Airpot Users.

BudBaby · Nov 7, 2011

Im switching from hydro(bubble buckets) to 20 ltr airpots with plant magic soil and there oldtimer nutes.

My question is do i need to pot up with airpots? Could i start the seed in a paper cup and go straight to the 20ltr airpot without losing yeild? I could start the seeds in 1ltr airpot actually but im not sure if i can jump straight into the big pot?

Thanks in advance

stlmatt · Nov 9, 2011

I use air-pots. I start my seedlings in a standard size starter tray with humidity dome, once the roots start to show out the bottom of the tray-cups I transplant them into the air pots with no issues, just make sure you water the hell out of the soil in the airpots a day before transplanting. The one thing I dont like aboout the airpots is if you let the soil get to dry (and airpots will dry out faster than a standard pot) and attempt to water them to fast....the water will shoot out of the upper holes and will not make it into the soil. When useing Air-pots you need to water them slowly as to allow the soil to soak up the water, without it shooting out the upper holes. The good news is I have had no issues with root rot or root bound plants since I switched to Air-pots. After harvest when you remove the pot you will see just how good these pots work

Stlmatt

BeaverHuntr · Nov 9, 2011

I use air pots I always start my seedlings in rapid rooter plugs and then transfer them to party cups and then when big enough I send them to air pots. Same with clones. I transfer them from whatever they come in into air pots with coco.

BudBaby · Nov 10, 2011

Thanks for the advice guys

Ill take a look at those rapid rooter plugs

I cant wait to switch over, my hydro bud is fine but its alot of work and alot of chemicals!!

Rrog · Nov 10, 2011

BudBaby said:
I cant wait to switch over, my hydro bud is fine but its alot of work and alot of chemicals!!

Great idea. Best of luck. Consider using a natural soil with compost and EWC and skip the chemicals entirely, including the "organic fert" bottles

BudBaby · Nov 10, 2011

Rrog said:
Great idea. Best of luck. Consider using a natural soil with compost and EWC and skip the chemicals entirely, including the "organic fert" bottles

This is my plan in time when i have got used to growing in soil, id like to try the supersoil or maybe make my own mix

Ive just ordered some plugs off ebay, i didnt know there was such a thing

Would i be better starting it in the plug then potting up to a 3ltr airpot and then up again into a 15ltr pot or could i just put the plug straight into the 15 ltr pot when roots are showing? Ive seen different advice on airpots, some say pot up and some say dont. If i wont lose anything yeild wise i will got straight into the 15 ltr pots, less work the better!

Rrog · Nov 10, 2011

If you had any thoughts or questions about going all natural soil, I'd be pleased and glad to address anything at all. If you're interested at some point. Anyone who is even contemplating abandoning commercial ferts for all natural soil I am totally motivated to help.

BudBaby · Nov 10, 2011

Rrog said:
If you had any thoughts or questions about going all natural soil, I'd be pleased and glad to address anything at all. If you're interested at some point. Anyone who is even contemplating abandoning commercial ferts for all natural soil I am totally motivated to help.

Thanks man i appreciate that, ill get a couple of grows under my belt first then i want to start thinking about soil mixes. I know im still planning on using organic bottled ferts but i still think this will give me better buds and when im used to growing in soil i can start and look into going even more natural

I really do think if i veg these ladies for 12 weeks instead of the usual 8-9 in hydro i wont be far off yeild wise and the bud quality is what matters to me, i dont mind losing a bit of yeild and taking a bit more time for a more natural and better end product.

When you say natural soil do you mean like a supersoil mix where you just add water the whole cycle or do you make your own organic teas?

Rrog · Nov 10, 2011

I think you'll be pleased with the bud quality. It's just a better smoke IMHO. Done properly, I think the yield issue is overblown. And the cost savings with soil can be enormous, especially is the soil is recycled.

When I say natural soil, I think the SuperSoil is getting close. Teas are always a great idea, whether for the soil or as a foliar. You are literally putting together an army of billions whose sole function in life is to feed and protect your plant.

Please don't get me wrong, I think going with organic ferts is a big move in a good direction. Very good for you. Please let us know how you like the transition.

BudBaby · Nov 10, 2011

Thanks man its great to have a few tips here on there from more experianced growers.

Regarding these organic starter plug dude, could i just start the seed in that and then just go straight to a 15ltr airpot or is that to big a jump?

Rrog · Nov 10, 2011

I'm not that experienced. I have a science education and I ask hundreds of annoying questions and read articles obsessively. I lack direct experience, and can only read and compile information and data.

Organic mediums are typically pretty gentle on seedlings, with the supersoil being an exception. I'm not familiar with the plant magic and oldtimer you are using. Assuming the soil isn't heavily amended (like with blood meal) and you go light on the nutes as I'm sure you already do at first, you may be fine. The airpots are a great idea and I wish I could use them (they are a little too wide for my small grow area) and if the soil is not really strong, the airpots will not be a bad thing.

Personally, my concern would not be about the airpots just as stlmatt said

BudBaby · Nov 10, 2011

Thanks dude, im thinking i may go plug to 3ltr airpot instead of plastic cup then into 15 ltr pots. Seems pointless watering a big pot just for a small seedling.

Rrog · Nov 10, 2011

I think the benefit of getting the seedling into the final pot ASAP is to capitalize on the AM fungi . The fungi won't start growing until there are plant roots present. Other fungi will, but not AM Fungi. It's very brittle, so a transplant can require time to re-establish the fungi in some cases.

If I were not using supersoil I would make a small indent in the middle of the big pot, backfill that indent with Promix seed starter, and start the plant in the big pot with no transplant whatsoever. This assumes the soil isn't too hot.

BudBaby · Nov 11, 2011

Thanks for the advice, i think ill start the seeds in the organic plugs in my propogator then put them in the 15ltr pots then, on 1/4 nutes. Less work sounds good to me

My airpots have arrived and my plant pot saucers, the pots are slightly to big for the saucers so instead of fitting in them they sort of rest on them but they will still do the job. I cant go for bigger ones as i have space issues. I could always turn them upside down i suppose and any extra water will drip into the grooves around the side.

I was going to ask you about feeding the plants. Do i slowly water them until water starts runing out of the bottom of the pots? I take it when it does start running out it means the soil is fully wet? Sorry for the basic questions i just want to get this right.

Rrog · Nov 12, 2011

I think the initial moisture level is a big deal and I lost a lot of seedlings in soil by either going too wet (damping off) or too dry. I asked around and read quite a bit and what I distilled down is to have the soil just hold a ball when you compress it. No water drains when you do this. If the soil drains really well when you water it, then I found a good soak will get you to that point. Give the soil a good watering and leave it alone. I do not cover directly like with Saran Wrap or a low dome. I found it was not necessary at all with a good draining damp soil. Part of my previous problems were with horseshit soil. Really excellent drainage is such a critical piece.

I just crack the seeds in warm (70-80F) water, then plant 1/2" down. Don't tamp down the soil. As I said, I used Promix Seed starter soil. I like it and recommend it.

Anyway, thanks for the dialog.

BudBaby · Nov 15, 2011

Rrog said:
I think the initial moisture level is a big deal and I lost a lot of seedlings in soil by either going too wet (damping off) or too dry. I asked around and read quite a bit and what I distilled down is to have the soil just hold a ball when you compress it. No water drains when you do this. If the soil drains really well when you water it, then I found a good soak will get you to that point. Give the soil a good watering and leave it alone. I do not cover directly like with Saran Wrap or a low dome. I found it was not necessary at all with a good draining damp soil. Part of my previous problems were with horseshit soil. Really excellent drainage is such a critical piece.

I just crack the seeds in warm (70-80F) water, then plant 1/2" down. Don't tamp down the soil. As I said, I used Promix Seed starter soil. I like it and recommend it.

Anyway, thanks for the dialog.

Thanks man, im using root riot organic cubes to start my seeds and my soil has got good drainage. It also has some organic growth stimulant in it so i think i may get away with water for the first week or so then ill up it to half feed.

As soon as the seeds cracks and is above the surface ill put them in the 15ltr airpots. Would yopu recommend watering the soil the night before and then putting the cube in the next day or as its got good drainage can i just add the cube to the pot and then water it?

Sorry for all the questions i just want to get this right. I cant wait to be smoking organic bud

Rrog · Nov 15, 2011

My goal is to have the seed open up while in soil. So I just crack the seeds overnight as I mentioned, then get them in the soil. I soak the soil and let it drain thoroughly, then put the seed in the soil.

resinousflowers · Nov 15, 2011

BudBaby said:
Thanks for the advice, i think ill start the seeds in the organic plugs in my propogator then put them in the 15ltr pots then, on 1/4 nutes. Less work sounds good to me

My airpots have arrived and my plant pot saucers, the pots are slightly to big for the saucers so instead of fitting in them they sort of rest on them but they will still do the job. I cant go for bigger ones as i have space issues. I could always turn them upside down i suppose and any extra water will drip into the grooves around the side.

I was going to ask you about feeding the plants. Do i slowly water them until water starts runing out of the bottom of the pots? I take it when it does start running out it means the soil is fully wet? Sorry for the basic questions i just want to get this right.

you wont need to give any nutes as your soil will have enough for atleast a few weeks of growth.

Rrog · Nov 15, 2011

That's a good point to keep in mind. The seed has its own on-board food supply for over a week, and doesn't need much right after that, either. We want to feed the babies, and that's natural but not best. I had 1 week old seedlings growing like crazy, and added a bit of EWC just because... That burned my little plants a bit. I overdid it ... again. Patience is a skill I'm still learning.

BudBaby · Nov 15, 2011

Ok thanks for the advice guys, shall i just keep the soil wet with plain water for the first couple of weeks? I cant wait to get started, as i say my hydro bud is fine but its just never ending work plus lots of chemicals!!

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