New grow, new challenge

[JonnyBoy]

Hey yall folks!

usually wanted to start an new journal with my second grow, but actually short on time. I will catch it up soon.

actually iam struggling abit.
got new equipment for actual grow. It rocks…. (720w LED, Aquapots, better climate.., much faster and better grow compared to my cripply first run)
but… I got aquapots, and after few weeks my plants got some spots in leaves…. Not sure what’s the cause….
guess it’s the buildup in soil of the ph-up…. Guess need an flush?
Ph in reservoir is fine, have removed the aquapots, flushed the pots, and just put them back in tent. Excited to see tomorrow how they react…
there are only 2 possible causes for this…. Otherwise the ph- buildup in soil, or the wet bottom, which causes root rot. Just tought aquapots should work fine…. Maybe I should put an layer of Corel’s at bottom…. Let me hear your opinions =)

(last pic is actual setup after flushing and without aquapots)

[JonnyBoy]

Additional thoughts: for me personally it feels like the aquapots are watering too early, the pots don’t dry, it’s like constant wet at bottom…. In my logic, they should watering after pots are nearly dry….?
any aquapot users with experience here? 😅😁😎

€dit1: iam using the tripart from Terra Aqua (former GHE, it’s an mireralic supplement)

[golfnrl]

Hi JonnyBoy. I've been growing in autopots for a number of years. The medium does not dry out but stays moist, not wet once it is saturated. The plant feed from the bottom once the system is turned on and only takes what it needs. Contrary to what some may think the roots do not sit in water all of the time. It looks to me like you have a cal/mag deficiency. What is the PH in your rez and the PH in your pot trays. They will be different.

The natural wicking action causes the plant to push unused salts to the top of the grow medium. The top 1" stays dry. After the system is turned on top watering is not recommended because it pushes the unused salts down into the roots. Flushing an individual pot is a last resort. I've only done it once.

Did you use any medium in the bottom of your pots before you put in your soil? Or did you use the autopot airbase? You'll need to use clay pebbles, the air base, perlite or PH neutral medium in the bottom of your pots.

[JonnyBoy]

Rez is ~6-6.5 in autopot same ph, maybe slightly lower. Iam using drops for ph measurements. Will get an electronic ph-tester at end of month.
Putted only soil in it (it’s lightmix from plagron, has perlite in it). Should put an layer of Corel’s in it. How high should this layer be? I’m thinking bout repotting, not sure if this too much stress for the plants…
Have cleaned the autopots, put them back, and will check ph in pots again soon.

[Smallgrow]

Make sure you get a quality PH pen . BlueLabs or Apera would be my recommendation. take care of it and calibrate it. Otherwise you will cause yourself more grief. They cost some money so save longer if you have too, don’t waste your time and money on cheap ones

[Bluey]

The pH at the roots is likely a bit low.

What is the pH in the res please?

[JonnyBoy]

golfnrl And should I use the nutrient schedule for soil or hydro? Guess hydro?
and how thick should be the pebbles layer at bottom?
I will repot them.. guessed already, was an fault to skip this x)

[golfnrl]

I'd suggest following the hydro feed schedule at about half strength with a cal/mag supplement. Use about 1" of pebbles in the bottom of your pot. When you get your PH pen check the PH in the rez and the pot tray. They will be different. If I remember right autopot recommends 5.8 for your rez when growing in soil. But check me on that. I grow in coco. I have to keep my rez at 5.5 - 5.6 PH for the PH to be in range in the trays. As the nutrient solution travels through the piping the PH rises. If your PH fluctuates in the rez use a small aquarium pump set to run 10-15 mins every 2-3 hours as an airstone will cause your PH to be all over the map. You might look into a PH controller for your rez. It'll make your life easier. The cool thing abut autopots is you can use any medium you want. I like coco and perlite.

[Bluey]

Your pH is marginally too low at the roots causing those leaf symptoms.

Are you running an airstone in the reservoir? The job of the airstone is to aerate the nute mix, raise the pH and helps keep the goodies suspended in the res.

If you are not running an airstone, next res fill, raise the pH a few points. 6 is too low for a soil grow, 6.2/3 should be as low as you need to go in veg. Next res fill aim for 6.5 to 6.8

You are likely overwatering also. This will make the issue worse as the soil cannot regulate pH as it normally does if that's the case.

Edit. On another note, soil is NOT a suitable medium for a hydro grow. If you're going hydro in your nutes and fertigation methodology you need a suitable medium, eg., coco coir