My 4 pot xl with spring pots showed up the other day and I’m trying to gather up all the stuff I’ll need to get rollin.
My main question for now is what do you use in the bottom of the pots? I’ve been reading that a lot of folks are using big chunk (#4) perlite over hydroton pellets because of differences in ph between the res and the trays
I didn’t use any form of layer inside the bottom of my grow bag and don’t see anything that tells me its needed based on this grow.
I wasn’t yet set on Autopots when these plants were started so one is in straight coco, and the other in a coco / perlite blend. I can’t say that I can see a difference between the two honestly. I’ll probably go with a blend in the future just for good measure. Probably roughly 70% or so coco.
Both have roots pushing through the grow bag but not making it through the pot socks (which is good, you don’t want them making their way into the float area which could block a float and cause flooding).
I wanted to get the grow as “automated” as possible which is why I’m running the AN Sensi Coco line of nutes. A little more costly than Jack’s but I have quite literally not touched my PH pen or EC meter since setting this up. I try to change out the res about once per week and top off in between “IF” needed with just enough extra to get to that week mark.
Since there is no runoff, the only water I’m tossing is whatever is left in the res when I change it. “maybe” a gallon at the most of waste so the nutes are not as costly as they may seem when you’re used to 20% runoff multiple times per week…
Congrats on jumping in, you’re going to love them!!
EDIT - Reminder for whatever its worth, this grow is in 3 gallon fabric pots. Cheapies from Amazon…
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Gotcha…I went back over the beginning of your thread and I didn’t see anything on the AP’s so I kinda figured that’s what was going on… I can’t wait to get started but I’m probably 2 weeks from dropping beans
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Biggest thing to know / remember is to get the plants well “established” in the final homes before turning on the res. I used my standard set-up with plant elevators and saucers top fed until I had confidence the tap root made it to the bottom of the bag. Set-up the trays and turned it on when the leafs about hit the sides of the bags.
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I smoked a 4lb beef brisket for 26 hrs like 2 months ago. Was it ever the best tasting meat I ever ate. Kinda messed up on my times started at 11 am and meant to start it at 11pm so it smoke 12 hrs longer than I wanted not on purpose. After it got done I was like man that smoked for a long time wife adds says yep 26hrs. Oops I put it in am not pm. 
I always go by temp, not time. Once the shoulder hits 200-205 internally its perfection.
Drives everyone else nuts - When’s it going to be done? The only right answer is when its ready…
EDIT - Bluetooth thermometer is a godsend.
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@Low If you’re having trouble getting your low temps with the pit boss there is a solution. A little pricey but I love mine. Does a phenomenal job maintaining your temps, whatever you set it at. It’s called a Savannah Stoker. It replaces the control unit on most any grill including the Pit Boss. The downside is that they are like $190 and you will also need the adapter plate for a pit boss, but only a few more dollars. Money very well spent in my opinion. I cook butts all the time and the grill just does such an outstanding job on them. I had trouble with mine not maintaining low temps or any temps for that matter. Wild swings all the time.
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My wife’s mom just bought a new electric smoke all blue tooth stuff pretty sweet. Gonna have to invest in one for myself as I have a propane style right now but works great. I’m a fan of smoked meats only meat I’m not much for is pork pork is so disgusting gross I can’t even stomach it. Bacon and ham is the only pork I eat.
Few “upskirt” shots. Sick’O’Berry then Gelato auto.
For those keeping score, SOB is just starting week 6 of flower, just finished week 12 from sprout. Gelato is inside of week 7 of flower, just finished week 13 from sprout. Both in 3 gallon bags.
HLG over the SOB and SF1000 over the gelato.
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Those are some awesome pictures you got there!
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Nice girl’s
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Thanks bud, they’re coming along…!
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@helicopterhigh, this is my current grow thread. If you go to the bottom of this (or any) thread you’ll see a notification setting, if you set it to “Watching” you’ll get notifications when there are new posts.
Gromies, welcome @helicopterhigh to the forum. He’s my local bud who’s growing out the other female Sick’O’Berry!
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Will post some more bud porn over the next few days when I can take some good shots. Still a lot of filling out for them to do at the moment. Today is only day 36 since flipping to 12/12 so plenty of time for her to bulk up.
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That puts you about 11 days ahead of me. When did your stretch stop?
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