The Growroom Returns – The Tobacco Plant Meets Autopot [Part 2]

After a couple of weeks in the 0.7L pots, our tobacco cuttings are now ready to move on to the next stage. The roots have thrived, growing vigorously, and are now ready to move into larger pots.

How did we know the plants were ready?

Firstly and simply, we turned the pot over, looked through the holes, and could see roots! Secondly, as the roots fill the pot, the soil becomes more compact as the roots hold the soil together. By squeezing the pot slightly you will see a gap appear around the edge. You can also turn the pot over, give it a tap and the plant (with soil) should come easily out of the pot.

Autopot is a unique growing system, the only watering system in the world where each plant controls its own irrigation through the AQUAvalve technology. A system that doesn’t use electricity, pumps, timers or mains water; perfect for both large commercial greenhouses and small domestic hobby growers. A modular system in which extra pots may be added, and can be easily spaced apart as the plants grow, all linked to one reservoir.

For the purpose of demonstration within our fully working growroom, we have set up an Autopot with the different options of pot size and pot type to help our customers make the right choice for them. We have the 15L square pot (also comes in a smaller 8.5L version as well), the XL 25L pot (square at the top, but tapers into a round bottom), and for lovers of the fabric pots, the 18.9L smart pot.

We start by placing a copper disc or square into the bottom of the plastic pots – this stops any run-off soil or the roots spilling out and affecting the AQUAvalve. For the smart pot option, the pot is placed inside the Autopot pot sock, again for the same purpose as the copper disc.

We then added a small layer of Canna Clay Pebbles (advisable at the bottom of any pot), this aids with drainage, filled with Canna Coco professional plus (we used an inert media so that we could control all the nutrients given to the plant).

A hole was made for the plant and Great White powder was sprinkled directly onto the Coco (alternatively Plant Magic granules can be used) both are great mycorrhizal products to protect against root disease whilst aiding in maximising water and nutrient uptake.

The roots were gently teased from around the edges (when in a pot, the roots may become ‘rootbound’) and need encouraging when repotting to spread again, and the plants then put in the holes. Push down the plant to ensure there are no air gaps between the new coco and the existing root ball.

The pots are then placed in their respective Autopot tray. Each tray houses an AQUAvalve, each tray connected to the reservoir. The AQUAvalve controls the flow of water to the plant, from the reservoir using simple gravity pressure. Each AQUAvalve will open and allow water to fill the tray to a pre-set level of 20mm. The valve will not refill the tray until all the water has been used, ensuring that the plants are not just sat in water.

To feed, we mixed up a nutrient solution of Terra Aquatica Dual Part Coco in our reservoir and allowed the plants to take the nutrient solution at the rates they need themselves, regulated via the AQUAvalve.

Check back next week to see how our Tobacco has done in the AutoPots.

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