DonTesla
Well-Known Member
Pat, mon! Great attitude... I am looking into pro's and con's of both.I'm really high and really tired. Just finished trimming a couple of white urkel plants. (I freaking hate trimming). So this is going to be a ramble lol.
Sorry, I probably came off the wrong way. I will respond to this. I think it's a great subject. I do appreciate everyones input because this is how we learn and grow. I started doing a little digging, and I will do more. I am slated to be afk for several days and preparing to be gone so I don't have as much time as I would like to spend on this now. I this it is a worthy topic that I would like to look into a little more.
From some of the academic papers I looked through kind of quick looks like people started seeing stunted plant growth from using more then 50% coco coir. I do very much agree with below66, there does seem to be something so right about using peat - to me it's the microbe life. I totally did not realize coco was high in potassium. Not a chance I would replace kelp with coir. My mentality in growing is not what can I add to my mix, but what can I remove. I want as few as ingredients as possible, with the maximum benefit.
I need to get a better cec on peat, but I found this on coir:
http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/31/6/965.short
Again, briefly, looks like water holding and aeration ability are very dependent on particle size and location harvested.
http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/32/5/844.short
http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/EA02128
http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/40/7/2138.short
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852401001894?np=y
My ultimate goal will be to try and incorporate leaf mulch and other local amendments into my mix. My goal is always to be as sustainable as possible, without getting too crazy on it.
Do Rev and Subcool reuse their soil?
P-
one thing tho.. we are not looking to have more than 50% coir, so that's not quite valid support for this imo. Thats similar to me presenting a study that talks about growing lettuce in gypsum because that is something we will never ever do with our love for HUMUS..
but, academic papers is an interesting angle. kudos. I think someone went to university
but bromon, Not really looking to replace kelp per se, either, just because it has some P naturally.. these assumptions, lets let them wilt brother ..the idea is to have symbiotic fungal-root relationships, right, as well as high micro life, .. so lets stay focused, shall we, friend, to me, peat is worse for veg and flower, vs coir which is a pro-fungi. that said, peat is better for cloning since its anti-fungi as stated here on this peat moss site: Fungus is a root killer. but myco fungi is a flower amplifier! symbiotic root relationships!
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pros-cons-peat-moss-26860.html
that all aside, here is a bit of light shed on the peat industry's less than peachy impact on the world, :
"Peat moss cultivation from natural bogs destroys the organisms that live there, along with the slow-growing spongy substance. In fact, the decaying nature of peat moss makes it one of the least renewable substances for gardening uses; unless commercially grown, the natural bogs will not be able to regenerate their peat for a substantial amount of time. Along with damaging the local wildlife population, carbon dioxide releases into the air when these bogs are drained for peat moss removal. Adding more carbon dioxide into the air causes more pollution and damage to the ozone layer. Alternatives to peat moss, such as coir or coconut fibers, provide a more sustainable solution to your gardening needs."
[source: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/peat-moss-disadvantages-38326.html]
Who cares about that though, thats tree hugger shit though, right?
More spicy, is this disease dish on peat: check this out.. a risk i care not to take:
"Typically drained from a bog, peat moss is a natural substance formed from numerous decaying plants. As a result, any diseases that may have been active in the original plants are still present in the decomposing matter. It is possible to spread these pathogens into your garden if the peat moss is from a diseased portion of a bog. Since the peat moss retains a large amount of water, the pathogens move easily throughout the soil and into awaiting roots. It may be difficult to pinpoint your plant's demise since no exterior pests may be near the crop to create the particular damage"
That being said mon, we just went through a crop not worrying about any pest or disease problems, SUPER HEALTHY.. glossy to the finish many leaves, incredible health. have u guys ever had pest or disease? with crazy air flow i can water at night if need be (leaving town in morning for example before lights on).. we just a little tiny unrelated heat issue early on for a tiny bit, until we had the proper insulated ducting put in and AC/dehimidier, but it was no big deal
We Dons want our base, and entire process, like you and Hy, to be as simple as possible too.
Yet effective and tuned in to the plants needs as much as humanly (and non-humanly) possible, mon.. just chopped a plant yesterday that was fed nothing but plain water (or nothing) for 86 out of its 87 day first-life, she is so coated, wow thats whats its all about. one super mild tea emulating some natural process in nature. basically what principle we are describing is minimum effective dose or the MED principle. Ok so lets apply that in theory. So we take one part recycled living organic soil, one part black gold (EWC), one part perlite, and one part coir.. viola. A super soil. Since we add it (coir) every time, it is better for me if it breaks down in the first couple grows, which it does. especially if micro life is high, and worms are in the pots.. peat moss lasts for 2 years plus and coco peat 20+, so coco coir is the ideal for me, otherwise the mix would get medium-heavy with pith that doesn't break down.. of course we are creatures of Neuro-Associations, opinion and habit, tho. so to me, i just think about the coconut, i recall my trip and how so many ppl made a living out its existence.. not just its ability to heal, moisturize, (oil), quench thirst, replenish electrolytes, but it can be used to help feed ppl, build bridges, even huts to live in! sheds! canoes! soaps, cosmetics, massage oils, fuels!!! horse shoes, brooms, its many horticultural uses, and many medical uses. Talk about complete utility.
*[sidenote ! BIG UP and RESPECT to hyroot for doing a side by side by side experiment,
*hats off from the Dons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]*
@DonPetro @DonTigro
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