Grow Mediums Can i use this for my first coco grow?

[Bromeo]

Actually you still need to monitor the ph very closely with coco. It stores or "holds onto" something that drops the ph over time. I'm beyond vigilant about monitoring the ph in my coco grows.

 

[A-Train]

See I told ya @Bromeo was a coco guru.

The ph of coco can Flux on ya and keeping a daily check on ph until ypu get the hang of it is crucial in cutting off the problems before they start. Follow his advice and you'll be golden

 

[MoonDude]

Actually you still need to monitor the ph very closely with coco. It stores or "holds onto" something that drops the ph over time. I'm beyond vigilant about monitoring the ph in my coco grows.

It is my understanding that trying to pH test the substrate or runoff will always be misleading and inconsistent for this very reason. I feel foolish commenting without confirming what is being held, but I am new and this and my statement of understanding is not from first hand experience; other than the gals I have now?

 

[A-Train]

The best way to test is an accurate 8 ph meter that will check in the medium. Some folks try and cut the corners and not buy it but to the price. But if it's something that can save your entire grow and the investment in it it's a sure bet

 

[Bromeo]

I use accu8. Tis the bomb.

 

[budelee]

So next question needing a response, @Bromeo or @A-Train if the coco ph "drifts" to the high side,say 7.5 ,do you try and take it back to the 5.9 range by feeding with 4.3 solution???

 

[Bromeo]

Raises or drops I do the same thing. A good rinse with a cleansing product and return to my regular feeding schedule. Or rinse with water till clean and return to my normal feeding schedule. If you start trying to make adjustments you might end up chasing your tail.

If your using a product like Coco Loco or something with buffering agents ignore all above reading. Just ph and go.

 

[MoonDude]

It is the secondary nutrients being held by the coco fiber that accumulates. The accumulation will hold in variance of types of secondaries and density throughout the medium. The secondaries, which are not always readily available from the accumulation clusters for consumption by the plant.

Actually you still need to monitor the ph very closely with coco. It stores or "holds onto" something that drops the ph over time. I'm beyond vigilant about monitoring the ph in my coco grows.

I went back to find the source that lead me to not knock my head trying to follow the medium ph when using coco fiber/coir.

Reviewing again, this is why I took the path of not trying to keep up with it. In summary, it is the secondary nutrients being held by the coco fiber that accumulates. The accumulation will hold in variance of types of secondaries and density throughout the medium. The varied clusters of secondaries, which are not always readily available for consumption by the plant, will effect the reading.

I am new and trying to learn anything and everything. It sounds like I need to look back into this issue with this approach.

I greatly appreciate the insight, I had a heck of a time getting credible info on the subject and the summary above was all I found.

 

[MoonDude]

The best way to test is an accurate 8 ph meter that will check in the medium. Some folks try and cut the corners and not buy it but to the price. But if it's something that can save your entire grow and the investment in it it's a sure bet

Too much $$$ and time invested to not use to keep it safe I reckon. I'm hitting Amazon.

So I understand, when I am hitting the 7 and above on the coco medium, I use this as directed and it will buffer out the deposits?

 

[Bromeo]

I gotta say I'm beyond impressed with some of the coco blends now on the market. Last time I went to my hydro shop a bag of Cyco 100% pure cleaned ready to use was $22(just pure coco) and a bag of Coco Loco was $25. For $3 more ya get a super easy to use buffered and balanced product.