SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
growing media
NOTE *Only plant seeds, cuttings or very young clones in Octopot Grow Systems. Octopots facilitate plant root development. Transplanting mature plants with established root systems is not recommended.
SOIL
Always follow the 60/40 Rule! Specifically, use 60% high quality soilless mix with 40% perlite in Octopot Grow Systems. Perlite should be mixed throughout the growing media. Never create layers of perlite inside the Gro Sleeve®.
Sunshine® Mix #4 is a professional blend that has the correct ratio of soilless mix and perlite for Octopot Grow Systems. Premier Horticulture (HP) soil needs additional perlite. Add approximately one gallon of perlite to 5 gallons of HP soil and mix well before planting.
COCO COIR OPTION
Always follow the 60/40 Rule! Specifically, use 60% Coco Coir with 40% perlite in Octopot Grow Systems. FoxFarm Coco Loco is a professional blend that has the correct ratio of coco coir and perlite.
Blending coco coir with soilless mixes is another good option, just remember to include 40% perlite in the mix. Perlite should be mixed throughout the growing media. Never create layers of perlite inside the Gro Sleeve®.
GROWING MEDIA TO AVOID
DO NOT USE HYDROTON, CLAY PEBBLES OR ROCK WOOL. Octopot Grow Systems require a high quality well-aerated growing media that promotes high air capacity. Using the wrong growing media with Octopot Grow Systems will prevent them from functioning resulting in plant damage.
SUPER SOILS - Super soils can be too heavy and hold too much moisture, limiting air exchange which damages plants causing root rot. Also, nutrients in super soils tend to be used up too early and run out too soon in the growth cycle which starves plants. Super soil may work with Octopots if it has the correct ratio of perlite (40%) and controlled release nutrients.
SOIL
Always follow the 60/40 Rule! Specifically, use 60% high quality soilless mix with 40% perlite in Octopot Grow Systems. Perlite should be mixed throughout the growing media. Never create layers of perlite inside the Gro Sleeve®.
Sunshine® Mix #4 is a professional blend that has the correct ratio of soilless mix and perlite for Octopot Grow Systems. Premier Horticulture (HP) soil needs additional perlite. Add approximately one gallon of perlite to 5 gallons of HP soil and mix well before planting.
COCO COIR OPTION
Always follow the 60/40 Rule! Specifically, use 60% Coco Coir with 40% perlite in Octopot Grow Systems. FoxFarm Coco Loco is a professional blend that has the correct ratio of coco coir and perlite.
Blending coco coir with soilless mixes is another good option, just remember to include 40% perlite in the mix. Perlite should be mixed throughout the growing media. Never create layers of perlite inside the Gro Sleeve®.
GROWING MEDIA TO AVOID
DO NOT USE HYDROTON, CLAY PEBBLES OR ROCK WOOL. Octopot Grow Systems require a high quality well-aerated growing media that promotes high air capacity. Using the wrong growing media with Octopot Grow Systems will prevent them from functioning resulting in plant damage.
SUPER SOILS - Super soils can be too heavy and hold too much moisture, limiting air exchange which damages plants causing root rot. Also, nutrients in super soils tend to be used up too early and run out too soon in the growth cycle which starves plants. Super soil may work with Octopots if it has the correct ratio of perlite (40%) and controlled release nutrients.
FERTILIZER - NUTRIENTS
Add water soluble organic or conventional fertilizers and nutrients directly to the water in the Hydro Reservoir. Adding fertilizer at the time of planting can be delayed if your growing media is already infused with fertilizer. WARNING: You may need to reduce fertilizer/nutrient amounts by 50% or more to avoid root burn. Why? Because Octopot Grow Systems are closed systems that never waste fertilizer and nutrients from washout or run off. The rule for Octopots is: LESS IS MORE.
OPTIMUM PPM RANGE
EC and TDS water meters fit into the opening of the Hydro Reservoir making it simple to measure and control plant feeding schedules. Maintain nutrient levels at general range of 600 – 800 ppm (parts per million). For heavier feeding plants during maximum uptake, the range can increase to 1100 – 1200 ppm.
OPTIMUM PPM RANGE
EC and TDS water meters fit into the opening of the Hydro Reservoir making it simple to measure and control plant feeding schedules. Maintain nutrient levels at general range of 600 – 800 ppm (parts per million). For heavier feeding plants during maximum uptake, the range can increase to 1100 – 1200 ppm.
air stones not recommended
Octopot Grow Systems are designed to oxygenate plants without air stones. Octopots do not function like hydroponic systems that depend on air stones. Adding air stones to Octopot Grow Systems can negatively affect the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water causing pH swings. Balanced pH is essential because it affects the availability of nutrients to plant roots. The optimal pH range for Octopot Grow Systems is between 6.3 - 6.7.
Bending the Rules for Organic Teas
Suspending heavy Organic Teas in the Hydro Reservoir may require the addition of an air stone to keep nutrients well mixed. Octopot Grow Systems are bottom feed systems and over the top watering is not recommended however organic nutrients can be washed into the soil approximately once a week. To mitigate pH swings, run air stones on a timer for 15 minutes per hour.
Flushing
- Individual Octopot Grow Systems: To flush a plant at the end of the growing season, simply stop adding fertilizer/nutrients to the Hydro Reservoir for the last 7 to 10 days and add fresh water instead.
- Auto Fill Octopot Grow Systems: When using the Auto Fill Systems simply shut off the water source and open the line drain to empty the system.
THERE IS NO REASON TO DRAIN OCTOPOT GROW SYSTEMS
DURING THE GROWING CYCLE
UNLESS YOU HAVE OVER-FERTILIZED YOUR PLANT
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO RECOVER FROM OVER-FERTILIZATION:
If you notice that you have over-fertilized simply empty the Hydro Reservoir with a small pump or siphon. Remove any dead roots inside the water. In drastic cases, it is necessary to flush the soil and remove the leachate. Refill the Hydro Reservoir with fresh water and continue growing.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO RECOVER FROM DEHYDRATION:
If you let the Hydro Reservoir go dry for an extened period, you can kill the hydrponic root system. Typically, the terrestrial roots inside the Gro Sleeve will stay alive for days after the loss of the hydroponic root system keeping your crop safe. Remove the dead roots in the Hydro Reservoir, refill with fresh water and continue growing.
If you notice that you have over-fertilized simply empty the Hydro Reservoir with a small pump or siphon. Remove any dead roots inside the water. In drastic cases, it is necessary to flush the soil and remove the leachate. Refill the Hydro Reservoir with fresh water and continue growing.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO RECOVER FROM DEHYDRATION:
If you let the Hydro Reservoir go dry for an extened period, you can kill the hydrponic root system. Typically, the terrestrial roots inside the Gro Sleeve will stay alive for days after the loss of the hydroponic root system keeping your crop safe. Remove the dead roots in the Hydro Reservoir, refill with fresh water and continue growing.
Water and ph
Octopot Grow Systems automatically water plants on demand up to 10+ days depending on the size and stage of the plant. Simply fill the Hydro Reservoir when alerted by the Depth Gauge. The optimal pH range for Octopot Grow Systems is between 6.3 - 6.7.
WARNING: DO NOT WATER PLANTS OVER THE TOP OF THE SOIL BECAUSE IT WILL PREVENT PLANT ROOTS FROM FORMING INSIDE OF THE HYDRO RESERVOIR AND INHIBIT PLANT GROWTH. Plants sense water down in the Hydro Reservoir and grow roots in that direction.
See www.Octopot.com/how-octopots-work for information about Hydrotropism.
GROWING OUTDOORS - Rain water will escape the system so plants are never over watered. Excessive rain water during early stages of plant growth may prevent root growth inside the Hydro Reservoir.
WARNING: DO NOT WATER PLANTS OVER THE TOP OF THE SOIL BECAUSE IT WILL PREVENT PLANT ROOTS FROM FORMING INSIDE OF THE HYDRO RESERVOIR AND INHIBIT PLANT GROWTH. Plants sense water down in the Hydro Reservoir and grow roots in that direction.
See www.Octopot.com/how-octopots-work for information about Hydrotropism.
GROWING OUTDOORS - Rain water will escape the system so plants are never over watered. Excessive rain water during early stages of plant growth may prevent root growth inside the Hydro Reservoir.
CHOOSE A WATERING METHOD
SET IT AND FORGET IT METHOD
HIGH PERFORMANCE METHOD
Grow Phase:
SET IT AND FORGET IT METHOD
- Fill The Hydro Reservoir At The Time Of Planting
- Refill Anytime
- Maintain A Water Level No Less Than Level One
HIGH PERFORMANCE METHOD
Grow Phase:
- Maintain Level One or Double Buoy - Root Migration into the Hydro Reservoir (Approx. 2 Weeks)
- Maintain Level Two or Single Buoy - Aids in Root Establishment and Advancement (Approx. 2-3 Weeks)
- Maintain Level Three or No Buoy - Maximizes Plant Growth (Approx. 4-6 Weeks)
- Maintain Level Two or Single Buoy - Plant Growth begins to Slow Down (Approx. 2-3 Weeks)
- Maintain Level One or Double Buoy - Plant Growth Preparing for Harvest (Approx. 1-2 Weeks)
Planting instructions
- Assemble your Octopot Grow System according to instructions.
- Review System Requirements before choosing growing media and watering method.
- Fold down the Gro Sleeve® no more than 2 inches at the top.
- Moisten the growing media by adding some water to the bag before filling the Gro Sleeve®.
- Be sure that your growing media has 40% perlite mixed well throughout – never create layers of perlite and growing media.
- FIRMLY press moistened growing media into the Hydro Wick® before filling the Gro Sleeve®.
- Pull Gro Sleeve® gently upwards while FIRMLY PACKING growing media – firmly packed Gro Sleeves should not slouch during the growth cycle.
- Alternative Filling Method:
- Cut the bottom out of a standard five gallon bucket.
- Place Hydro Wick® inside of Gro Sleeve® with cup down, it should fit tight in the tapered end.
- Set Gro Sleeve® with Hydro Wick® into the Hydro Reservoir.
- Lock Hydro Wick® into the Hydro Reservoir on the peg provided.
- Place the bucket upside down over the Gro Sleeve.
- Fold Gro Sleeve® edge over the bucket
- The support of the bucket makes packing the growing media FIRMLY into the Gro Sleeve® easier.
- Simply remove the bucket by pulling it upward after filling the Gro Sleeve®.
- Fold the top of the Gro Sleeve® down no more than two inches.
- Insert seed or clone into the growing media of the Gro Sleeve® – only one plant per grow system. Follow the directions for Octo-Dome® Cloner for plant cuttings. Transplanting mature plants with established root systems is not recommended.
- Water over the top of the growing media just once approximately one quart to half a gallon. Watering over the top at the time of planting settles the soil, removes air pockets and triggers capillary action.
- Young plants and seeds are well fed in the Octopot Grow System while they develop the secondary root system inside of the Hydro Reservoir. It is normal for the top layer of growing media to feel dry.
- WARNING-Do not water over the top of the soil after initial planting. Plants sense water in the Hydro Reservoir and grow roots in that direction.
- Choose a watering method then add water to the Hydro Reservoir according to your preferred watering method.
- Add fertilizer to the water inside the Hydro Reservoir. Note: Adding fertilizer at the time of planting can be delayed if your growing media is already infused with fertilizer.
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