Should I switch to coco?

[ShortStackz]

I always wanted to go hydro because of the better yield but didn't want to have to setup or buy the equipment. Last grow I did dj's true blueberry & got about 7oz off 3 plants scrog in a 2.5x2.5x2.5x2.5 FT area with a 600w hps. Would coco really give me an increase in yield? Also I read that some people flush there coco before using, whats that about? Thanks

 

[Work2much]

I think you'll find that most here that have gone coco will not go back. It has faster veg times, thus bigger overall growth, and thus bigger yield. Maybe not quite as fast as NFT/Aero/DWC, but close and much less maintenance. It can take a few runs to get dialed in, as most mediums do, but try Canna coco flushed to 5.8 with FloraNova its a proven combo thats cost effective.

Flushing is generally used to make sure theres no built up salts in the cheaper brands of coco but I flush the good stuff also and check runoff untill it hits 5.8.

 

[Bush Dr]

As well as switching to coco you should go 'vertical' to keep your temps down

With 6 plants around the lamp you should average over 3oz per plant running a 600W

Flushing before use is done to baled coco to rinse the salt out, 3 or 4 soaks are required, whilst being a lot cheaper baled coco takes a lot of preparation and needs treating with trychoderma to protect the roots

Bagged coco is all I use

 

[Seismic]

After switching from organic soil, and using a modified version of h3ads formula I have been really impressed by the results of the coco. I would say it's worth the switch.

 

[bambam]

Do try coco. If its your first time in a hydro you will never try another way. I can bet money on that. Simple and very good for a lazy grower like myself. Hell i like to do other things like trim,LST,Top,dial in new cuts ect. Love growing and love how the coco makes it simple as plant and feed. Good luck with your coco ride. Post up some pics when you get her going. I use Pureblendpro grow and bloom. Simple one part if thats your style.BamBam

 

[Ulysses]

DJ's 'Blue Family' loves coco run a bit on the drier side of the equation...

True Blueberry is gourmet headstash- usually not known for it's yeild which is still better than some. I'd increase the veg time and aim to get more nodes and branches that will give you more buddage... 7z off three? You're doing good as it is, IHMO!

Good Luck. Make some seeds- that strain is extinct and will become increasingly rare in the years to come.

 

[EMj]

DJ's 'Blue Family' loves coco run a bit on the drier side of the equation...

True Blueberry is gourmet headstash-

Good Luck. Make some seeds- that strain is extinct and will become increasingly rare in the years to come.

True Blueberry is extinct? Is DJ still making seeds does anyone know? It's been awhile.

Peace

 

[Wait...What?]

I'll surely run dwc and rockwool slabs again, but I'm a better gardener for having learned coco

 

[slappyjack]

As well as switching to coco you should go 'vertical' to keep your temps down

With 6 plants around the lamp you should average over 3oz per plant running a 600W

Flushing before use is done to baled coco to rinse the salt out, 3 or 4 soaks are required, whilst being a lot cheaper baled coco takes a lot of preparation and needs treating with trychoderma to protect the roots

Bagged coco is all I use

I've used bailed, compressed coco for two years and don't even know what trychoderma is, and I've never pre-flushed. Just add CNS17 and water.

Perhaps a bit of clarification?

 

[ShortStackz]

Thanks for the comments. I just got 2 giant blocks of it that I plan on using with PBP for the ssh.

Ulysses, ya 7oz. Last time I ran it I meesed up and got only about 8grams of her. I got 2 different phenos I'm keeping for moms & a male for seeds but thats later down the line.

 

[Tony Danza]

2.5x2.5x2.5x2.5 FT area

Do you grow your weed outside the space time continuum?

And yes, you should try coco. Of course, you did ask the question in the coco forum.

 

[DrunkenMessiah]

I have for you an alternate suggestion:

If you are a long-time soil grower, a lover of organics or just like a more low-maintenance growing style then you could consider a hybrid technique. My organic bubble bath tubs are a mix between coco moss, deep water culture hydro and normal organic soil growing. It hinges on a strong microbial and mychorrhize population to autonomously manage the Ph without input from the grower along as acting as a secondary immune system, built-in drout resistance and other benefits. It manages growth rates very similar to DWC hydro as it has that ubiquious hydro benefit: forced oxygen injection. This allows you to maintain a water 'bath' that the roots can exand into. This drastically reduces maintinence as you only have to water and fertilize about once a week. For this reason it can be hand-watered with relative ease, although some sort of drip-style automated watering system would certainly be possible.

If you like the idea of hydro-esque growth rates without having to constantly babysit the Ph, micro-manage your nutrients and live in constant fear of accidental starvation or nute burn then you should give the organic bubble bath tubs a look. Click the link in my sig for a fairly straightforward schematic of a basic twin-valve bubble bath tub. This is a slightly more advanced version of the basic concept (that user PrayForPistils has been giving a whirl lately) which allows for full-blown flush-starve-and-feed regiment which is a trick that hydro growers have been using to make us medium-based growers look bad for years. If it sounds interesting at all you should have a look. Good luck and happy gardening!

-DM

 

[Bush Dr]

slappyjack ..... "One of primary concerns of using coconut coir as a hydroponic medium is salt content. Coconut husks have a naturally high amount of salt, and that might negatively affect your conductivity and cause salt buildup. Most of the bagged coconut coir is thoroughly rinsed before it is sold, but much of the cheaper coconut fiber you find usually contains high levels of salt. If you can, opt for the higher quality, pre rinsed medium. If you use baled you should rinse it with fresh, pH balanced water before placing it in your growing trays or buckets."

Trychoderma are root beneficial bacteria

Sounds like you've been lucky

 

[mpd]

I've grown every way there is to grow other than straight-up aeroponics. Pump-n-Dump, DWC, SWC, filmin' and various combinations in dirt. I use the SAI brand of coir and have always been impressed with the results. You want trees, then you need coir to power your root zone to whole new levels of development.

 

[ShortStackz]

Well its been about a week now that I transplanted the plants & all of them are taking off. Even the ssh clone transplated the other day took right off growing right after transplanting unlike with soil I noticed there would be some lag/recovery time between transplants. Thanks all for the help.

 

[Guest 18340]

slappyjack ..... "One of primary concerns of using coconut coir as a hydroponic medium is salt content. Coconut husks have a naturally high amount of salt, and that might negatively affect your conductivity and cause salt buildup. Most of the bagged coconut coir is thoroughly rinsed before it is sold, but much of the cheaper coconut fiber you find usually contains high levels of salt. If you can, opt for the higher quality, pre rinsed medium. If you use baled you should rinse it with fresh, pH balanced water before placing it in your growing trays or buckets."

Trychoderma are root beneficial bacteria

Sounds like you've been lucky

The quote you posted makes it seem like all baled coco is cheaper quality and therefore must be rinsed before using. That is absolutely NOT true.
I use baled Botanicare coco and the only prep i do is hydrate, scoop into the pot i'm gonna use, drop in the clone, water with nuted water, thats it.
I have NEVER EVER had a def or problem doing it this way.
Is their more to that quote?

 

[SuperConductor]

Evilme2 I presume there is more than one type of bailed coco and that botanicare is one of the better brands around? Imagine if you will someone buying a cheaper bail that doesn't have the prep the the botanicare or canna stuff has and is just taken straight from soaking in the sea (very salty) compressed and sold. If it's an unknown or generic brand I'd rinse it and check the ec of the run-off just to make sure

Trychoderma are root beneficial bacteria

Trichoderman are actually a type of fungi that live in an sort of a symbiotic relationship with roots and act like an extended root system. So if you want microbial activity you still need to add it

 

[Bush Dr]

Thanks SC .....

Evilme2 ....... no there's no more, it's just a general statement which I was asked to post about rinsing coco

 

[Guest 18340]

Evilme2 I presume there is more than one type of bailed coco and that botanicare is one of the better brands around? Imagine if you will someone buying a cheaper bail that doesn't have the prep the the botanicare or canna stuff has and is just taken straight from soaking in the sea (very salty) compressed and sold. If it's an unknown or generic brand I'd rinse it and check the ec of the run-off just to make sure



Couldnt agree with you more. ANY no name coco, be it in bale form or bag or brick, should absolutely get rinsed THOROUGHLY. Botanicare, canna, etc are high quality and alot of folks dont bother rinsing them , myself included.
The lesson here; Buy quality coco whenever possible.

As an aside, I'm curious as to the success or failure of guys who are using off brand coco. Seriously. Ya never know when ya need coco in a pinch and cant find any quality stuff...

 

[walkndude]

botanicare coco is only 12 bucks for a 5kg bale that expands to 70 liters. Just wish i had switched a long time ago. The only thing that threw me a little was it smells like a vinyl pool liner after being hydrated.