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Airpots need more water. Does that mean I need more nutes? Biobizz light mix soil and bb nutes

Discussion in 'First Time Marijuana Growers' started by krizanova, Mar 22, 2022.

  1. #1 krizanova, Mar 22, 2022
    Hi guys. I would appreciate if you helped out a noob.
    I am just starting my first grow.
    I am a bit overwhelmed by the available information, but a simple google search usually answers my questions.

    There is 1 (for now) question I cannot find an answer to.

    Relevant specs for my question : 2 autofloer plants, Airpots (2 x 20liters), Biobizz light mix and biobizz nutes (grow, bloom, root juice, top max)

    I have no problem understanding a biobizz feeding schedule. Ive been going through other peoples diaries and learning.

    HOWEVER, airpots come in play here. From reading many anecdotal reports, you need MORE water if you use airpots compared to regular pots.

    So my question is this - If I will use more TOTAL (per growth cycle)water with airpots to keep my girls happy, should I also use more TOTAL (also per growth cycle) nutrients? (since feeding schedules go by x mililiters of nutes per liter of water)

    If yes, wont that oversaturate the plants with nutrients? (since I need to water more often due to airpots)

    If no, how should I calculate how much nutes I need?

    Any input is appreciated.
    Thanks!
     
  2. #2 GroBuddy, Mar 22, 2022
    You mix your nutrients to a certain ppm or use a certain amount per gallon. Using more water will just be using more water with nutrients in it. You're not going to add more nutrients than pot or water desire just because you'll be using more water

    All nutrients have directions on how much to use and when. You can also go buy pic ppm and ph pens are needed
     

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  3. #3 krizanova, Mar 22, 2022
    Thanks for replying, but I dint quite get you. English is also not my native language, so the simpler the better :)

    You said "Using more water will just be using more water with nutrients in it. You're not going to add more nutrients than pot or water desire just because you'll be using more water"

    1) I will have to use more water (compared to regular pots) because I have airpots, correct?
    2) That means I will have to use more nutes as well. (more TOTAL nutes, not ml/gallon)

    So someone who waters their plants say 2x week will use x amounts of nutes.
    If I water 4x (because airpots evaporate faster) week, I will have used 2x the nutes correct?

    Wont I overfeed the plant with nutes?
     
  4. #4 GroBuddy, Mar 22, 2022
    Yes just if using liquid nutrients rotate water feed. If plants are growing fast, you can feed, feed, water. If leaf tips burn stop feeding a week only giving water then resume. If leafs start turning pale check soil ph if soil ph is within a good range feed more nutrients
     
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  5. #5 krizanova, Mar 22, 2022
    Thanks, I think I got it.

    Basically, I have to "pretend" I grow in a similat sized normal container, when it comes to calculating nutes?
    Thus over the whole growth cycle a 5 gallon airpot would need the same amont of nutes as a 5 galln regular pot (all other things being equal)

    Is there a difference between:

    feed, water,feed, water
    and
    all are feeds, just 50% less nute concetration.
     
  6. #6 GroBuddy, Mar 22, 2022
    I haven't grown in air pots so I can't comment on the amount of water used. I would think it takes the same amount as a regular pot just having all the holes allowing for air moment dries the air pot sooner than a normal pot. A normal pot may get watered once a week the air pot every 3 days for example. You'll probably have to water slow to keep water from pouring out.

    As for the amount of nutrients I never calculated how much per serving I used. I fed off of ppm readings. Just start with a quarter strength and go off plants response. Or half strength and do the same watch plants response
     
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  7. #7 krizanova, Mar 22, 2022
    Thanks for investing your time and replying to my questions.

    I will definitely buy an ec meter, and try to learn how to recognize different deficiencies by visual = that should make me less cnfused when the actual watering starts.
     
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  8. #8 Saint Duck, Mar 23, 2022
    I use airpots. my 5th grow is 1/2 way through flower. Great results. I generally water every 3 days. Airpots or bags will need water when they need it. I feed 2 out of 3 once in flower. I haven't had any over fertilization problems. You do need to pour slower than in bags or it just pools and pours out the holes, and not soak like it should.
    As far as adjusting fertilizer levels, I wouldn't adjust anything based on the pot vs bag. I start with about 1/2 recommended dose and work up.
     
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  9. #9 squirksa, Mar 23, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2022
    Airpots are fairly easy to check. When the bottom meter gets in the red, I water to the first drop of runoff. In my grow environment with these 5 gal/19L. pots and my lite, fluffy, well draining medium, that takes around 3.5L . It's virtually the same volume when I use my 5gal fabric bags. As far as nutrients, I mix a dry granular fertilizer in my medium and water only until week five when I use bloom nutes at 1oz/gal., per directions. This works for me.

    Auto Mandarin Haze 35 hrs. from sprout.
     

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  10. #10 krizanova, Mar 23, 2022
    Thanks guys for helping me reach a peace if mind, I am so stressed, since this will be my first grow :D

    I didnt expect receiving any replies to such a specific question, but now I know the answer to my question.
    Also will buy an EC meter.

    Great community, maybe some day Ill be able to help someone with advice from my own experience :)
     
  11. #11 krizanova, Mar 23, 2022
    Just out of curiosity (because you answered my main question) - what do you mean by "When the bottom meter gets in the red"? Is that an ec meter.

    And by "runoff" you mean the usual 10-20% runoff form the toal amount of water you poured in, right? So, if you poured in 2 liters - 200-400 ml runoff would be good, yes?
     
  12. #12 420JoeBlow, Mar 23, 2022
    Theres a lot more factors to it than just being an air pot. I would feed as recommended by the fertilizer company. If they look hungry, feed more. If they look healthy, keep it the same. If they look over fed, feed less.
     
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  13. #13 squirksa, Mar 24, 2022
    Those are simple moisture meters sticking out of the airpot. I use them to double check soil moisture content at different levels.
    When the meter in the bottom one third of the pot gets into the dry section, I add water. I water very slowly in a circular fashion radiating out from the middle to the edge and back to the middle, repeating until I get the first drops of runoff then stop. I don't go to 10-20%. I use a 454ml squeeze bottle and take my time.
     

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  14. #14 krizanova, Mar 24, 2022
    Thanks for explaining.

    Hadnt yet seen someone use moisture meters like that - seems like a good idea.
    It is interesting how differently people appoach even such a simple thing as watering. I am assuming you arent getting 10-20 % runoff because you are watering slowly and the the soil manages to soak up the water. Maybe you are also using a bit less water than others? As long as the plants are happy... that is the most important aspect

    You look like the guy who gets 1g per watt :D
     
  15. #15 krizanova, Mar 24, 2022
    By the way -what kind of humidity sensors are those? I can find only ordinary humidity displays, not like yours, that can be "stufffed" inside a pot.

    Thanks

    P.S. Never mind - found them
     

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