creating bubbles or water movement in the tray that will disrupt proper cycling of the AQUAvalve. Cycle disruption can also happen if you use too strong of an Air Pump so make sure you’re using an Air Pump appropriately sized for the number of pots you’re using.

An AirDome installed in a 1 Pot System (3.9 gal pot) with a Square AirBase

Essential AirDome Tips:

  • Each AirDome requires 15gph so for example, if you’re using a 4 Pot System, you’ll want a 60 gph Air Pump. You don’t need a stronger pump than what we recommend to supercharge your airdome and in fact, using too strong of a pump can lead to AQUAvalve cycling issues. If you notice an AQUAvalve not draining the tray completely before it refills or water movement/bubbles in your tray, turn down your Air Pump!
  • Turn on your Air Pump two weeks after you have turned on the system. You want your plants to acclimate to the bottom feeding environment of AutoPot before you start pumping air into the root zone.
  • We recommend running your AirDomes with your light timer, so they turn on/off with the lights.
  • Keep the pump elevated off any cold or hot floors to try to maintain stable air temperatures.

Weekly Maintenance?

To keep your AutoPot system running smoothly and your plants thriving, a bit of regular maintenance is key. While the system is designed for low-maintenance operation, performing some weekly checks and simple tasks can ensure everything stays in optimal condition. In this section, we’ll cover the essential weekly maintenance steps you should take to keep your AutoPot system functioning at its best.

Opening the flush taps. The ‘flush tap’ is the tap at the end of your main line coming from your reservoir. We recommend opening this tap for 30-45 seconds every time you refill your reservoir and you have max head pressure. This will push out any sediment that may have settled in the lines throughout the week preventing it from getting into your AQUAvalve and causing issues.

Check your AQUAvalves/fittings from time to time. This is pretty straightforward. Just take a look at your AQUAvalves and connections to make sure they’re secure in the tray or secure to the tubing. We’ve seen people move pots/trays around and accidentally knock loose an AQUAvalve or fitting and cause themselves unnecessary problems. It’s always good practice to do a quick 5-minute spot check to ensure everything is working optimally.

Keep your reservoir dialed in. If your reservoir pH/ec is dialed in, your plants will be dialed in. This is what you want to check regularly to ensure optimal performance. If you try to check the pH/ec of your trays, you may get some crazy readings because that water in the tray is interacting with the substrate/plant. You want to ensure your reservoir is always dialed in, not the trays. As a general rule of thumb, aim for water temperatures between 64-70 F and a pH of 5.8 with soil or 5.5-5.6 with coco.

Let the reservoir settle after refilling. After you refill your reservoir, wait 30-60 minutes before you turn the tap back into the ‘on’ position. Do this once a week if using mineral nutrient. Ideally undertake once you have re-filled your reservoir and allowed it to settle for an hour. A full reservoir provides you with the maximum pressure to flush.

Soften tubing before making adjustments. Dip the end of your pipe in hot water before connecting your fittings. This will soften the pipe and allow you to connect fittings with ease. When disassembling the system dip the still-connected fitting and pipe in hot water to ease separation.

Thanks for reading! We hope these tips help you on your journey with AutoPots. As always, if you have any questions, don’t be a stranger! Reach out at info@autopot-usa.com or call us at 702-338-0373.

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Grow Genius – The perfect Silicon Nutrient for your AutoPot System

If you are a grower that has used a silica/silicon additive in an irrigation system, you are well aware of the challenges that can arise. Whether it’s fall out in the reservoir, wild pH swings or dealing with a clog in your line, the average silica nutrient can cause its fair share of headaches. Honestly, we felt the same way at AutoPot. A silica additive was usually the first product we would remove from a grower’s blend if they were having reservoir issues. Most silicas, for all the benefits they can provide to a plant, were not worth the trouble. We’ve long been looking for a silica/silicon product that we felt confident recommending in our system, and we are happy to announce that with Grow Genius 40% Mono-Silicic Acid, our search is over.

Why Mono-Silicic Acid?

The only bioavailable form of Silicon, MonoSilicic Acid (MSA), is hard to stabilize and bottle, so it’s not in blended hydroponic nutrients, or most substrates. As a result, unlike NPK and trace elements, Silicon supply isn’t often optimized, even in successful grows.

As a result the door is open to noticeable improvements in several key areas by simply treating Silicon as you would any other nutrient and optimizing supply to reduce cycle times in propagation, and get noticeably sturdier, stouter plants that and are significantly more resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses:

In fact, the beneficial effect of silicon on a variety of crops has been established for over a decade. You can read an excellent evaluation of the various types of silicon available to gardeners here or jump straight to the summary table here to read the results (TLDR: stabilized monosilicic – which is the category GG Mono is in – outperforms everything else). Not only does silicon strengthen natural growth and defenses for bigger, healthier plants, it also provided your plant with increased resistance to:

  • Powdery mildew, Botrytis, Black spot and other fungal pathogens.
  • Thrips, mites, aphids and other biting and piercing pests.
  • Heat stress, water stress and high winds / damage from pruning.
  • Toxicity from heavy metals and other undesirable elements in soil.

Why Grow-Genius 40% MSA?

Because it’s the only bioavailable form, all Si products work by supplying MSA and Grow-Genius 40% MSA is the most cost effective AND the cleanest way to do it: Silicates don’t guarantee % MSA delivery because they are precursors.

More modern, big brand First Generation 1% strength molybdenum stabilized MSA (aka ‘Silica’) outperforms them but has the same drawbacks in use (aggressive pH, precipitation blocking drippers and lines, compatibility problems with other products, etc.) And even the best Nano Silica performs only about as well as first generation MSA

Grow-Genius uses totally unique, Second-Generation stabilization technology not based on potassium silicate to deliver 40X more MSA than big brand MSA products, at much better value for money, with NONE of the usage issues, and much lower applied heavy metals than any other source of Si for plants. The next strongest MSA product is only 10% claimed and is severely restricted in terms of compatible EC and pH – it doesn’t come close to what Grow Genius has been able to achieve with their 40% MSA. It’s that simple.

Si for max R.O.I (it’s not all about flowering)

We recommend using Grow Genius in your reservoir and as a foliar feed. Feed weekly via your reservoir at 0.1ml/gal but it’s also important to foliar feed as well as you can deliver much more MSA via foliar application than via roots – and that’s how to get maximum morphological effects: stretch reduction, and a sturdier plant. And especially as you can’t foliar cannabis when flowers have emerged, vegetative growth is where to focus to get the most out of Silicon. Just two applications of Grow Genius can have significant effects on multiple metrics.

Below are our recommendations for using Grow Genius in your grow…

  • Seed Soak / Propagation mix: 0.03 ml/L (0.1 ml/Gal)
  • Cuttings / Sprouted seeds: 0.03 ml/L (0.1 ml/Gal) add to res 1x / week
    AND foliar at 0.5 ml/L (2 ml/Gal) 1x / week
  • Vegetative growth: 0.03 ml/L (0.1 ml/Gal) add to res 1x / week
    AND foliar at 0.5 to 0.75 ml/L (2 to 3 ml/Gal) 1x / week
  • Once flowers emerge: 0.03 ml/L (0.1 ml/Gal) add to res 1x / week – Stop foliar application at early flowering on species with dense or compact flowers, especially indoors or in cold or damp weather.

Do I need to flush Grow Genius out of my substrate?

There is no need to flush as the only thing taken up by the plant is MSA, which is the natural form of Silicon used by plants. Continue application up to harvest for continued protection and support for new cells or cease a week or two beforehand for max economy.

Should I add Grow Genius first like every other silica product on the market?

You do not need to add Grow Genius first when blending. This is because Grow Genius isn’t based on Potassium Silicate, so there is no pH adjustment to do. Mix your nutrients and add Grow Genius last to reduce any potential foaming from the integrated wetting agent – that’s all there is to it. GG Mono does not affect pH.

Can I use Grow Genius in my organic grow?

Grow Genius is widely used in organic living soil facilities by some of the field’s foremost researchers because it’s such a clean, pure, controllable and above all, tiny input. If soil health and minimal inputs are your priority, Grow Genius is used at 100ml per acre vs multiple pounds or gallons for alternatives, making it the clear choice for soil and personal health. “Traditional” silicon sources come bundled with relatively high heavy metal loads and as application rates increase so do applied heavy metals.

Grow Genius is extremely low in heavy metals as a raw product. By the time it’s diluted at 0.03ml/L (0.1ml/gal) it’s cleaner than drinking water. We’re not exaggerating when we say that Grow Genius delivers tens to tens of thousands of times lower heavy metals per unit of Si delivered compared to the other options available.

Looking at how Silicon can facilitate cleaner practices in general because it works by helping plants build natural defenses, as opposed to toxicity, it’s a perfect partner to biological control. We even use rapidly biodegradable stabilization (readily biodegradable: 95% over 28 days (method: OECD Test Guideline 301F) which is harmless, or even beneficial, to microbial life at recommended rates. Silicon is not harmful to most beneficial microorganisms and low levels of ethanols are digestible by many soil borne bacteria and fungi. But above all, because our monosilicic is so concentrated, the net addition of product to the soil is tiny: just 0.03ml/L (0.1ml/gal) in solution. This is the benefit of treating trace elements as they should be: like vitamins, not food.

So while Grow Genius isn’t listed as an organic product yet, we’re working on it and expect to have organic certification in the near future.

Why Grow Genius for an AutoPot System?

Now that you know the benefits of silicon and what makes Grow Genius so unique, let’s talk about why it’s the perfect product to use with an AutoPot System.

  1. Ultra concentrated – A great value at 0.1ml/gal ~ $0.05/gal. A 100ml bottle makes 880 gallons of solution for your reservoir. If you’re using one of our 12.4-gal hard tank reservoirs, that’s enough for 70 refills! This product will last many grows and the value is unbeatable. The next strongest MSA is 10% claimed, and most big brand MSA products are in the 1-2% range. There is simply no other product on the market that comes anywhere close to the 40% MSA that Grow Genius has achieved.
  2. Reservoir Stable for 7 Days – Silica products and AutoPot reservoirs can lead to a lot of headaches for a grower. Fall out, clogs, wild pH swings, etc. These types of things can derail a grow and cause you a lot of stress. Grow Genius uses a new ethanol-based stabilization technology that overcomes the concentration limitations that applied to the older stabilized monosilicic products. Because of its unique progressive release stabilization, the product is good for up to 7 days in a tank. This is our favorite feature of Grow Genius!
  3. pH Neutral – Yes, Grow Genius really is completely pH neutral. The reason Silicon supplements are associated with aggressively high pH is because most of them are based on potassium silicate or amorphous silica. Grow Genius uses totally different chemistry to other products and so doesn’t have these drawbacks. We recommend adding it last after any soluble nutrients and you’ll see it has no effect on solution pH.

As with any product in this industry, there are a few things to make sure you DO NOT do to ensure the product works properly over the course of use.

  • Close the container securely immediately after use: ethanol evaporates quickly!
  • ​Do not allow any water or dirt into the container: Grow Genius will re-polymerize on contact, meaning it will turn back into a gel-like product if you get water in it. Be very careful with this! Make sure the lid is closed tightly so no humidity from the air can get in the bottle and always make sure your pipette or measuring equipment is DRY if you are putting it in the bottle to measure out the required dosage.
  • Grow Genius does contain ethanols and silicon which means it is safe for plants when used as directed, but not for direct contact with humans: do not ingest, breathe or allow contact with eyes/skin.
  • Always avoid breathing mist from spraying this or any garden product: always wear an appropriately rated mask, eye and hand protection when working with garden chemicals.

Even though plants don’t require silicon to survive, if you grant them access to the nutrient, it’ll improve almost everything about their physiology. It works to protect them against pests, diseases, and environmental pollutants, while fortifying cell walls against stress, boosting photosynthesis and increasing overall yield/quality.

If you are growing with AutoPot and want to increase the performance of your plants, we can’t recommend Grow Genius 40% MSA enough.

Thanks for reading!

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In The Land Of The Living – With Susy B

Here_comes_Susy

Take life down-under, wed it to life up-top. Hey, that’s Susy B Living! Hey, that’s plant grafting! Hey, that’s Susy B Living plant grafting! Hailing from Australia but now residing in the U.K., Susy is a hemispheric-horticulture-melding kitchen gardener who is guided by some intriguing ideas. 

This year she’s been growing grafted fruit and veg to great effect. For those not in the know, grafting is an innovative method of binding two plant varieties in order to improve the health, vigor, and yield of a crop. Susy very kindly took us through her grafted plants along with many more eye-opening projects in her vast and varied gardens.

Above: Tomatoes on the grow in one of Susy’s greenhouses

After a stunning, grafted Bonica aubergine crop in 2023 Susy decided to branch out with tomatoes for ’24. The tomatoes in question are Crimson Plum and Avitidas. These graft varieties both combine a very strong rootstock with sensational fruiting qualities. Deep flavor, robust flesh, minimal seed count, ready for the pot – sounds absolutely ideal! 

Although Susy has so far grown ready-grafted plants, the process of grafting itself is relatively simple. Grow your rootstock variety and your fruiting (or ‘scion’) variety until the stems of both are at around 2-3mm in diameter. Take a scrupulously clean scalpel and slice across the stem of the young root donor plant at a point just north of the first true leaf. That’s your rootstock. Then slice the top section off your fruit donor plant. That’s your scion. Clip the two together using readily available binders and in a few months hey pesto! Or rather, hey marinara!

Above: Capsicum hither! Fruit and veg thriving in Susy’s glasshouse

As well as accelerated growth and yield, grafted varieties often offer better resistance to non-native growing conditions. A rootstock that is known to thrive in harsher climates can, in theory, support a fruiting section that, whilst delicious, might otherwise prove vulnerable outside its native environment. The ability to bring home trickier crops has a clear appeal to Susy. 

Whilst she enjoys the things that flourish in northern climes Susy says she misses some of the produce that can be grown natively in Australia. ‘I miss the mangos definitely. Of course you can get most things these days, but in Australia we actually grow them there. Things like peaches, passionfruit, watermelon, pineapples and bananas.’ 

Above: Enough to do! Susy has two greenhouses, twelve raised beds an area for fruit trees, plus an allotment to maintain.

Susy has tried to grow more exotic plants in the UK with mixed results. ‘It’s really difficult because of the winters here and the high cost of heating a greenhouse. I had a passionfruit that did well for a season but then died during a cold snap, however I do have a Macadamia nut tree that is thriving.’ The need for responsive, low-cost, low-maintenance plant support for non-native varieties has now led Susy to try AutoPot Watering Systems. 

Sixteen different types of chilli and pepper are enjoying the complete and undivided attention of Susy’s mixed-module AutoPot system. Anaheim, Piri Piri, Buena Mulata, Lemon Drop, Scotch Bonnet, Apache, Cayenne, Albertos Locoto, Curry Chilli and Korean Dark Green comprise the chilli collection. Meanwhile the peppers represented by Lemon Dream, Akron F1, Bright Star F1, New Ace F1, Corno Giallo, and the inimitable Paprika. Destined for fermented hot sauce, dry seasonings, pickling, jams, and fresh cooking, the fruits of the system will get used in nearly every meal round at Susy’s gaff.

Backyard paradise at Susy’s

The system that’s being used to water these plants is made up of 2.2 gal easy2grow and 3.9 gal 1Pot modules. These have been arranged around the perimeter of a greenhouse allowing the plants plenty of light. In Susy’s experience the set up was a breeze, ‘it was fairly straightforward because my husband did it! Cutting the hosepipes and getting the layout right takes a little bit of work but after that he said it was very quick and easy.’ For simplicity all the modules are hooked up to the same 60 gallon FlexiTank collapsible reservoir. Whilst the plants can receive fertilizer via the reservoir and pipework Susy chooses to feed them directly.

As well as offering consistent, accurate, and responsive watering the systems are a huge labor-saver. This is especially important to Susy given the amount of plants she has to attend to in her gardens. ‘At home we have two greenhouses and 12 raised beds for veg growing, and an area for citrus, fruit trees and soft fruit. I also have an allotment where I have another greenhouse and more space for crops like potatoes, brassicas and long season vegetables.’

Above Left: ‘They came from Planet AutoPot!’ – Power-free systems invade Susy’s greenhouse, our FlexiTank distribution cannon claims a direct hit on Susy’s husband

All Susy’s plants are grown with reference to a Biodynamic Moon Calendar. In a nutshell, the calendar advises growers as to how and when they should work the soil, plant seeds, plant out, apply fertilizers and treatments, and harvest. All in accordance with lunar cycles. In Susy’s own words, ‘the calendar structures my gardening year and I find it really works. I have a Youtube channel where viewers can follow my daily moonphase schedule and see what I sow and grow.’ 

Above: Here comes Susy bearing fruit bearing fruit! The AutoPot-grown chillies and peppers are already proving productive in Susy’s greenhouse

That this should work makes perfect, logical sense given that our oldest forms of timekeeping are the solar and lunar cycles. It is with reference to these cycles that farmers have perfected sowing, growing, and harvesting over thousands of years. 

Above: Beware the moon? Nope. Susy does give Creedence to our lunar lovely, but only with reference to a Biodynamic Moon Calendar.

To support other growers in their efforts to follow the moon phase calendar Susy has also produced a series of capsule Sowalongs. These bite-sized videos are designed to coincide with the optimum sowing time for any number of different plant types. You can check out the Sowalongs along with a trove of other easily accessible growing tips on Susy’s insta reels.

Sincere thanks to Susy for sharing and for showing off our systems to such superb effect. If you’re feeling inspired to try AutoPot you can even get 10% off using Susy’s discount codes – available via her insta linktree

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Growing Outdoors with AutoPot

With summer approaching, it’s time to consider the age-old question…can I use an AutoPot System outdoors?

The short answer is YES! You absolutely can, but there are some things to consider to ensure you have success with an outdoor AutoPot grow.

GeoPot 6 System with 5 gallon fabric pots growing tomatoes

As we all know, your plants need regular water, but when temperatures get high in the heat of summer, they could use some extra. In time of high heat, your plants drink more than usual, but it’s also true that more water evaporates from the soil. The good news is that with AutoPot, your plants always have access to water, so they’ll never dry out and be able to drink as much as they want, when they want it. However, they will drink very quickly, and you will go through A LOT of water, so be sure to keep an eye on your reservoir to keep it full!

Rooftop AutoPot Garden using a 4 Pot System with 3.9 gal pots

One of the biggest questions we get when people inquire about using an AutoPot System outdoors is ‘will the water in my reservoir get too hot and cause issues with my plants?’

The answer to this is that without proper care of the reservoir, the temperature of the water can rise and create problems for your plants. This is not unique to an AutoPot System. Any time you store large amounts of water outside for plants, you want to avoid using hot water to feed your plants. Ideally, you want to keep your reservoir temperature between 70°F and 77°F. There are a variety of ways to cool down your reservoir, ranging both in price and how annoying they are to deal with every day.

Reflective cover for our 12.4 gal hard tank reservoir

The first thing to consider is reservoir placement. Are you able to place your reservoir in a shady spot out of full sun? That’s an ideal starting point to help keep reservoir temps down. Shade naturally cools down the area around the reservoirs, adding an extra layer of protection against heat.

In addition to the shady spot, try using reflective material to cover your reservoir to help reflect sunlight/heat. You can wrap this around the reservoir but make sure you cover it completely without leaving any gaps where warmth could sneak in. We offer a reflective cover for our 12.4 gal hard tanks that will help keep temps cool.

Another option is to paint your reservoir white or a lighter color to help reflect light instead of absorbing it. Dark colors absorb light so by pairing a light-colored paint job or a reservoir wrapped in reflective material that reflects light/heat with a shady location, you will help keep temps down to create an environment for healthy root development and strong plant growth.

FlexiTank Pro Reservoirs are made with reflective food grade PVC plastic to reflect light and help keep the reservoir cool

Ideally, you find a shady spot for the reservoir. If your reservoir has to be placed further away from the system to get it out of full sun, you can always run longer lines to the pots. If you’re doing this with your reservoir, we recommend to then elevate it to add some additional pressure. With your reservoir elevated, you will have plenty of pressure to push the water through the lines from a distance. An easy, DIY method to elevate your reservoir is to use a few concrete blocks and a piece of plywood cut to size.

Finally, you can mitigate reservoir temperature by opening the tank lid at night. This allows all the heat absorbed by the water during the day to escape at night and the water can cool to a lower temperature in that time. 

Now that we’ve covered some DIY methods to cool down your reservoir, there are some other ways to guarantee cooler temperatures that are a bit pricier. The easiest way to guarantee the water in your reservoir stays cool is by using a chiller.

You can find smaller chillers that can be used with our 12.4 gal hard tank reservoir, like this one, priced for under $200.00. If you’re using a chiller outside, make sure to keep it out of full sun and protected from rain. You can use a larger chiller for our FlexiTank reservoirs as well, just make sure to match up the strength of the chiller with the size of your reservoir. A chiller is an easy way to ensure your reservoir temps always stay cool.

A common alternative DIY practice to spending money on a chiller is to use frozen jugs of water and place them in your reservoir. This typically will keep the reservoir temperature down but there is the added labor of switching out bottles daily. However, you can use multiple bottles so one is always freezing while one is in the reservoir to help streamline the process. That way, you can just switch them out as needed and always have a frozen jug on deck. With that said, be careful about cross contamination! Transferring jugs of water in and out of freezers and reservoirs could lead to the introduction of bacteria or pathogens into your water, so be sure that you properly clean/sterilize the bottles in between uses.

Raspberries growing in an easy2grow 6 system with 2.2 gallon pots

When thinking about keeping the reservoir for your AutoPot System cool, it’s important to remember that your plants are going to be drinking a lot of water. AutoPot automates your irrigation so the plants can drink what they want, when they want and in the heat of summer, they want to drink a lot. The water in the reservoir and lines will be moving as your plants will consume gallons of water per day so you won’t have a full reservoir baking in the sun for days on end. In most cases, you’ll be refilling your reservoir every couple of days keeping your water fresh. AutoPot allows your plant metabolic growth rates to match that of a hydroponics system so you will experience rapid growth rates and consumption of large amounts of water regularly.

Now that we’ve discussed the reservoir, let’s talk about the piping. When the aquavalve shuts off the flow, water will sit in the tubing until the tray is empty and the aquavalve calls for a refill. There’s not going to be a lot of water in a short length of 1/4″ ID piping, but nevertheless, you can practice some strategies to keep that water cool, especially if your piping is sitting in full sun.

A common practice in hot and dry climates is to bury your piping below ground. This will help keep the piping cool and prevent damage from exposure to the sun. Remember, as long as your reservoir is higher than your aquavalves, gravity will push the water through piping and into the trays. Burying the piping is a zero-cost way to keep them cool! If you can’t or don’t want to bury the piping, other options are insulting or painting with a lighter color to reflect heat instead of absorb it. The need to do this will depend on system/reservoir placement and sun exposure. If your system/reservoir is in a greenhouse or under a shade tent, burying or insulating the piping likely won’t be necessary. However, if they will be in full sun, you may want to consider implementing some of the above-mentioned strategies to keep the piping cool.

AutoPot System on the front porch using 3.9 gallon pots and 5 gallon fabric pots

Onto the trays and pots. Another common question is…will the water in the trays will get too hot before the plant consumes it?

This topic illustrates the importance of properly establishing your root zone in an AutoPot System before turning it on. If when you turn on the system, you have a small plant and the root zone hasn’t been properly established, the water will sit in the tray longer because the plant isn’t eating as quickly as it should. You want to avoid this when using an AutoPot System outdoors. Make sure you properly establish your root zone before turning on the system because when you do, the plant will be larger, more established and drink faster keeping the water moving which will help prevent it from getting too hot.

However, if you’re feeling ambitious, you could DIY something to shade the trays for added protection. We’ve seen people wrap pots/trays with reflective materials or paint them for an added layer of reflective protection.

White XL Pots (6.6 gallons) used in an outdoor greenhouse

Keep in mind that if you’ve taken the steps to ensure your reservoir and piping is out of direct sun, the water in the trays getting too hot won’t be an issue because of the rate at which the plant is consuming it and calling for more. Moreover, as the plant grows, its canopy will shade the pot/tray from direct sun, so you want your plant to grow quickly and efficiently to help keep things cool!

Speaking of painting pots, did you know we also sell white pots for outdoor use? We them white pots available in 2.2 gallons (used in the easy2grow and 1Pot Systems), 3.9 gallons (used in the easy2grow and 1Pot Systems) and 6.6 gallons (used with the XL Systems). In trials done in Thailand, the Caribbean and the UAE…you can expect anywhere between 5-10 degrees difference in substrate temperature with a white pot vs a black pot. Whether you use one of our white pots or paint/insulate yours with a DIY method, it’s important to properly establish your root zone before turning on the system as having a more established plant that drinks quickly and efficiently when growing outdoors with an AutoPot System is KEY!

AutoPot GeoPot System on a back porch

The final topic in discussing shade vs full sun and keeping temperatures moderate is the consideration of a shade cloth, hoop house or mobile greenhouse. These are all easy ways to not only protect your plants from overheating while keeping things cool. In addition, if you have the framework of something like a greenhouse over your system, you could even go as far as to mount overhead misters to further keep things cool for your plants.

AutoPot 9 Pot System placed in an outdoor greenhouse

Another big topic for outdoor AutoPot use is what to do when it rains. There are a few ways to deal with rain to ensure success. This information is only for growers using their AutoPot System exposed to the elements. If you have your system in a greenhouse, you won’t have to worry about the rain as it will be covered!

If you’re growing with the XXL System or the Tray2Grow System, simply remove the blanking grommet aka the overflow grommet, so water can flow out of the tray during a rain event to not flood the tray. This can only be done with the XXL System and Tray2Grow System as they are the only two product lines with the overflow hole. Of course, you could drill a hole into any tray that is being used outdoors to allow for overflow. Just make sure you drill the hole above the water line. Check this by letting the tray fill up until the flow stops and then mark the tray. Drill a hole above that line so the tray and aquavalve can still function as normal. We recommend drilling the hole on the opposite side of the aquavalve. The hole size used on the XXL System and Tray2Grow System is 3/8” in diameter. It uses this blanking grommet.

AutoPot XXL System growing potatoes and the Tray2Grow System behind it growing tomatoes

If it rains heavily and you’re around, simply turn your reservoir tap off. Once your plants drink all the water that is in the tray from the rain event and the tray is dry, turn the tap back on. Rain will certainly slow the use of the reservoir water, however, good draining soil will happily weep out with gravity. We’ve also had growers recommend lifting the pot out of the tray to allow it to drain during a rain event but that’s not always easy to do, especially when plants get larger.

Rain will follow the contours of the plant and eventually get into the substrate so it’s hard to avoid. Once you have a canopy above the pot, that will help keep the plant cool and keep rain out.

We haven’t noticed issues caused to the plants from rain as long as you’re mindful of the plants. If you live in a rainy climate, don’t allow your plants to be overwatered. If it rains, shut the reservoir off or ensure you have the overflow enabled. This will ensure success growing outdoors with AutoPot, whether you’re using an organic living soil or mineral based fertilizers in the reservoir.

Keys to growing outdoors with AutoPot:

  • Establish your root zone before turning on the system!
  • Use a light, airy substrate blend so it drains well and doesn’t become oversaturated.
  • Use an AirBase or 1” drainage layer of perlite no3 or ph stabilized clay pebbles in the bottom of the pot
  • Place your reservoir in a shady area
  • Paint your reservoir a light color or cover it with reflective material
  • Use a chiller or frozen water bottles to cool down the reservoir temperature
  • Bury or insulate your lines if they will be in full sun
  • Consider a mobile greenhouse or shade cloth if you live in a high temp area
  • Remove blanking grommet for overflow (XXL & Tray2Grow) or consider adding an overflow hole into an existing tray for rain events
  • Shut off the reservoir if you’re around with it rains. Turn it back on when the trays are dry.
AutoPot 100 Pot XL System (6.6 gallon pots) used in an outdoor greenhouse

We have seen people grow successfully in AutoPot outdoors without burying/painting/insulating their reservoir/piping, so it really depends on your specific situation and how hot things get. Make sure you pay attention to your plants and the weather and make adjustments as needed. If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out at 702-338-0373 or info@autopot-usa.com!

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Effortless Watering for Raised Beds & Planters with AQUAbox

Spring is in the air, and as you prepare your outdoor gardens, consider integrating the AutoPot AQUAbox into your plans. The AQUAbox is a self-watering solution for raised beds, planters, and even allotments.

Unleashing the Power of Simplicity:

Ditch the traditional watering methods for your outdoor gardens and embrace the AQUAbox’s gravity-fed design. This innovative system delivers a consistent and optimal water supply directly to your plants’ roots. Simply connect the AQUAbox to a reservoir, and let it take care of the watering, freeing you to focus on nurturing your garden.

Adaptable to Your Garden’s Needs:

The AQUAbox comes in two varieties to perfectly suit your setup:

Each kit is supplied with 6.6ft of 3/8″ pipe and a reducing connector with integral filter, allowing simple connection to a water barrel tap via a section of standard garden hosepipe (not supplied).

(Above: AQUAbox in action, generating a lush greenhouse garden)

Sustainable and Hassle-Free:

The beauty of the AutoPot system lies in its simplicity. Operating entirely without electricity, pumps, or timers, the AQUAbox is an environmentally friendly and reliable solution.  This eliminates the potential for malfunctions and ensures peace of mind.

Benefits for Flourishing Plants:

  • Consistent Moisture Levels: The AQUAbox provides the perfect amount of water, preventing overwatering and underwatering, both detrimental to plant health.
  • Reduced Disease Risk: By maintaining optimal moisture levels, the system helps to prevent fungal diseases that thrive in fluctuating soil conditions.
  • Effortless Maintenance: Free yourself from the constant need to check and adjust your watering schedule. The AQUAbox automates the process, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your flourishing garden.
  • Superior Plant Growth: With consistent hydration and a focus on healthy root development, your plants can reach their full potential, producing larger yields of higher quality.

Invest in Your Garden’s Success:

The AutoPot AQUAbox is an investment in the success of your raised beds and planters. By providing a reliable and automated watering solution, it empowers you to cultivate thriving plants with minimal effort. Visit AutoPot-USA.com or your local garden center or hydroponics retailer to learn more and discover how the AQUAbox can elevate your gardening experience. Find a retail location near you

aquabox spyder
aquabox spyder raised bed
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Unleash Your Garden’s Potential with AutoPot XXL

Breakthrough System for Large-Scale Growers

AutoPot XXL redefines the possibilities for cultivating massive, healthy plants. This innovative system empowers growers with a power-free, self-watering solution specifically designed for 9-gallon and 13-gallon fabric pots.

Effortless Automation:

Unlike traditional watering methods, XXL eliminates the need for constant monitoring and manual adjustments.  The system employs a gravity-fed design that delivers a consistent and optimal water supply to your plants, freeing you from tedious tasks and allowing you to focus on other aspects of your grow.

(Above) XXL fabric pots, in 9 and 13-gallon varieties.

Ample Space for Growth:

XXL caters to ambitious growers by offering compatibility with larger fabric pots.  These expansive containers provide ample room for root development, fostering the growth of robust and flourishing plants. FlexiPots are an excellent alternative to plastic pots in that they stimulate plant growth by training the root structure rather than merely containing it.

When root tips reach the porous side of a FlexiPot they are ‘air-pruned’ – deterred from extending any further by the air outside. Secondary roots then develop, creating a root structure conducive to vastly improved moisture and nutrient uptake. Root circling is also thus eliminated making it possible to produce bigger plants from smaller pots.

An adaptable collar allows you to seamlessly switch between 9-gallon and 13-gallon pots, offering maximum flexibility for your garden’s needs.

(Above) 3D rendering of the AutoPot XXL 4Pot System in action.

Sustainable and Reliable:

A core advantage of the AutoPot system lies in its simplicity.  Operating entirely without electricity or timers, XXL is an environmentally friendly and reliable choice.  This eliminates the potential for malfunctions or disruptions associated with electrical components.

Experience the Benefits:

  • Consistent Moisture: The XXL watering system ensures your plants receive the perfect amount of water, preventing overwatering and underwatering, which can be detrimental to plant health.
  • Reduced Disease Risk: By maintaining optimal moisture levels, XXL helps to prevent fungal diseases that often thrive in fluctuating soil moisture conditions.
  • Enhanced Growth Potential: With consistent hydration and ample space for root development, your plants can reach their full potential, producing larger yields of higher quality. The same pot porosity increases oxygen exchange in the substrate – supercharging growth.
  • Effortless Maintenance: Free yourself from the constant need to check and adjust your watering schedule. XXL automates the process, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your flourishing garden.

Invest in Growth, Reap the Rewards:

The AutoPot XXL system is an investment in the success of your large-scale garden.  By providing a reliable and automated watering solution, it empowers you to cultivate thriving plants with minimal effort. Supersize your growing today by clicking here or visiting your local garden center or hydroponics retailer. Find a retail location near you.

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Easy2Flow: The Bio-Revolution for Keeping Your Hydroponic System Flowing Freely

Clogged irrigation lines, stubborn build-up in your reservoir, and reduced flow rates – these are just some of the headaches every hydroponics grower faces. Traditional cleaning methods often rely on harsh chemicals like acids and peroxides, which can harm your plants and the delicate ecosystem you’ve created with your AutoPot. But what if there was a better way, a way that’s not only effective but also safe and organic?

Enter Easy2Flow, the bioenzyme-based solution that’s revolutionizing the world of hydroponic system maintenance. This OMRI-certified product harnesses the power of beneficial bacteria to tackle clogs and build-up in a natural, eco-friendly way.

(Above) A 1-Gallon bottle of Easy2Flow, sitting next to an AutoPot system

Why Bioenzymes are Better:

Unlike traditional enzyme-based cleaners, Easy2Flow utilizes living bacteria that produce biofilm-digesting enzymes on demand. This approach offers several advantages:

  • Wider range of effectiveness: Bioenzymes work across a broader spectrum of pH, temperature, and salt levels, ensuring optimal performance in your system.
  • Targeted action: The bacteria actively seek out and digest biofilm, even in mixed clogs, leading to more thorough cleaning.
  • Long-lasting benefits: Bioenzymes continuously produce enzymes, preventing future build-up before it starts.
  • Plant and soil friendly: Unlike harsh chemicals, Easy2Flow is completely safe for your plants and beneficial microbes, promoting a healthy and balanced ecosystem.

Easy2Flow Benefits:

  • Rapidly cleans and restores: 8 hours is all it takes for Easy2Flow to break down biofilm and mineral deposits, restoring your irrigation system to peak performance.
  • All-in-one solution: This versatile product tackles both biofilm and mineral build-up, eliminating the need for multiple cleaners.
  • Prevents future clogs: Continuous enzyme production keeps your lines, emitters, reservoir, and entire system flowing freely.
  • Safe and organic: The OMRI certification guarantees Easy2Flow’s natural ingredients, protecting your plants and the environment.
  • Easy application: Works seamlessly with all irrigation systems, including drip lines, tape, and pipes.

Above: A 16.9 Oz bottle of Easy2Flow, helping surrounding plants in the AutoPots thrive.

Getting Started with Easy2Flow:

  1. Use non-chlorinated water: Chlorine can harm the beneficial bacteria, so ensure your water source is chlorine-free.
  2. Recirculate the water: For maximum effect, use a recirculating pump for 15 minutes every two hours. Avoid constant circulation and aeration to prevent pH fluctuations.
  3. Reservoir & line maintenance: Add Easy2Flow at 2 ml/liter of water each time you refill your reservoir. For heavy clogs, use 4 ml/liter.
  4. Line maintenance only: When not refilling the reservoir, add Easy2Flow at 2 ml/liter after it empties to 1/4th full.

Embrace the Bio-Revolution with Easy2Flow:

Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to a cleaner, healthier hydroponic system with Easy2Flow. This innovative bioenzyme solution not only restores your system’s efficiency but also promotes a thriving environment for your plants. Give Easy2Flow a try and experience the bio-revolution firsthand!

Learn more and unlock the full potential of your AutoPot system!

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Maximize Your AutoPot System’s Capacity with PotDivider

The AutoPot Watering System has established itself as a versatile and efficient irrigation solution for gardeners of all levels. But could it be even more adaptable and accommodating? Enter the AutoPot PotDivider, an innovative insert that multiplies your planting capacity without increasing system size or demanding significant investment.

The PotDivider provides a variety of benefits and features so you can make the most of your existing system. 

Above: PotDivider in the 8.5 L / 2.2 gal pots of an AQUAvalve5-equipped easy2grow module

Divisible Benefits

  • Quadruple Your Plant Count: Each pot, equipped with PotDivider, can now house four plants in distinct compartments. This is ideal for smaller varieties like herbs or for cultivating seedlings before they graduate to individual pots.
  • Tailored Compatibility: PotDivider seamlessly fits both 2.2-gallon and 3.9-gallon AutoPot systems, and is compatible with 1Pot and easy2grow modules, offering extensive application possibilities.
  • Pre-Veg Perfection: PotDivider excels at nurturing young plants until they’re ready for their own pots. This ensures AutoPot caters comprehensively to the pre-vegetative stage, whether within modules or garden trays (like the easy2GO Kit).
  • Maximizing Output: Utilize PotDivider to leverage your system’s modules to their fullest potential, maximizing plant count per unit.

Above: PotDivider lifts in and out, slots together, and is disassembled with ease

Convenient Features

  • Easy Assembly and Disassembly: PotDivider snaps together and disassembles effortlessly, making setup and cleaning a breeze.
  • Clean Transplanting: The insert lifts out cleanly, gently transferring your young plants to their next stage of growth.
  • Pebble-Free Base: The double floor eliminates the need for a pebble layer in the pot’s base, simplifying setup and maintenance.

Above: The double floor in the PotDivider removes the need for a layer of pebbles or gravel in the base of the pot

The PotDivider is not just an accessory – it further enhances the adaptability and efficiency within your existing AutoPot system, empowering you to cultivate and experiment more. Get your AutoPot PotDivider here or find it at your local AutoPot retailer.

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Growing On Vacation – With Easy2GO

Whether you’re going across the country or staying local this holiday season, you want to come back to thriving plants. AutoPot has exactly what you need to be worry-free during your time away – all power-free and without the need for running water, meaning you can leave them unattended for weeks.

Above: easy2GO allows you to use your own potted plants with AutoPot

While any of the AutoPot Watering Systems can be left alone for extended periods, how about something that turns what you already have into a watering system? Something really simple? Maybe you’ve got a great little selection of plants potted up and looking fine. If you want automatic watering and feeding without having to purchase new systems. easy2GO solves this in minutes.

The easy2GO Kit turns any flat-based garden tray into an AutoPot Watering System. Assemble the kit, connect to any water butt or reservoir, pop your plants in the tray, and you’re free to go. This has been one of our best-selling, core products for years – all because of its beautiful simplicity.

Above: The easy2GO Kit includes AQUAvalve5, a weighted AQUAvalve cover, 9mm pipe, a 16-9mm inline filer for water butts and a 9mm grommet and Golf Filter if using with drilled reservoirs

At the heart of easy2GO is the AQUAvalve; a power-free, self-regulating float valve. The valve meters out a supply of water and/or nutrient solution into the tray. Only once the plants have exhausted that supply will the valve reopen to admit a fresh fill. There is no need for pumps or timers because the AQUAvalve is controlled by plant demand t. Free from any requirements of electricity or running water, easy2GO can be used practically anywhere; in your home, greenhouse, porch or balcony.

Above: easy2GO allows you to leave plants unattended for weeks – making it the ideal solution
to holiday watering and low-maintenance growing

Such simplicity means fewer limitations and, with that, greater versatility. Thus the possibilities with easy2GO are practically endless. Set one up, put your feet up on some faraway beach (be it physical or mental), and dream of your next move. In the spirit of easy2GO, we’ll leave it at that.

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Better Growing Indoors

What if we said that indoor growing typically involves more focus and refinement than cultivation outdoors? While we’re fans of horticulture in all arenas we tend to agree with this statement. And we’d suggest that the reasons for the ‘heightened’ nature of growing indoors are twofold.

Above: Born free, AQUAbox Spyder feeding and irrigating an outdoor raised bed

The first reason is mental. Outdoors your plants are exposed and at the mercy of the elements. Because of this, an outdoor growing mindset can emerge. You tend and shepherd your plants, encourage and support them wherever possible, but accept that they are ultimately free. By comparison indoor growing can be more intense and immediate. Simply by dint of the fact that your plants are right there in front of you can easily become obsessed with them. And it’s not all in your mind.

Above: Anything is possible indoors, but striking a balance is key

Indoor growing requires forms of plant ‘life support’ that are not necessary in the great outdoords This brings us to the second reason for greater attention to detail when growing indoors. You may have to introduce light, heat, ventilation, humidity, water, pest control, and feed, and do all this whilst maintaining a stable, growth-stimulating balance. How might we help you with that you ask yourselves? Good question.

Above: AutoPot Tray2Grow systems with reservoirs elevated to induced gravity pressure – negating the need for pumps

Firstly, by keeping it simple. With a gravity-fed system such as AutoPot there’s no need for pumps. This actively helps to reduce excess heat and noise in your growing space which, in turn, allows you to reduce your reliance on climatic and acoustic countermeasures.

There’s simply less kit with AutoPot modules too. This space efficiency gives you the option of getting more plants into your growing space or giving yourself more room to work around the plants. The modules are also truly modular in that they can be added to or removed from the system without any disruption to the rest of the system itself. If you ever did have a problem plant or wanted to expand quickly there’d be nothing to stop you from sorting that out.

Above: With less kit required AutoPot systems such as easy2grow are an incredibly space-efficient way to grow indoors

Because no running water is required you can set up just about anywhere, making your system incredibly flexible and allowing you to take full advantage of whatever space you have. Smaller systems come with compact 12.4 gallon plastic reservoirs while larger ones are available with collapsible FlexiTank reservoirs that can be set up easily and tucked away discreetly.

The way the systems irrigate can also be a great help when growing indoors. In AutoPot modules water and nutrient solution are introduced via the pipework and fittings to the module tray and up into the pot. This means the top layer of your growing media is often dry. Without a wet top layer of grow media in the pot, certain types of fungus and pests are denied a foothold, reducing the need for intervention on this front too. For first-time AutoPot growers, the dry top layer can be a cause of concern but it is nothing to worry about, all the action is taking place deep in the pot.

Above: Whilst simple and compact the systems remain highly effective – as demonstrated here by Plantasia

Further simplifying things is the elimination of recirculation with AutoPot. Each module sits at the end of its own individual ‘branch line’. Water and nutrients travel to the module on a one-way ticket. There is no onward journey for your solution, it gets admitted to the module tray as and when required, consumed, and replenished with a fresh supply every time. The three big benefits to this are: 1) there’s no requirement for waste plumbing (as there is no waste), 2) there’s zero chance of one plant passing root disease to another via nutrient solution, and 3) there’s less chance of the nutrient concentration becoming depleted without you noticing.

Above: Truly modular by design, all plants are independently fed and you can add or remove pots and trays at will with zero impact on the rest of the system

Finally, how about some peace of mind? Without electricity, running water, pumps, or computers you just don’t need to be there all the time. You can go outdoors even if your plants can’t, send them a postcard maybe. Go! Enjoy a bit of headspace, it’ll help you focus on the things that really matter.

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Give Your Plants a Life with an AirBase!

AirBase Cover Image

Elevate your plants effortlessly with an AirBase! This convenient plate seamlessly integrates into the base of your pot during setup, eliminating the need for a drainage layer of clay pebbles, perlite or hydroton. While simple, cheap, and effective, the preparation, pH balancing (clay pebbles), and use of a drainage layer can be a chore. With an AirBase, it’s as easy as dropping it in, and you’re good to go. This indispensable addition includes a pop-out center section, providing a simple and optional integration with AirDome.

AirBase Square will fit our 2.2 gal 3.9 gal pots while the AirBase Round is designed for 6.6 gal pots and 3 gal or 5 gal fabric GeoPots. A beautifully intuitive and effective innovation, AirBase is fabricated from tough ABS plastic making it highly durable and thus extensively reusable.

Our growing range of affordable ‘pot mods’ allow you incredible scope to diversify within your existing AutoPot set up. AirBase joins the ranks of Pot Divider, AirDome, Strawberry Topper, and our bespoke Propagation Lids.

Now you can multiply your plant count within each pot using Pot Divider, boost growth and yields through root zone oxygenation with AirDome, let your fruits hang low for ease of plant care and picking with Strawberry Topper, and generate the humidity that young plants crave with our snug-fitting, fully adjustable Propagation Lids. What a world we live in! Follow our Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube feeds for further announcements on the launch of AirBase and other forthcoming products!

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Controlled Release Fertilizers in AutoPot

beanstalk in autopot

In a recent YouTube growth series, we tried Beanstalk CRF (Controlled Release Fertilizer) to test the viability of using this unique fertilization method with the AutoPot System.

Beanstalk CRF Fertilizers

Controlled Release Fertilizers are mineral-based fertilizers enclosed within specialized capsules that release various elements at different times as the coating dissolves. Beanstalk CRF employs a unique porous polymer coating to encapsulate its exclusive fertilizer blend. This coating enables nutrients to dissolve into a solution at a rate equivalent to the plant’s water consumption. This consistent nutrient availability empowers the plant to efficiently utilize the nutrients as and when it requires them. The concept of enabling the plant to access what it needs, precisely when it needs it, closely aligns with the principles of an AutoPot System, which offers plants the freedom to drink as much as they want, whenever they want. With this synergy in mind, the decision to embark on a trial grow with Beanstalk CRF was nothing short of a logical choice!

The goal of the trial was to see if we could use a CRF fertilizer in an AutoPot with only water in the reservoir. If successful, it would make growing in an AutoPot even easier, as we would eliminate the need for mixing, measuring, and monitoring nutrients. Beanstalk is mixed into the substrate when you fill the pots and feeds your plants throughout their entire life cycle.

The two approaches we used when mixing Beanstalk CRF into our blended substrate

Before we started the process, we had to understand an important concept of an AutoPot system. In AutoPots, the top few inches of the substrate are designed to remain dry because that’s where residual salts end up at the end of the grow via capillary lift. Salts continue to wick upwards throughout the grow cycle and end up in this area where roots are not present, serving as a ‘flush zone.’ This is why it’s essential never to feed from the top after you turn the system on if you’re using mineral-based fertilizer. It will push those salts that have accumulated in the top few inches back down into the root zone and cause your plant to overfeed. On the contrary, if you’re using something like living soil, this concept is not relevant, and you can even add a moisture barrier at the top (mulch, a pot cover, or something similar) to utilize every inch of the soil in the pot. This just highlights the many different uses of an AutoPot System.

You can watch the full series on our YouTube channel here.

Back to Beanstalk… We had to determine whether we wanted to mix the Beanstalk throughout the entire pot (in the wet and dry zones) or just in the bottom ¾ where it stays saturated with dense root growth. In the end, we thought, why choose? So we did both! More on this later.

Measuring Beanstalk CRF

Here are the rates at which we added Beanstalk to each pot, regardless of which method we chose:

• Absolute Flower: 15 grams per gallon (60 grams total for a 3.9-gallon pot)

• CA-Fortify: 5 grams per gallon (20 grams total for a 3.9-gallon pot)

• K-Boost: 5 grams per gallon (20 grams total for a 3.9-gallon pot)

Beanstalk CRF out of the bag about to measured

In addition to Beanstalk, we used our favorite rooting additive, Regenaroot from CX Horticulture, at a rate of 4 ml per gallon throughout the veg and bloom stages. This product is very clean, pH stable, and easy to use. It always helps to use a rooting stimulator to help your plant establish a healthy root zone and keep it that way.

You can watch the full series on our YouTube channel here.

We first filled our pots with our substrate blend of coco + clay pebbles/perlite. We like to use a light, well-blended substrate with AutoPot, as that maximizes the system’s performance. Anything too heavy can cause oversaturation. Once we filled our pot to the desired height with our blended substrate, we weighed out our Beanstalk and dumped each product into the pot. Then, while wearing gloves, we mixed everything to evenly distribute the Beanstalk throughout the pot.

Beanstalk CRF before mixing
Beanstalk CRF after mixing

After mixing the Beanstalk into our blended substrate, it was time to pot up. We potted up our plants using the solo cup method, which involves placing the exact same cup you’re using for your seedling into the substrate, packing it down, and then removing it so you have the exact-sized hole needed for a smooth transplant.

Getting ready to transplant seedings in the AutoPot System

After we potted up our plants, we top-fed for 7-10 days to establish our root zone before turning on the system. Once we turned on the system, it was smooth sailing the entire time. Throughout the entire grow, very little needed to be done from week to week since we didn’t have to mix a full line of nutrients, check EC, or worry about feeding schedules. We were honestly surprised at how well the product performed and the quality of the plants, considering how easy it was!

You can watch the full series on our YouTube channel here.

Benefits of Beanstalk:

  • No need to flush lines.
  • No need to mix the reservoir.
  • No need to check EC/PPM.
  • High-quality end product.
  • Great tasting end product.
  • Affordable (About 5 cents per gram or $39.60 for the entire grow when using Beanstalk CRF).

You can watch the full series on our YouTube channel here.