Photo & Video Diaries - 2007

• Greenhouse Trials 2007 ( 9 Articles )
  

  This year we are going to test the 1Pot System and the easy2grow Kit. We will also be trialling many trays attached to a single water barrel. We’ll be growing tomatoes, Chillies, Cucumbers, Aubergines, Peas, Sweet Peas, Pak Choi, Coriander and several other herbs. In some instances we have “companion planted”. Such as Pak Choi being grown in the same pot as the Sweet Peas & Coriander with Garden Peas. As you can see from the photos we will be using two small poly tunnels, measuring 8ft x 4ft. The tunnels are easy to construct and are child friendly. Doors can be opened at either end, with four window vents incorporated along the length of each tunnel for additional ventilation.
  
  Unlike many trials that are carried out under controlled conditions, we are going to grow as 99.9% of the population does, with no power or environmental control. Using a simple greenhouse, the AutoPot products and left to the mercy of the elements. Just like everyone else!
  
  We have decided to use good quality compost from any local garden centre mixed with approximately 20%-30% of perlite. The perlite once added provides more air retention and stops the compost from compressing once it is wet. We have deliberately kept away from composts containing peat. Any type of soil/compost can be used just ensure that it has a good structure, good air retention/drainage and good capillary action. Using a good quality compost with perlite always works very well. Once the plants have been potted up they are watered through and allowed to drain. Just before the pots are placed into the trays we make sure that there is no compost or perlite stuck to the bottom or sides of the pot. Simply brush off anything stuck to the pot with a small hand brush & place in the tray. The Marix disc inside the pot will prevent any further compost from leaving the pot and the Root Control Disc in the tray, gold face up, will prevent the roots from leaving the pot.
  
  Not only will we be testing the systems we will also be trialling four different types of liquid feed. Four easy2grow Kits will be used to grow Tomatoes, Gardeners Delight and Sungold. During the growing season we will be monitoring the growth of the plants using the different liquid feeds. Weighing the fruit harvested and seeing if there is a difference in taste.
  
  We will also be growing Chillies in the same way as the Tomatoes, using four easy2grow Kits and four different liquid feeds. Once again we are looking for quantity of chillies and healthy plants.
  
  At the moment the systems have not been completely set up. We normally water the plants through and then leave them for up to 14 days as there is enough water in the compost to feed the small plants. We like to get the root system working and down to the bottom of the pot before all the AQUAvalves are connected to the tanks and the water supply turned on. As we started quite late all our plants are quite small so there is enough water in the pots to last the plants for 14 days.
  
  Choose a date from below to view photos and/or videos:

• Eden Project 2007 ( 5 Articles )
  

  We are pleased to announce that the Eden Project will be exhibiting our products again this year, as 2006 was an overwhelming success. The exhibit will be shown in the Warm Temperate Dome and on a larger scale. This year Eden will be growing Tomatoes and Chilli peppers. Please keep referring to the website so that you can see the stages of growth, as we will be producing video clips through out the year.

  Due to the success of the exhibit at the Eden Project in 2006 we have been asked to create another display using the AutoPot products. This year Eden will be growing Chillies & Tomatoes.
  
  The exhibit started on the 30th April 2007, with the plants being added a week later. This year we will be using AutoCoco as the soil and feeding with a Coco feed supplied by Canadian Express. The combination of the AutoCoco and the Canadian Express liquid feed was such as success last year we decided that the same combination should be used again in 2007.
  
  The 2Pot trays will be attached to a 350ltr water barrel, with 16mm pipe (hosepipe) being the main supply. At each AQUAvalve point the pipe is reduced to 6mm pipe, using the AutoPot fittings, (16mm-6mm cross connector, PF945/X). Using large pipe as the main supply creates greater pressure from the tank over greater distances. Here at Eden the distance between the tank and the 2Pot tray furthest from the tank is 6 meters. This can be extended easily to 15 meters, if required. At the end of each run we have attached a 16mm In-line tap (black/red). The tap is added to the end of the pipe allowing the systems to be flushed at will by simply opening the tap for 30 seconds and then shutting it again. The tanks will be re-filled once there is a third left with the liquid feed being added at the same time.
  
  In several days, once installed and planted up this system will automatically water and feed the Tomatoes & Chillies, using gravity pressure only. NO PUMPS, TIMERS OR ELECTRICITY are needed to grow the plants. Also no water is ever lost. The water travels from the tank to the trays and is consumed by the plants sitting in the 2Pot trays. The AQUAvalve in each tray will control the water. The AQUAvalve will allow a level of 20mm to flood each tray. Once this level is reached, the AQUAvalve will shut off the incoming water and not re-open until all the water in the tray has been consumed. The AQUAvalve has the unique ability of providing the plants with a “Wet & Dry Cycle”. Everything that is supplied to the plants is used by the plants.