30 Plant Grow Project
- Thread starter Windsblow
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Windsblow
Well-Known Member
So I just picked up 2 block of coco and am rehydrating it. It seems as though rinsing would be a hell of a headache. I tested the Coco Ph and with my tap water, which is Alki, it is running about 6.2-6.5. Looks good so maybe I wont need to rinse.
How steady have you found Coco's PH to be. Does it flux alot?
How steady have you found Coco's PH to be. Does it flux alot?
TheLastWood
Well-Known Member
Coco is buffered a t 6 ph which is perfect, you don't need to rinse botanicare coco. Even the blocks.
And to address the other posts,
Bricks are better if you use a lot of coco imo
Yes you will use more nutes in coco, part of the reason for the hydro like growth
You don't need to mix anything with coco, you can mix if you want but I wouldn't recomend it. I don't ewant to water my plants 4 or 8 times a day. In theory, 4 or 8 times is great if you can do it, but it would be better set to a drip system. Watering 1x a day is great compared to soil and its great for the plants.
Coco can be reused, I never do it but when I start my outdoor garden it will go into my compost pile.
Its also recomended that you get a ppm meter and ph pen
And to address the other posts,
Bricks are better if you use a lot of coco imo
Yes you will use more nutes in coco, part of the reason for the hydro like growth
You don't need to mix anything with coco, you can mix if you want but I wouldn't recomend it. I don't ewant to water my plants 4 or 8 times a day. In theory, 4 or 8 times is great if you can do it, but it would be better set to a drip system. Watering 1x a day is great compared to soil and its great for the plants.
Coco can be reused, I never do it but when I start my outdoor garden it will go into my compost pile.
Its also recomended that you get a ppm meter and ph pen
TheLastWood
Well-Known Member
Also coco will buffer itself to whatever ph you are watering at so its imortant to always ph your solution to 6. Others say to go as low as 5.4 but I've found as high as 6.2 to work great and I think 6 works best. You always want to keep the coco moist. NEVER EVER EVER LET THE COCO FULLY DRY OUT this is super important. You always want to keep the coco at least moist. You don't want to keep it waterlogged all the time either but its very hard to overwater coco.
Some reasons to keep your coco moist:
Coco is a hydro medium, you need to water daily, and feed nutes daily or bi daily. Obviously, feeding this often, you can use low ppms, I rarel go over 650 ppm at full strength. Since you feed so often, its very important you water till you get 20% runoff at every watering. I feed bi daily, and water daily (feed,water,feed,water) with 20% runoff and I never have to flush the whole grow (unless I have nute burn or a problem then I flush). Salt buildups in coco can be very dangerous. That's why every watering with the runoff is like a mini flush. As salts build up in the coco, nutes get locked out and ph becomes unstable. As coco dries out, the water to nutrient ratio changes, and there is a higher concentration of nutrient salts in the coco causing the ph to rapidly drop. As long as you keep the coco moist your ph will be stable.
Coco is also great because it holds nutrients great, but if you need to you can easily flush the nutes out, compared to soil. However, if you are not using coco specific nutes, like canna coco, then you will need to add cal mag because coco naturally has a high k content and it cancels out some of he calcium so just use a 2-3 ml a gal of cal mag when at full strength.
Some reasons to keep your coco moist:
Coco is a hydro medium, you need to water daily, and feed nutes daily or bi daily. Obviously, feeding this often, you can use low ppms, I rarel go over 650 ppm at full strength. Since you feed so often, its very important you water till you get 20% runoff at every watering. I feed bi daily, and water daily (feed,water,feed,water) with 20% runoff and I never have to flush the whole grow (unless I have nute burn or a problem then I flush). Salt buildups in coco can be very dangerous. That's why every watering with the runoff is like a mini flush. As salts build up in the coco, nutes get locked out and ph becomes unstable. As coco dries out, the water to nutrient ratio changes, and there is a higher concentration of nutrient salts in the coco causing the ph to rapidly drop. As long as you keep the coco moist your ph will be stable.
Coco is also great because it holds nutrients great, but if you need to you can easily flush the nutes out, compared to soil. However, if you are not using coco specific nutes, like canna coco, then you will need to add cal mag because coco naturally has a high k content and it cancels out some of he calcium so just use a 2-3 ml a gal of cal mag when at full strength.
TheLastWood
Well-Known Member
In coco u will need to use slightly higher levels of N than in soil but lower concentrations of flowering nute, due to the high natural potassium content I mentioned before. I mentioned why to keep the coco moist, never let it dry out completely, but you also want to let it dry enough to let fresh new oxygen into the rootzone. If it stays too wet, no oxygen can get to the roots.
I'm just tryin to give you some tips about coco, not trying to make it sound complicated. It really is the most forgiving medium. And its simplicity of handwatering with explosive growth makes it the ultimate medium. Imo
I'm just tryin to give you some tips about coco, not trying to make it sound complicated. It really is the most forgiving medium. And its simplicity of handwatering with explosive growth makes it the ultimate medium. Imo
TheLastWood
Well-Known Member
In coco u will need to use slightly higher levels of N than in soil but lower concentrations of flowering nute, due to the high natural p content I mentioned before. I mentioned why to keep the coco moist, never let it dry out completely, but you also want to let it dry enough to let fresh new oxygen into the rootzone. If it stays too wet, no oxygen can get to the roots.
I'm just tryin to give you some tips about coco, not trying to make it sound complicated. It really is the most forgiving medium. And its simplicity of handwatering with explosive growth makes it the ultimate medium. Imo
I'm just tryin to give you some tips about coco, not trying to make it sound complicated. It really is the most forgiving medium. And its simplicity of handwatering with explosive growth makes it the ultimate medium. Imo
TheLastWood
Well-Known Member
You don't need to water 4x a day. If u use 5 gal pots u can possibly get away with bi daily but I don't recommend it. High frequency watering is the reason for growing in coco. And handwatering 1x a day is not a big deal it takes me 30 mins to mix nutes, feed, rinse jugs, fill with water to dechlorinate for 24 hrs. 30 mins a day well spent and enjoyed, plus I have a good connection with my plants and if something is off, I notice immediately.
Think of it this way. I'm breaking it down into a simple explanation, with false but easy to understand nute values. I will use npk cuz its easy to understasnd..
Day1- water with 100 ppm N, 30 ppm P, 60ppm K w/ ph 6.0 ... after 24 hours most of the N has been used, a lot of the P has been used, but die to the cocos high K value, there is still an abundance of K.
If you water with a 20% runoff (or more, if you can do more runoff its always better) the abundance of K will be flushed out, along with the o2 depleted water. Water again with the same formula above. It is your goal to provide your plant with all the fresh nutrients THAT IT NEEDS, you cannot cram nutrients into the plant. You set them at the table so the plant can use them as it needs. You shouldn't have nute burn probs with this mentality.
You want to keep a nice stable ratio of nutes. The runoff is super important and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.
Here is my feeding schedule. Ppms are aproximate. I am a light feeder compared to most but have had bad experiences with nute burn. At the first sign of nute burn, flush before it progresses, don't think u can just water with plain water a few days, it will continue burning. Be especially careful the first few weeks and feed, water, water if u have to.
Tap water first 2 weeks (290 ppm)
Week 3- 1.5 ml/gal Pure Blend Pro Grow, 320 ppm (I just happen to have a 1.5 ml spoon so I use that)
Week 4- 1.5 - 2.5 ml/gal pbpg, 350 ppm (according to plant color, vigour, etc)
Until 1 month old, I find that minimal nutes are needed and can actually stunt root growth, which is the primary growth going on at this stage. Also the first week or two when using tap I only water the very outside of the pot (keep the middle moist, don't let it dry obviously) but watering the outside sends the roots out to seasrch for the water and should still keep the center moist as coco wicks moisture to a degree. Start daily wateing at wk 3 to 4 depending on plant size. I water daily always but very lightly the first 2 weeks. Small pots need watered more often also so if u have a 2 week old in a 3 gal (not recomended) then you obviously won't water daily.
Week 5
2.5-3ml/gal pbpg
1.5 ml/gal cal mag
Etc etc. That's when I start with calmag and start tapering those both up. I use liquid karma 1x a week. This may seem like light feeding, but my tap water is 290 ppm, just about the highest u wanna use without ro.
Think of it this way. I'm breaking it down into a simple explanation, with false but easy to understand nute values. I will use npk cuz its easy to understasnd..
Day1- water with 100 ppm N, 30 ppm P, 60ppm K w/ ph 6.0 ... after 24 hours most of the N has been used, a lot of the P has been used, but die to the cocos high K value, there is still an abundance of K.
If you water with a 20% runoff (or more, if you can do more runoff its always better) the abundance of K will be flushed out, along with the o2 depleted water. Water again with the same formula above. It is your goal to provide your plant with all the fresh nutrients THAT IT NEEDS, you cannot cram nutrients into the plant. You set them at the table so the plant can use them as it needs. You shouldn't have nute burn probs with this mentality.
You want to keep a nice stable ratio of nutes. The runoff is super important and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.
Here is my feeding schedule. Ppms are aproximate. I am a light feeder compared to most but have had bad experiences with nute burn. At the first sign of nute burn, flush before it progresses, don't think u can just water with plain water a few days, it will continue burning. Be especially careful the first few weeks and feed, water, water if u have to.
Tap water first 2 weeks (290 ppm)
Week 3- 1.5 ml/gal Pure Blend Pro Grow, 320 ppm (I just happen to have a 1.5 ml spoon so I use that)
Week 4- 1.5 - 2.5 ml/gal pbpg, 350 ppm (according to plant color, vigour, etc)
Until 1 month old, I find that minimal nutes are needed and can actually stunt root growth, which is the primary growth going on at this stage. Also the first week or two when using tap I only water the very outside of the pot (keep the middle moist, don't let it dry obviously) but watering the outside sends the roots out to seasrch for the water and should still keep the center moist as coco wicks moisture to a degree. Start daily wateing at wk 3 to 4 depending on plant size. I water daily always but very lightly the first 2 weeks. Small pots need watered more often also so if u have a 2 week old in a 3 gal (not recomended) then you obviously won't water daily.
Week 5
2.5-3ml/gal pbpg
1.5 ml/gal cal mag
Etc etc. That's when I start with calmag and start tapering those both up. I use liquid karma 1x a week. This may seem like light feeding, but my tap water is 290 ppm, just about the highest u wanna use without ro.
303
Well-Known Member
A bale of sunshine mix is only $50 where I'm from. It'll fill 12 3 gallon buckets.. Good stuff too!
maps84
Well-Known Member
This is great info! actually coco fiber draws a lot of my attention because is the only product I can find here in abundance and it's really really cheap, I'm looking for a good medium to keep a few moms until I finish mastering cloning and since soil is shit here I'm done! seriously totally done with it! I'm trying botanicare line as well after using GH for a long time and plants are doing terrific, I actually find amazing the difference in root mass just because of liquid karma.
TheLastWood
Well-Known Member
Id definately say its my fav medium and worth a try. I've heard of great rsults using gh flora series. Just the bloom and micro ferts the whole grow, no veg nutes. Never tried it but heard 6ml/gal micro, 9ml/gal bloom when at full strength
As for harvesting by trichome color, it varies from sativa, indica, strain, personal preferance. I harvest pretty much when if first see amber trichs
As for harvesting by trichome color, it varies from sativa, indica, strain, personal preferance. I harvest pretty much when if first see amber trichs
Windsblow
Well-Known Member
So I repotted my plant into 2.5 liter pots with 100% (except for the little amount from the dixie cup) Coco. I put 6 of them into the flower room just for an experiment and the other 21 will be vegging for about 2 more weeks.
So watering them every day isn't too much? It just seems like it would be.
So watering them every day isn't too much? It just seems like it would be.
TheLastWood
Well-Known Member
Nope especially with small pots. Test it yourself. Another cool little trick, after you water, cultivate the top layer about 1" deep or a bit more. Do it 2x a week. I believe it gets more air to the roots, if you don't do it, after a few waterings you will have a flat compacted surface, by breaking up the surface area I believe more air gets deeper to the roots. My reason for believing this is because it allows the coco to dry faster, and by the time you harvest there will be a thick mat of roots along the whole surface of the pot just under the top layer of coco. It will eventually be impossible to cultivate the coco without tearing into the root mat. I do it anyways and it just grows back stronger.
Just feed lightly at first, remember the table scenario. Your just putting the food there for the plant to take. You can't force it, the perfect amount is no nute burn and no deficiencies plain and simple. Start with low ppms, about 350 if you feed water feed water. You may need to feed water water till they get used to the coco. That all purpose food should do good for now. Only use cal mag if ur using ro water.
If your using ro water you will obviously use a lot more nutes to get to 350ppm than if using tap which already has a high ppm.
Also u may need more than 350 ppm, your plants looked vigorous for there age, the amt of nutes depends on temp, humidity, and lighting, lighting being primary factor. 350 is a good starting place, I might suggest more if you had a higher N lower K fert but since coco has K in it, especially new coco, then I don't want you to get a K overdose.
Just feed lightly at first, remember the table scenario. Your just putting the food there for the plant to take. You can't force it, the perfect amount is no nute burn and no deficiencies plain and simple. Start with low ppms, about 350 if you feed water feed water. You may need to feed water water till they get used to the coco. That all purpose food should do good for now. Only use cal mag if ur using ro water.
If your using ro water you will obviously use a lot more nutes to get to 350ppm than if using tap which already has a high ppm.
Also u may need more than 350 ppm, your plants looked vigorous for there age, the amt of nutes depends on temp, humidity, and lighting, lighting being primary factor. 350 is a good starting place, I might suggest more if you had a higher N lower K fert but since coco has K in it, especially new coco, then I don't want you to get a K overdose.
hazeforlife
Active Member
hey man nice grow.. I got 30 at about the same age, 2 weeks check em
https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/430048-2-week-old-purple-indica.html
https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/430048-2-week-old-purple-indica.html
Windsblow
Well-Known Member
I use RO because my tap water is 900+ ppm with my RO is 40+-. I am using General Hydroponic floro aith some cal/mag+. What ppm would you suggest. I know what the company says but experience is everything. Also, do you measure after you add each chemical? I have right now a total of about 450ppm with both the cal/mah and nutes and I beleive about 150 is cal/mag+RO.
TheLastWood
Well-Known Member
At 2 weeks old I start feeding with 1.5 ml gal of pure blend pro grow. I know your using different nutes but from 250-300 is where I start at with new strains that I don't know there feeding habits. You can build up slowly from there and you shouldn't get any burn from that amt.
Also depends on the plants size, light hours (eg 18/6, 24/0) and light source. Plants under flouros will need less than under hid.
Either way until you are familiar with the strain, I would start out low. Considering my tap is 290 ppm I know 300 won't burn. My tap spiked up to 500 ppm so I dilute it 1/2 with distilled.
Also depends on the plants size, light hours (eg 18/6, 24/0) and light source. Plants under flouros will need less than under hid.
Either way until you are familiar with the strain, I would start out low. Considering my tap is 290 ppm I know 300 won't burn. My tap spiked up to 500 ppm so I dilute it 1/2 with distilled.