Is perlite needed when growing in coco coir?

dtl420

dtl420

Well-Known Member
MickFoster said:
I put a layer of river rock over the coco to try and fend off fungus gnats. You'll notice I cover my air pots with pantyhose to cover the side holes for the same reason - I try to eliminate any access to my coco which stays saturated all the time.
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I've heard of people using a top dress of sand, they say the fungus gnats can't get through it. I just used sm-90, it suffocates the larvae then the adult gnats die naturally, and I haven't seen one in my grow room since.
 
MickFoster

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
dtl420 said:
I've heard of people using a top dress of sand, they say the fungus gnats can't get through it. I just used sm-90, it suffocates the larvae then the adult gnats die naturally, and I haven't seen one in my grow room since.
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I use sm-90 in every feeding, every day, and I had fungus gnats my last grow. FYI. :-)
 
dtl420

dtl420

Well-Known Member
MickFoster said:
I use sm-90 in every feeding, every day, and I had fungus gnats my last grow. FYI. :-)
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how much did you use? I found I had to make a questionably strong solution to kill them, I think it came down to 1-2 tsp/gal or some shit. I just gave up on the automated watering system after that grow, didn't want to fuck with the gnats again.

The gnat larvae breath through their bodies, and sm-90 decreases the surface tension of the water causing the water to flow in those holes. Water without a surfactant will just bead up on their bodies and they're still able to breath. That's why I love sm-90, they can't develop an immunity to it, it kills them physiologically.
 
MickFoster

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
dtl420 said:
how much did you use? I found I had to make a questionably strong solution to kill them, I think it came down to 1-2 tsp/gal or some shit. I just gave up on the automated watering system after that grow, didn't want to fuck with the gnats again.

The gnat larvae breath through their bodies, and sm-90 decreases the surface tension of the water causing the water to flow in those holes. Water without a surfactant will just bead up on their bodies and they're still able to breath. That's why I love sm-90, they can't develop an immunity to it, it kills them physiologically.
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What can I say? I don't dispute the science behind it, but I use 3ml per gallon of water every day and I still had them.
 
dtl420

dtl420

Well-Known Member
MickFoster said:
What can I say? I don't dispute the science behind it, but I use 3ml per gallon of water every day and I still had them.
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http://www.growweedeasy.com/fungus-gnats
I'm really really really not trying to argue, I just smoked my first bong of the day and I don't have what it takes to get worked up right now, I just want to help you get rid of the gnats, man! If they're still there then they're reproducing somewhere in your grow room, supposing you do live somewhere cold enough for all the bugs to go away. I tried a lot of dumb shit to try to get rid of them.. But when I submerged that fabric pot in the bath tub, I let it sit for a minute or 2, and they all started rising to the surface. They're nasty as hell, looked like maggots. Again, I know that was a horrible way to try to get rid of them, but that was the first time I actually saw them, and there was a lot.. And I really hate the idea of anything eating part of my plant, even if they won't kill it.
 
MickFoster

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
dtl420 said:
I'm really really really not trying to argue, I just smoked my first bong of the day and I don't have what it takes to get worked up right now, I just want to help you get rid of the gnats, man! If they're still there then they're reproducing somewhere in your grow room,
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No argument here brother. I'm not sure why you would get worked up over what I said anyway - I was just telling you my experience with sm-90 and fungus gnat larvae - it wasn't a personal attack on you or your methods. I don't have fungus gnats and never said that I did - but I do appreciate your willingness to help with a non-existent problem. When I did have the problem (last grow) I drenched 3 times with Gnatrol and they were history. Peace.
 
dtl420

dtl420

Well-Known Member
MickFoster said:
No argument here brother. I'm not sure why you would get worked up over what I said anyway - I was just telling you my experience with sm-90 and fungus gnat larvae - it wasn't a personal attack on you or your methods. I don't have fungus gnats and never said that I did - but I do appreciate your willingness to help with a non-existent problem. When I did have the problem (last grow) I drenched 3 times with Gnatrol and they were history. Peace.
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Sorry. I was under the impression that you still had issues with the gnats and just gave up.
 
G

Grower202085

Active Member
dtl420 said:
Being auto's I would imagine 3 gal will suffice. And being a cold dry winter, I would say no perlite would be fine. Just keep in mind that in the spring/summer when the humidity starts to creep up that you may want some perlite in there so that your medium doesn't stay soggy for too long. Maybe throw a few handfuls of hydroton in with one of the pots and see how it does. But like I said, you don't need shit to improve the drainage of coco, it drains like a dream on its own.
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Why spread misinformation have you even grown with coco ? I watered a 23L pot 6 days ago and the bottom is still soaking wet. Coco holds onto water just as badly as soil does . Whether it's hot humid conditions or dry cold conditions it soaks water up like a sponge
 
bk78

bk78

Well-Known Member
Grower202085 said:
Why spread misinformation have you even grown with coco ? I watered a 23L pot 6 days ago and the bottom is still soaking wet. Coco holds onto water just as badly as soil does . Whether it's hot humid conditions or dry cold conditions it soaks water up like a sponge
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My 25L pots dry out 3 times a day, sounds like it’s a YOU issue to me that your plants aren’t drinking.
 
J232

J232

Well-Known Member
twentyeight.threefive said:
I see. You've updated your setup since the last 6 times you told me you only feed once a day because that's all they need. Gotcha.
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I don’t remember him ever saying he fed once a day, like maybe a small plant or 3 gallons but never the final pots, just try and keep up. Most of us water when required based on our environments, over all, it’s all common sense.
 
twentyeight.threefive

twentyeight.threefive

Well-Known Member
J232 said:
I don’t remember him ever saying he fed once a day, like maybe a small plant or 3 gallons but never the final pots, just try and keep up. Most of us water when required based on our environments, over all, it’s all common sense.
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He's mentioned it many times. Try to keep up.

bk78 said:
Oh and I’d like to point out. I let my coco dry out daily and only feed once a day.



I will only feed my coco when my cups dry out for the first 2 weeks of their lives, so like every second or third day?
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bk78 said:
I let my coco dry out :shrug:



feed once a day too :hump:
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bk78 said:
I use my coco right out the bag



I feed once a day



I use tap water
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bk78

bk78

Well-Known Member
Damn I have yet another follower.

truly flattered as usual with you dudes

Unfortunately I don’t like men guys, maybe I could start a chat with all of you though and some of you could connect with each other?

Meeting place is 2835’s parents back yard, looks like they have some nice patio furniture covered up from the pics he’s posted.
 
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