New to Air pots

[Vexor1717]

Are there any tricks to these? Do you have to water more due to the holes? Do you have to pack in the dirt more than normal? Any pointers appreciated.

 

[uphere]

I just picked up two myself. Some insight would have been great. Maybe someone will chime in later? I believe they dry out much quicker so be ready to water daily. Maybe every other depending on medium. Wish I could offer more info Vexor. Good luck on your grow.

 

[AnimalHouse]

There's some nuances to using them yes.
I've been using them since they were invented and wont use anything else to veg my plants. I do pack soil into them rather firm by making a fist and pushing down hard.
Run the bottom screen at 3 rows up or for more soil volume go 2 rows up from the bottom. Remember the screen having an air space below it is just as important as the holes in the side. You want air wrapped around them for best results so the higher up the screen the better

They do go dry faster than most other containers and the roots & soil will compact. So you need to water slowly and thoroughly but you can also dunk the airpot into a bucket of water for a really good soaking of the root ball. Simply hold the pot under water at the soil surface line and wait for the air bubbles to stop. Pull it up and let it drain and your plant will be very well watered. This only works great for smaller pot and plants that can be moved and lifted easily though otherwise a slow and steady watering is choice. Drip systems also go great with airpots

 

[uphere]

Thanks AnimalHouse. Appreciate the info. I'm off to reset my pot bottom up a bump or two. I hedged when I put them together.

 

[Vexor1717]

There's some nuances to using them yes.
I've been using them since they were invented and wont use anything else to veg my plants. I do pack soil into them rather firm by making a fist and pushing down hard.
Run the bottom screen at 3 rows up or for more soil volume go 2 rows up from the bottom. Remember the screen having an air space below it is just as important as the holes in the side. You want air wrapped around them for best results so the higher up the screen the better

They do go dry faster than most other containers and the roots & soil will compact. So you need to water slowly and thoroughly but you can also dunk the airpot into a bucket of water for a really good soaking of the root ball. Simply hold the pot under water at the soil surface line and wait for the air bubbles to stop. Pull it up and let it drain and your plant will be very well watered. This only works great for smaller pot and plants that can be moved and lifted easily though otherwise a slow and steady watering is choice. Drip systems also go great with airpots

Very awesome. Thanks. I never would have thought of submerging them. So I don't want the bottom screen on bottom? I want it up 2? I had it set on bottom. The point of setting it up higher is for more air flow? Thanks again!

 

[quirk]

Very awesome. Thanks. I never would have thought of submerging them. So I don't want the bottom screen on bottom? I want it up 2? I had it set on bottom. The point of setting it up higher is for more air flow? Thanks again!

You can elevate your pots for air flow in order to not reduce medium volume by raising screen, should you wish.

 

[AnimalHouse]

Very awesome. Thanks. I never would have thought of submerging them. So I don't want the bottom screen on bottom? I want it up 2? I had it set on bottom. The point of setting it up higher is for more air flow? Thanks again!

Yep. I run red screens at two and orange screens at three

 

[simonkay]

Hi i know im Late to the conversation but im gonna order some airpots & wondering, does bottom feeding work well with them?
Heard top feeding is problematic with run offs maybe just putting some nutes in the drip tray is more efficient?
Tia

 

[AnimalHouse]

Hi i know im Late to the conversation but im gonna order some airpots & wondering, does bottom feeding work well with them?
Heard top feeding is problematic with run offs maybe just putting some nutes in the drip tray is more efficient?
Tia

The base sits up kinda high for that so if you did it the nutes in the tray below would need to be about 3" deep to be effective and then your adding humidity to the operation as well.
You can use dry nutes mixed in the soil which works extremely well.
You can also rake the soil surface before watering to break up it's compaction. That will redirect water/nutes to drain downward instead of pouring out the top couple rows of side holes in the pots.
Or just dunk the whole thing in a bucket like I described above.
It can be a little tricky to start but eventually you'll find what works best for you

 

[simonkay]

Thanks for the advice, when you say you dunk to "soil surface line" are we are talking the top of the pot or where the base starts

 

[AnimalHouse]

Thanks for the advice, when you say you dunk to "soil surface line" are we are talking the top of the pot or where the base starts

Top of the pot, like the whole thing under water until it stops bubbling air then pull it up.
What size pots you considering?

 

[simonkay]

5 gallons about 6-8 under 2x240w LEDs hopefully run a diary on it soon