HELP! New to this, and have many questions...

[Greenpassion]

Hi again. I'm looking to start some auto flower seeds, and want to start them in the pots they will go to harvest in, and want to know about others experiences with smart pots, using Kind Soil, for autofems.
Not sure what size I should do these in....
I have several 300 wat LED lights that I used for my first (and what I thought was my last) grow, but with autofems, I can just keep them all in the same room start to finish rather than having to move them from the veg room into the flowering room, right? I plan to keep the lights on 20/4.
My attraction to auto flowering plants is that from what I've read, I won't have to mess around with ph, or nutrients at all. I have well water, and the ph sometimes fluxuates a bit if I remember correctly, so the Kind Soil should take care of that issue.??
Can someone out there reassure me that my plans mentioned above are on track?

[9fingerleafs]

hey there, welcome to the forum, thats not exaclty right, autoflowers grow under any light schedule so they tend to be faster. but that means you have to provide the perfect environment so they can grow as much as possible before flowering and to be able to finish on schedule. so you do have to worry about ph and nutrients. even more than photoperiod plants because theres no time to waste. get a way to measure ph and read on the main site about feeding, youll need to understand what the plant is asking you for so you know what it needs, meaning nitrogen phosphorus potassium etc... (:

[Greenpassion]

I was told that when using Kind Soil the ph stays within range. And to never water to run off because I'd be washing the nutrients away. You said I DO have to check ph, bit when I check the ph of the water going into the pot I do so by checking the run off. .So how do I check the ph of the water going through? I'm confused .

[Steveo h]

There are so many variables in runoff PH that its not something to worry about.As long as the PH of whatever is going in is correct, your OK.

[Greenpassion]

I am an avid orchid grower and actually have done a grow of weed 2 years ago. Indoors, using Pro mix, and Biotanicare nutrients. It was a very nice grow, but I didn't continue due to a personal tragedy in my life. I'm now starting to get back into it, and do know a bit about plants and nutrient needs...

[9fingerleafs]

check the ph of the water you regularly use before watering, premixed soils do have ph buffers but you should be aware of what the ph and mineral content of the water you use. heres more info on soil https://www.growweedeasy.com/soil and heres more info on ph and nutrients https://www.growweedeasy.com/nutrien...ent-absorption (:

[Greenpassion]

Ok. Thank you for your help

[Campesino]

Greenpassion I think your plan is basically sound. It is a good idea to use good water (neutral pH and low EC/PPM), but in Kind Soil you will probably be forgiven if either is less than ideal.

P.S. You don't have to move photoperiod plants to a different room, you just have to change the light schedule. With Autos you can leave them on 20/4 till harvest if you like, but I'd give them more darkness during the final week.

Good luck with your grow!

[Greenpassion]

Thank you so much Campisino. I needed that☺ I am still looking for the answer to my question about growing auto fem plants in Kindsoil. I read recently where someone said it won't work because auto flowering plants can be burned in kindsoil ...?

[Campesino]

No problem!

The only thing that I really would suggest that you reconsider is your desire to not transplant. It will be much easier to water effectively when the plants are small if they are in appropriate size containers. Plants always grow faster when they are in the right size container and will out grow plants in larger containers even if they suffer minor transplant shock.
I rec a three stage transplant regime in soil: Solo cup - 2 or 3 gallon fabric - Final (5-10 gallon fabric).

Fabric pots are ABSOLUTELY the way to go!

[Greenpassion]

Got it! Will do! And yes on the smart pots!

[Campesino]

Great!
So, if you start them in small containers and you are worried that the soil might be too "hot", you can preflush the soil to reduce the heat.
Fill the solo cups (lots of holes for drainage) with soil and pour a couple gallons of plain water through each. This will leach some of the nutrients and effectively reduce the "heat" of the soil to protect the small plants. You will get the benefit of full nutrition when you transplant up to larger pots with un-flushed soil.

[Greenpassion]

Thank you! Good advice ☺

[Greenpassion]

Question. How come I don't see a "Like "button under a post from you so I can "Like your post?

[Campesino]

You can't like "comments" only posts!
To make a comment you hit the comment button on the lower right... Like this.

Only new posts have the like feature, but yeah, it would be nice to be able to like comments too!

BTW Thanks

[Greenpassion]

Another question. And I'm sure there'll be many more! I plan to sprout my auto seeds in rapid rooter plugs. Then move them to solo cups. Do I put kindsoil in the solo cups or just potting mix? (Pro mix)
Also , is it difficult to transplant using smart pots?

[Campesino]

I would flush the kind soil a bit and use it.

RE transplanting in smart pots: It can be a little tricky, but isn't that tough. It is much easier if you are willing to cut the pot!. If you want to save the pot this is what I do...
1. Slide a knife around the inside of the pot to separate media from the sides of the pot
2. Place my hand on top of the media with the plant between two fingers - and flip her upside down
3. Carefully work the fabric pot off of the media. Separating the media from the bottom is the toughest, because you can't pre-slide a knife

After the first one the rest are much easier.

[Greenpassion]

Wow. You are so helpful 🙂 I'm not sure at this stage whether I'll cut or save. I'll be getting them on line . Any suggestions ?

[Campesino]

Oh if you haven't gotten them yet, you might want to consider getting transplanters!
I'll go chase up a link

[Campesino]

Here you go... http://a.co/i5MdXZG

Cost a little more, but best of both worlds

[Campesino]

Here is another cheaper set http://a.co/dOriY6s
I use the 24/7 bags, but not the transplanter. I am sending links for 3-gallon bags, because I think that is the best second step size for soil. The second step is the only one that you need to transplant out of fabric (if you start in solo cups).

[Greenpassion]

What are transplanters? I have a set of 24/7 in my Amazon wish list.

[Campesino]

Do you see the links?

[Greenpassion]

Yes. I put some in my wish list!

[Campesino]

The "trans-planter" is because they open up with velcro. So you can much more easily transplant and you can still re-use the bags.