Page 10 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2024/25

AutoPots
Some of our Scottish Branch members have been lucky to have won various AutoPot systems from the generous donations from Jason Ralph-Smith, CEO of AutoPot Watering Systems, so we
felt it very important to share on how people have done in their first year. Allan Findlay, Dugald McDougal, Jim Brown and Ian Simpson each received a system and have provided an insight into how they did, plus Lesley Stone from the Welsh Branch has kindly provided some feedback, hints and tips from her second year of using AutoPots.
Allan Findlay won the new “Tray2Grow” system
Allan advises that because of having the Tray2Grow system, he has had a very successful season of raising lots of plants from seeds and cuttings of both veg and flowers for planting out. Allan reflects that he was very lucky to get the opportunity
to win this prize, but highlighted the only mistake he made, being a true Aberdonian, was his choice of a cheap plastic box as
a reservoir (his words, not mine). Allan advises that the system was very easy
to set up and that it works very well
and keeps plants fed and watered in a consistent way, more than he ever could do before, and once in the tray he had 100% success in rearing healthy plants. Allan advises that he fully intends replacing his “cheap plastic box” by purchasing one from AutoPot and he also intends to buy
a second tray, such was his success. Allan says, “I’ll be ready for next year”.
Dugald McDougal won the x4
pot 8.5L AuoPot system
Dugald was growing some cauliflowers in his AutoPot system but because of where he had them situated, they become a bit leggy. Dugald is happy with his AutoPot system and advised that he does think the system is good and will definitely be using it in future.
Ian Simpson won the x4 pot
15L AutoPot system
Ian set up his system to grow cucumbers and reported that setting up the system was easy and he found that his 4 plants grew well. Ian had put perlite in the base of the pots and then coco. He kept an eye on the water reservoir to keep it topped up and this really helped when travelling away for a few long weekends throughout September as it meant he didn’t need to worry about the plants drying out. (Ian
just added Chempak No. 2, high nitrogen feed, to the reservoir, exactly the same as he would for his usual growing methods). The result was 4 healthy plants with plenty
Ian's Cucumbers grown in the AutoPot system
10 Simply Vegetables
Ian's early Autopot set-up
of tasty cucumbers. Ian advises that he will definitely continue to use this system, but will need to improve on how he trains the plants so that the cucumber all grow straight and free of marks.
Jim Brown won the x4 pot
XL, 25L AutoPot System
Jim reported that setting up his AutoPot system was no problem as long as the containers were level. ( you can get problems with flow of feed if uneven) Jim
advised that it has taken him 40years to perfect his system of growing tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouse, albeit, he admits, by not paying much attention
to what’s on the labels and is optimistic about his feeding regimes, but after taking stock of his mistakes through the years and taking and listening to sound advice from expert growers he feels he can now put up an exhibit worthy of a first prize.
So Jim did a comparison of his usual growing methods using x4 25Ltr containers