Grow Mediums A-Train needs info on the coco for future run... help a brother out.

[A-Train]

Ok AFN. Here's the deal. I have a 4 pot autopot system with air domes I'll be running beginning on my next grow. My friend @Bromeo says there a bunch of cool folks down here in the coco section so I figured ide journal here with yall if it's ok.


I've been seeing my man @Hansbricks grow some real nice plants with that setup using a coco perlite mix so I aim to emulate him when getting started. Only thing is I can't find the coco brand he uses anywhere close and it'll cost a fortune to ship. I do have some General Hydroponics Coco Tek bales I can get for a good price. So anyone with coco experience if the GH coco Tek a good coco.


Ok next is I use the Advanced nutrient ph perfect base nutrients but they are not the coco version. I'm sure there is a way to use them but is the coco version mainly due to the cal/mag needs of plants in coco?

Any input on the matters would be more than appreciated

 

[Hal 8999]

Glad to hear you are stepping up to coco coir. It is like the greatest soil/promix ever. So spongy, and just full of air and water. I have used the GH coco several times, and think it is a 4.5 out of 5. It is a little coarser and faster draining, than a few others I have liked more. That is the only negative I could say. I had no issue with toxic salt build up, and I did not have to pre-rinse it. I always let a block soak over night to fully swell and defoliate. GH was the best for reconstituting. It sucked up the nutrient solution quick.
The best coco I have used is FibreDust brand. It reminds me of the texture of Proven Winners soil. Just perfect, and the best earthy humus smell. I think that BeatsPeat is a close second. Not quite as spongy and sweet smelling. Both take all night to reconstitute fully and soften enough to fluff up by hand properly.

 

[Hal 8999]

You should not need to add cali/mag since you use complete fertilizers and tap water. The problem comes from not using tap or ground water. Coco does have a natural buffering trait, especially for calcium. So for two years I used pure RO water only. Then decided to try without plain tap water. It made a huge difference for the better. The naturally large calcium bonds in tap/ground water seem to satiate the need for the coco's calcium, and leaves the small chelate version for the plant. I used Maxi series by GH base nutrients with great results, and then later MHP masterblend formula also.

 

[Hal 8999]

I also prefer to use pure coco coir. No soil or perlite mixed in. It lets it hold more water for when those girls get truly huge, and it decreased my watering frequency. You do not have to worry about over watering. It is almost impossible to do.

 

[A-Train]

First of all rep slap for the quick and informative response

 

[Hal 8999]

I like to precharge my coco with a couple Tablespoons of Epsom salts and a Tablespoon of cali/mag. It should take exactly 5 gallons of water to reconstitute one 11 kg coco bail. I prefer to use a large rope handle Rubbermaid container for the task. Then I mix in some Great White or other mycos product, while I hand fluff and break the block up. Thats about all I can think of now. You should be more than fine. It is easier than soil, and much better.

 

[A-Train]

And I'll def be going with the GH then. I didn't see the brand you mentioned either and the convenience of amazon dropping the GH on my door for free in 2 days is amazing.

I think I'll mix in a little perlite but not 50 50 like autopot suggest. Hans is doing great with a mostly coco mix but with me using auto post the need for me to water is gone once the res is turned on.

So no washing or rinsing should be required just soak over night drain and place in pots?

I do use bubbled tap to feed and with my advanced nutrients I have never buffered with ph down but my ph is always 6.2 @Hansbricks what is the ph of your res after mixing my friend?

 

[A-Train]

I use voodoo juice and piranha as my root zone stimulates could I mix them and some cal mag in before potting and planting ?

 

[Hal 8999]

You are welcome, glad to help. I would mix in a bit of cal/mag, Voodoo and Piranha into the 5 gallons of water. You will not have to drain anything. It will absorb and hold every drop of the 5 gallons. I came up with the technique of pouring roughly a gallon of solution over the block and letting it sit for an hour. Then I flip that over and pour another gallon fairly slowly into the reconstituted side and let it sit in the solution for 20 min before repeating until done. Then just let it sit over night to fully even moisture levels and soften. Fluff and mix in any perlite. Then you are done. One block will make 15 gallons when done.

 

[A-Train]

You sir ARE THE MAN