AutoPot Easy2grow 16 pots incl. 225L Flexitank

Product detailed description

AutoPot Easy2grow for 16 pots - 225l Flexitank, weeks without attention

Do you need reliable irrigation for 16 plants that you can leave unattended even while on holiday? AutoPot Easy2grow for 16 square 8.5 l pots with a 225l Flexitank is among the most water-efficient irrigation systems in the world. The set is suitable for a grow tent, greenhouse and garden wherever hand watering already takes time. 8 AQUAvalve valves always serve a pair of pots, so you can leave the plants unattended for weeks. The system is fully modular and you can expand it at any time with the Extension Kit.

With a set for 16 plants, the price is spread across 16 positions and pays off mainly in saved labour and water: instead of daily rounds, gravity from the 225l Flexitank takes care of watering. You do not need electricity, timers or pumps; the tank does not need to be constantly emptied and refilled, and the distribution line does not need flushing because fertiliser does not build up in it. The larger tank volume also means longer intervals between refills than with smaller versions.

How the irrigation works

Each pair of pots shares one tray (2Pot tray) and is served by one AQUAvalve valve. After connection to the tank, the valve opens the supply and lets the tray fill with water to the preset level - by gravity only, without pumps, mains pressure, electricity or timers. As long as the plants have not used the water from the tray, AQUAvalve will not allow another refill. The plants therefore go through a wet and dry cycle, which supports healthy roots; once the tray is emptied, the process repeats.

Recommended substrates

Always use a freely draining substrate in Easy2grow pots. The following 50% / 50% mixes have proven effective:

• Mix of soil and perlite - 50/50
• Mix of soil and expanded clay - 50/50
• Mix of coconut fibre and perlite - 50/50
• Mix of coconut fibre and expanded clay - 50/50
• Mix of Rockwool and expanded clay - 50/50

If you use expanded clay, rinse the pebbles with water first - some types are not pH stable and may raise the pH of the water in the tray. Before placing the pots into the tray, clean the bottom and sides of substrate off them to maintain the proper function of the AQUAvalve valve.

Tank setup and start-up

Place the tank (225l Flexitank) at least 150 mm above the highest AQUAvalve valve. If the irrigation level drops to 1/3 of the original volume, top it up - and never let the tank run completely dry. After planting, water the plants and let them root for 7-10 days; only then start the system. A stronger root system will then take care of the water in the tray itself. The square base of the 8.5 l pots fits well into the tray, and a set of two pots on one tray saves space in a row.

Mineral and organic fertilisers

You can dose mineral and organic fertilisers through the tank and distribution line. With organic fertilisers, also add a water pump to the tank (run 15 min every 2 h) so the nutrients do not settle, and each time the tank is emptied flush the distribution line and clean the tank, pump and filter. With mineral fertilisers, operation is the simplest and maintenance-free.

Care of the AQUAvalve valve

AQUAvalve is a simple but very effective device that requires careful handling - keep the valve and 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 paper clip or blow it through; never clean it with a drill - you would destroy the valve. The silicone on the upper float must sit parallel to the opening; check this at eye level.

Contents of the package

• 1x 225l Flexitank
• 8x easy2grow module (16x 8.5 l pot, 8x Easy2grow tray, 8x Easy2grow lid)
• 8x Easy2grow package (AQUAvalve5 cam, PotSock Square, marix disk, tubing, grommets and connectors)
• 1x AutoPot 16 mm filter with quick connector
• 4 m AutoPot 16 mm hose
• instructions for use

Expansion and accessories

You can expand the system over time with the easy2grow Extension Kit (two 8.5 l pots), add replacement pots as 8.5 l pot and find missing parts in the accessory box for 24 pots. For a cleaner tray and healthy roots, choose PotSock Square, a copper sleeve for the bottom of a square pot; for seedlings and early stages, the propagation cover is suitable.

Which size to choose

This set serves 16 plants. Nearby sizes: a smaller set is available as Easy2grow for 12 pots; a larger one as Easy2grow for 20 pots. The body of the system is the same in all sizes; only the number of modules and the tank volume differ - see the full easy2grow range.

Frequently asked questions

Why two pots on one valve?

The Easy2grow set shares one tray and one AQUAvalve valve for two plants. This gives it the lowest price and water use per plant in the entire AutoPot range, and it takes up less space in a row.

Which substrate is suitable for Easy2grow?

Always a freely draining 50/50 mix - soil/perlite, soil/expanded clay, coconut/perlite, coconut/expanded clay or Rockwool/expanded clay. Drainage is key for alternating the wet and dry cycle.

Can I expand the system later?

Yes. Easy2grow is modular - by adding an Extension Kit (two pots per valve) you can grow to a practically unlimited size. With a larger number of valves, use a 16 mm main line with a reduction to 9 mm.