What are the best techniques used to get a huge root ball to descend down into the reservoir of an octopot? I have yet to get a huge root ball like my friend was able to achieve.
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dont fill the rez until it’s ready, you keep a topped off rez early and it stays too wet
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Yep, funnel water down the hole when you transplant, dont fully soak medium. Keep water at level 1 on the float till roots reach rez. Let rez completely empty before refilling rez. I use promix HP and I add perlite to the bottom 1/3 of the bag to help keep the bottom from staying too wet.
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Use just rooted clones or fem seed directly in the Octopot
Keep res levels low only to the 1 st marker .
Paps
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“Turbo Cup Method” for the Win!
-Grouchy
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Definitely use the turbo method but after that no top watering let the roots find the water
Also try not to feed till plants fined the reservoir
A spray bottle could be a big help
When transplanting clones you may want a dome
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That’s interesting, so you only add perlite to the bottom third. Maybe I’ll try that.
Yea, I’ve used octopots for three years now and have yet to get a huge massive root ball to descend down into the rez like what happened when I gave one of my friends a BG-41 clone. He didn’t even have perfect conditions in his bedroom however he got that one plant to produce twelve oz of top shelf. I was amazed when I saw the “big white mop head” I have yet to duplicate his results and the results I see others getting. I’ve already tried teasing the roots down with low water levels…and while it works, they eventually die back from pythium. I keep the nutrient solution areated, sealed and no light. I know i’m using the right genetics. I invested over $150 bucks for the promix/ roots organic / perlite ,etc but still not the same root ball development as my friend. I’m now experimenting with mychorazaie and rapid start root inoculent mix tea …IDK maybe this will be the trick. My rez temps are right about 72 deg . Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Yeah, the promix HP already has a good amount of perlite already. The lower third of the bag is really the only part of the bag that contains the bulk of the moisture.
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great point that may have been overlooked: octopots work way better with bags full of soil. the vertical space goves the roots more breathin room, literally! I’ve skimped out before and it still works great but way better with full bags.
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I use the Sunshine Mix #4 that Chris from Octopot recommends my first time using 6gal system and my lady’s r the biggest I have ever grown. Sunshine Mix #4 is real cheap at Lowes compared to pro mix 1/2 the price and double the amount of soil. Also octopot makes a 12gal bag that could be used for outdoor grows
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And why would you want a huge rootball?
In aero for exemple, once able to provide for a plant’s every needs, the absolute best rootball is of moderate size, short roots and plenty of very fine hairs.
In soil, one way to achieve a massive rootball, is to overload your soil with cheapo calcium. Roots will grow like mad in an attempt to escape the fire. Lol 
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Do u guys think that this homemade rig would work like an Octopot with a few modifications? I was thinking bout a sliding gauge through the PVC fill pipe with a float at the bottom.
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Veg the plant longer
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To get a big root ball in an Octopot, make sure your plant is well established before the roots hit the reservoir. Start with top watering for the first 7 to 10 days to encourage downward growth. Also, keep your water level just below the grow media so roots stretch down to reach it. Use beneficial microbes and avoid overwatering early on, it makes a big difference.
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Thank you very much! that makes a lot of sense. Your thoughts on Heisenberg tea for the beneficial microbes?
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Yeah it would, its a pretty common diy sip. Grobuckets are also a good option as it uses a insert inside the bucket to create the rez instead of stacked buckets, saves you some vertical space which in tents you can run out of quickly. . I have used both octos and grobuckets. Octos have the ability to outperform grobuckets if you veg for along time due to the extra room for media but if you are just wanting to do a standard both o
Perform closely.
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I’m following this with a high level of interest! Big Healthy roots means big healthy fruits right?
When I was actively growing using my beloved Octopots, I often wondered the same thing?
While my rootball was ok, it never matched the size of say any DWC grow I did where the rootball was always sizable.
I didn’t worry too much as the top part of the plant was always and I mean always huge with tasty buds!
But I’ll give this a try, keeping the res level low initially. I am guilty of consistently forgetting not to fill it up at the start of my beans journey. I always filled it up after direct sowed. Makes total sense by avoiding this it will drive the roots downward seeking water.
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I was thinkin bout maybe tryin 2 rig somethin similar 2 this up using the lid of 1 bucket trimmed 2 fit n2 the bottom of a grow bag like the thingie n the octopots. Then, n turn, cut a hole n it 2 hold the net pot. Not sure if the additional air pruning would make enuf of a difference. So just use 1 bucket with the modified grow bag inside of it.
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Use Mychorrizal and beneficial bacteria. These all work in conjunction with the roots to break down matter that the roots absorb. They actually form a bond with the roots and attach themselves then as they breakdown the soil matter it feeds to roots the nutrients. I use the following: Dynamico Mycorrizal and Down to Earth Bio-live, both have differences but really assist in root development.
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Thank you for this excellent information I’m hoping this is going to be the difference I’m looking for… I refuse to believe that I have to have a water chiller to achieve a massive root ball.
Your thoughts on combining great white mycorazai with a little rapid root starter?