Page 11 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2024/25

(filling the bottom level with manure and topped up with a good Levington compost mixture) versus x4 25Ltr AutoPots and
Jim went all out buying 2 bags of canna coco plus one bag grit and pebbles, 1bag of perlite and liquid Canna A@B feeding mixture.
Jim was interested in learning this new method of growing in AutoPots, which he felt took him back to square one with learning all about the different feeds and their percentages.
After filling water tank with prescribed mixture the system was ready to go he planted all his plants at the same time ( 2 Maisey tomato plants, 1 gardeners delight tomato plant and 1 cucumber plant in each system).
Jim felt the AutoPot system seemed a bit slower in growth and the plants looked a bit lacking to start with, but as time went on trusses formed and he got some nice tomatoes. He also noted that Tomatoes seemed to take longer to ripen in the AutoPots, but the cucumbers were much more prolific and faster than his normal methods and also the foliage on them was much better too.
Later throughout the season, Jim noticed that his Tomatoes in the AutoPots , were slowing down a bit and so he gave them
a boost with Tomorite and they seemed to improve slightly.
After another few weeks the AutoPot
plants foliage started yellowing and the tomatoes although well-formed and a good size and colour, started to have a yellow cap underneath the colour which ruined them for showing but I never had the same problem with the compost ones. To address the yellowing, Jim thought that he should have given the plants some magnesium but didn’t want to upset the Watering system so left them unchanged.
Jim says “I realise this is a new system and is full of do’s and don’ts and will take me a bit of mastering, however Jim feels the potential is there and
thinks if he can perfect the
feeds and boosters that he
tried, it would be great, plus
he thought it was a great
time saver and it saved
him getting caught out on
scorching hot days, so no
drooping plants.
Allan's AutoPot Tray2Grow system
with Kelsae onions. Red cards at the local show has encouraged them to definitely grow onions again next season using the AutoPot system.
As a growing medium in her AutoPots, Lesley used a peat free multi-purpose compost, with the addition of EX4
from Elixir. She used comfrey tea in the reservoir(s), but found it did block the filters a lot, hence the need for her to check on
a regular basis. Lesley said that she may change to liquid seaweed for 2025
Lesley has kindly provided some tips for fellow AutoPot growers.
Jim plans to continue to
use his AutoPots and is
sure with learning more,
hopefully having better
weather and with him taking on more sound advice.
Lesley and Derek Stone were fortunate to have been offered the chance to acquire her AutoPot set up when another NVS member was moving house and downsizing her growing, and they were kindly offered first refusal on purchasing the system, along with much advice.
20 of the large pots (about 9 litres) complete with trays and valves plus 12 pairs of the smaller pots (about 4 or 5 litre) with trays and valves.
In their first year Lesley and Derek grew peppers and aubergines, with
great success and so with their added enthusiasm, in 2024, they have again grown the peppers and aubergines along
It was a great time saver and it saved him getting caught out on scorching hot days
All trays need to be level (use a spirit level to check, it’s worth it).
Make sure all the floats are set up properly and all working.
Check for blockages
in the pipe work. You sometimes need to simply flush them out if you
have used a feed that has clogged things up a bit.
Check the filter from the water barrel in case you need to clean it
Check the water level in your reservoir as it sometimes gets used by the plants much faster than you would think it would as it uses more water than you would probably have given the plant yourself.
Many thanks for everyone’s feedback which we hope helps other growers. The gifted AutoPot systems has opened up a new way of growing, which has been a positive experience. So, as we learn and share, I’m quite sure that this great way of growing will continue to help vegetables thrive.
Fiona Shenfield FNVS, NVS General Secretary
Simply Vegetables 11