Grow Mediums Coco grow in backyard

[jeremy anderson]

I haven't done a grow in close to 10 years or so. When I did, it was indoors using fox farm soil, and nutes. Got good results but always thought it could be better.

I am interested in growing in coco outdoors, my only hesitation is the need to water, and feed more often. The plants will be in pots.I will be growing sweet seeds devil cream, 00 seeds chocolate skunk, and bubblegum.
I work out of town some what often for 4 days at a time. Anyone have some links to tutorials for a drip system, or anything else that may help during those times. Summers get got here in northern California. Not sure if I should stay the course with the coco, or abandon for soil. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Hey. Off the top of my head I see 3 options (there may be more): Electronically controlled drip system, blumats or autopots. They all have their good and bad points.
The advantage of autopots or blumats is the fact that they are non mechanical and the plants feed themselves (very low chances of your plants dying if properly set up). The downside is you have virtually no control over your feedings, plus your "soup" can go bad pretty quick in the hot summer temps so you'd have to carefully place your system and maybe add an air pump which implies electrical/mechanical parts that can break.
The advantage of the electronically controlled drip system is the maximum flexibility and control over your feedings which makes for potentially great final results. The downside is of course that anything mechanical/electrical can break which would lead to your plant's death if you are away from home when it happens.
In any case, it's all about the setup, if done properly any of these options will work.

 

[Habitual]

Coco and control release fertilizer placed in front of a sprinkler system works.

 

[jeremy anderson]

I was leaning toward drip system. Thanks for the help

 

[BII]

Why not just add vermiculite or similar common good water-holder media to your coco, or use a bottom layer of just vermiculite? That should do it. Or don't outdoor growers now use super-soaking or absorbent materials sold for this purpose, or use similar super-adsorbent diapers buried underneath to act as a reservoir?