AutoPot easy2grow Complete System - 80 Pot

Includes new AQUAvalve 5 and 3/8" tubing and fittings to deliver the widest range of nutrients in a faster flow for a quicker fill, maximizing system efficiency, and reducing maintenance and the risk of blockages.

Click Here To View AutoPot easy2grow 80 Pot Instructions

We love this system! That's why we've continued to offer it since the year 2000. Here are just some of the reasons why:

• No electricity required - perfect for a patio, driveway, grow tent, greenhouse or just about anywhere else you can think of
• Easily expanded from one to literally as many plants as you want
• Each tray is watered according to its own individual needs
• Space the plants out however you want - right next to each other or 10 feet away - it's up to you
• Absolutely zero water waste - simply fill reservoir and refill again when empty
• No reservoir changes necessary
• No flushing necessary

The easy2grow system is AutoPot’s best-selling watering system, it offers maintenance free growing for the greenhouse, polytunnel, garden or home without wasting a single drop of water.

easy2grow harnesses the AQUAvalve to water and feed your plants using 2.2 or 3.9 gallon pots without the need for pumps, timers and electricity. It provides a fully automatic supply of water and nutrients, with a built in wet/dry cycle to mimic natural systems.

Because each easy2grow tray contains its own AQUAvalve, that means each pair of plants gets watered according to its their needs. So if one tray or variety is outperforming another and needs more frequent irrigation - no problem - this will happen automatically, and without the need of electricity or a timer.

Whether using a single easy2grow or multiple easy2grow extensions on a vast commercial scale this system provides everything the plant requires. Easy2grow can be used with the medium/substrate of your choice.

The standard size pot used for the easy2grow system is 2.2 gallons, if you require something a little larger to suit your growing needs you can increase your pot size to 3.9 gallons.

The easy2grow can be used to grow a wide variety of crops and is ideally suited to either short, bushy varieties like herbs or strawberries, or tall growing vine plants, where multiple kits can be placed end on end in a garden, greenhouse or poly- tunnel.

A wide range of growing substrates can be used with the easy2grow system, either traditionally with soil or hydroponically. Low maintenance, reliable and automated; the easy2grow system allows gardeners to relax, go away on holiday and still be sure of healthy plants and bumper harvests.

The easy2grow System is easily extended so many pots can be linked to a single reservoir. The pots & trays can be easily moved at will, and if the plants grow too large they can be spaced further apart with ease. Once setup and the reservoir is filled with water & nutrients this extremely versatile system will completely take care of all your plants needs.

This system comes complete with:

• (40) easy2gro Tray and Lid
• (80) 2.2 or 3.9 gal pots
• (40) Accessory Pack - includes (1) AQUAvalve 5, 3.3' of 3/8" tubing, (2) Root Control Squares, (2) PotSock Squares, (1) 3/8" tee, (1) 1/2"-3/8" tee and (1) full instructions
• (3) 1/2” tee connector
• (20) 1/2"-3/8 Cross Connector
• (4) 1/2" Inline Valve
• (75) feet of 1/2" tubing

Building Your AutoPot System:

Step #1 - Choose your growing medium

Although we highly recommend a 50/50 mix of coco/perlite (which you can purchase pre-mixed or individually) you can also use a mix of soil/clay pebbles (e.g. Hydroton), coco/clay pebbles or rockwool Grocubes. It is also advisable to add a thin layer of perlite at the bottom of each pot before adding your 50/50 mix of choice. Or better yet, use an AirBase in place of the perlite (see below).

*One 50 liter bag of growing medium will fill approximately 6x 2.2 gal pots or 3-4x 3.9 gal pots.
*One 1 cubic foot bag of perlite will cover the bottom inch of approx. 12x 2.2 or 3.9 gal pots.

Step #2 - Choose your pot size/color

Choose from either 2.2 gal or 3.9 gal, depending on the size of the plant you will be growing. Choose the smaller pot for smaller plants such as lettuce and most herbs. Choose the larger pot for larger plants such as squash, tomatoes, etc.

Choosing a white pot helps to protect your plant’s root system from high or fluctuating temperatures. The white color reflects extremes of heat away from the root system. By shielding the roots in this way white pots help prevent the adverse effects of hot or varying temperatures on a plants growth management. Growing in white pots is a simple and effective way to maintain constant temperatures for your roots allowing your plants to steadily thrive. Specially designed for use in hot environments. Can help reduce substrate temperatures by 5-10%.

Step #3 - Choose your reservoir

AutoPot offers a great solution - the FlexiTank - which is available in a number of different sizes to accommodate just about any sized AutoPot system. It comes with a 1/2" shut-off valve and a Click Fit adapter that attaches directly onto the AutoPot standard or Pro Filter. The Pro version features a reflective, light-tight skin makes the FlexiTank Pro the perfect solution in bright, high temperature situations. Further enhancements come in the shape of internal capacity markings and an ultra-strong, anti-tip, fully collapsible design.

But you can also use just about any plastic container that will hold the desired amount of water. We've used things like a 5 gallon bucket for small systems, or a Rubbermaid Brute trash can for medium-sized systems. If using your own reservoir you will just need to drill a hole in the side of the tank and install a 1/2" bulkhead adapter (which we stock) to accommodate the 1/2" main line tubing that will be feeding each of your easy2grow trays.

Step #4 - Optional - choose your filter

BGH highly recommends using a filter to prevent anything from getting in and clogging the system. The ProFilter has a larger, drum-shaped filter area and a higher micron element for added protection against blockages. Its larger size makes dismantling and cleaning simple. Both filters include click fittings to allow easy connection to standard 1/2" tubing connections and the FlexiTank tap.

Step #5 - Optional - choose your accessories

The AirDome Kit is a great way to increase growth rate and size. Attach the AirDome to an air pump using 3/16" ID tubing and watch your plants' root system take off with explosive growth due to the added oxygen. 

Ditch the perlite and give your plants a lift with AirBase. This handy plate fits into the bottom of your pot and allows you to sidestep the use of a pebblelayer for drainage. A beautifully simple and effective innovation, AirBase is fabricated from tough ABS plastic making it highly durable and thus extensively reusable.

AirBase features a pop-out centre-section allowing for easy, optional AirDome integration. The AirDome sits beneath the AirBase and pumps oxygen into your root zone via bubble pipe. This aeration helps roots expand more quickly and stimulates the development of a highly absorptive root structure for improved nutrient uptake. The aeration also helps to maintain the condition of your substrate, for a healthy, productive, disease-free root zone.

Step #6 - Expand your growing system

Add additional plant sites to your system anytime in the future by simply adding additional 1Pot Extension Kits (and growing medium, if necessary). Or mix & match with 1Pot XL, GeoPot, or easy2grow Extension Kits.

Tips:

It's best to use clean fertilizers with this system, meaning those that are mineral based. Nutrient formulas with a lot of organic components will cause biofilm to develop on the AQUAvalve, the inside of the tubing, tray and reservoir. This can eventually cause your system to clog up and fail, or at the very least it will require you to clean the system on a regular basis and create unnecessary work for you.

If you want to incorporate organic components into your feeding schedule it's no problem - we do this all the time. Here's how. Simply add these to the root system by pouring them right over the top of the growing media once per week (diluted at the proper ratio, of course - not full strength!). A cup or so of organic nutrient solution should be fine; you only need a little bit of that organic goodness to innoculate the root system, and you don't want to apply so much that it ends up leaking into the tray as that would defeat the whole purpose of what you're trying to accomplish.

When transplanting always put a 1-1.5" layer of perlite (preferred) or Hydroton at the bottom of each pot, before you add your growing medium of choice. Or, simply use an AirBase in place of the perlite or Hydroton!

Water by hand, and only when necessary, for the first 10-14 days before switching on your system. This will allow the root system to become established and will get the plants off to a quicker start.

Do not let the reservoir empty completely before refilling. It's always best to top it up when there is still some solution left.

BGH is here to help. If you have any questions or need help putting together your dream AutoPot system - just ask us! 

Here are a few videos to get you started...