AutoPot 1Pot system 2 pots incl. 47L plastic tank

Product detailed description

AutoPot 1Pot for 2 pots - two plants that water themselves

Do you have space on a balcony, windowsill or in a corner of the tent for a few plants and do you not want to deal with daily watering? AutoPot 1Pot for two 15 l square pots is the smallest self-watering set in the range - both plants share one 47 l tank and run for days without attention, using gravity only.

The square 15 l pots can be placed right next to each other, so even in a small area they do not take up unnecessary space, and you can easily move the whole set elsewhere. You will not find a smaller set in our range - 2 pots is the entry size.

How the irrigation works

Each pot sits on its own tray with an AQUAvalve5 valve. The valve opens the supply by itself and lets the tray fill with nutrient solution to a level of 20 mm - by gravity only, without pumps, mains pressure, electricity or timers. As long as the plant has not used up the water from the tray, the valve will not release another dose. The plant therefore goes through a wet and dry cycle, which aerates the roots and supports healthy growth; once the tray is emptied, the cycle repeats.

Recommended substrates

Always use a freely draining substrate in 1Pot - permeability is key for alternating the wet and dry cycle. The following mixes in a 50% / 50% ratio have proven effective:

• Soil and perlite - 50/50
• Soil and expanded clay - 50/50
• Coco and perlite - 50/50
• Coco and expanded clay - 50/50
• Rockwool and expanded clay - 50/50

If you use expanded clay, rinse the pebbles with water first - some types are not pH stable and could raise the pH of the nutrient solution in the tray. Before placing the pot into the tray, clean the bottom and sides of substrate off it to maintain the correct function of the AQUAvalve5 valve.

Tank set-up and start-up

One 47 l tank is enough for two plants. Place the tank (47 l plastic tank with lid) at least 150 mm above the highest AQUAvalve5 valve - gravity does all the work. If the nutrient solution level drops to roughly 1/3 of the volume, top it up, and never let the tank dry out completely. After planting, water the plants and let them root for 7-10 days; only then start the system. Stronger roots will then manage the water from the tray themselves.

For placing the tank, the Garland plastic stool is suitable - it raises it to the required height above the valves.

Mineral fertilisers - and why not organic with 1Pot

For the best results, the manufacturer recommends mineral fertilisers for the 1Pot system - operation is simplest with them and practically maintenance-free. Organic fertilisers are not recommended for the base 1Pot: they tend to settle and clog the narrow 9 mm distribution line. (This is different from the larger 1Pot XL and XXL systems, where organics are possible with a water pump in the tank.) It is enough to mix the nutrient solution with mineral fertiliser in the tank and the system takes care of the rest itself.

Care of the AQUAvalve5 valve

AQUAvalve5 is a simple but very effective device - keep the valve and the tray clean and free of obstructions. At the end of the season, wash the valve in warm soapy water (an old toothbrush helps). Push limescale out of the nozzle with a paperclip or blow it through; never clean it with a drill - you would irreparably destroy the valve.

Contents of the package

• 1x 47 l plastic tank with lid
• 2x 1Pot module (15 l SQUARE pot, 1Pot tray & lid, tray lid)
• 2x 1Pot pack (AQUAvalve5 cam, Root Control Disc, MARIX Disc, tubing, grommets and connectors)
• instructions for use

Expansion and accessories

You can expand the system at any time by adding another 1Pot extension module (9 mm) - the body stays the same, you just connect a new pot on a tray. Replacement 1Pot tray & lid and tray lid can be added separately, and for a cleaner root ball and tray, reach for the copper PotSock Square, a square sleeve for the 15 l pot (unlike the round PotSock for 1Pot XL).

Which size to choose

This set serves 2 plants. For growth, choose the 1Pot for 4 pots (47 l). The system body is the same for all sizes - only the number of modules, tank volume and, for larger sets, the 16 mm distribution line differ. You can also view the full 1Pot range.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 47 l tank enough for two plants for a longer period?

Yes - two plants use little, so 47 l will comfortably last even through a normal business trip. Just keep an eye on the level so it does not drop below 1/3, and top up in time. Never let the tank dry out completely.

Which substrate is suitable for 1Pot?

Always a freely draining 50/50 mix - soil/perlite, soil/expanded clay, coco/perlite, coco/expanded clay or Rockwool/expanded clay. Permeability is key for alternating the wet and dry cycle; rinse the expanded clay before use.

Can I use organic fertilisers in 1Pot?

We do not recommend them for the base 1Pot - organics settle in the narrow 9 mm distribution line and clog it. Choose mineral fertilisers; with them the system is maintenance-free. Only the larger 1Pot XL and XXL systems can handle organics with a pump in the tank.