So a bit of an update. Been trying to keep my watering to daily but the drainage is such a ballache with saucers. Espesh with 9L pots and 20-30% runoff. It’s taking a litre to force water out but even that will overflow the saucer. Looking at building a DIY Rhizosystem but that’s another thing.
So; I wouldnt say my issues are solved, and being away for work last week didn’t help my cycle one bit - but they’re deffo responding better now. Stems need to thicken up but fans can now do more good as plants are feeding.
I got myself a bluelab truncheon to keep tabs. Dislike my water being 300ppm before I’ve touched it :\
I wanna give these a feed/flush alternation now I think. 45ml a+b per 20l is where I’m now at. maybe for another week?
I think you've pretty much got it sorted. How do you feel about those airpots?
My fear with aeration containers is that the water finds channels and flows free before having a chance to fully saturate the substrate.
AirPots are decent. They simulate double the root space without needing it. Eg, 9L AutoPrune is similar to being in an 18L pot just due to how the root system stays in a constant state of growth owing the the root ends continually dying off once they hit air. Avoids knotting, binding and strangulation of roots. The downside is you have to water slowly when the medium is “dry”. Once it’s wet it soaks like soil. This is a good indicator you’re not watering enough... if it pools on top - it’s no where near saturated.
I do a litre at a time in two parts to allow soaking, otherwise as you say; it runs straight out and down the sides.