Coco Tek.. the regs of coco?

[lysol]

I just got a 24 pack of GH coco tek. Its seriously like the regs of coco. The other stuff I had was course, like fibrous mulch. This is like ground up, almost like a dirt-like consistency.

Anyone using this stuff in their grows?

 

[Guywithoutajeep]

nope, but dont judge quality on the coarseness or fineness of the coco. I use B'Cuzz and its pretty chopped up. I'd wash that shit for sure though. People tell me not to wash the Bcuzz because its already super dank, but I had some serious issues initially with the coco. Now I wash everytime and zero problems since.

 

[lysol]

Yeah not judging it just yet. I say its the regs because it literally looks like regs. lol. Like all dirt with some sticks.

One hand that means less air/root space, on the other hand maybe its softer on the roots...

 

[shaunmulok]

is this the stuff
http://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=14053&pictureid=283508
if so i have used it my last 5 grows and i love it, no bugs and its clean stuff it doesn't need much of a flush

 

[lysol]

Yeah different packaging though http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/cocotek-brick-case24-p-251.html

Thanks bro.. have you used any of the more coarse ones for comparison? Did you water daily with it? Or cut it with perlite or anything?

 

[lysol]

Here is what h3ad has to say in his thread. I was looking around at various pictures and it looks like some of the coco tek bricks are coarse, some are not.

One factor worth mentioning... I have noticed that the coco which works best in my garden has alot of fiber strands in it and coarser particles... When I get a brick that is mostly fine particles (like coco dirt, pretty much) then issues pop up more often and it has to be treated more 'pro-mix-ish'.

When the bricks are the right consistency of fibers and particles, then coco seems to integrate the better aspects of rock wool and pro mix into one product.

even different bricks and bales from the same manufacturer can be different.

 

[shaunmulok]

No i didn't cut it with anything and i haven't noticed any difference in grades of coco
towards the end of flower i water twice daily

 

[thc43]

build up a friendly bacteria culture in setup for a couple of days before planting if you think the coco is suspect but its good to do regardless, cannazym, biobugs, enzyme type products and a root tonic would get you off to a flying start.

 

[lysol]

On the right is a "crop circles" (circular brick) from worm's way
On the left is from one of the GH coco tek bricks

Just for a side by side visual.

The coco tek is supposed to be a "mix" of small/large pieces. I don't think it got mixed that well at the factory.

 

[GrnMtnGrwr]

The Cocotek with the green label is fine, the Cocotek with the red label is mixed. Which did you have?

 

[lysol]

red label

 

[GrnMtnGrwr]

^^^ Green Label

 

[lysol]

So if "fine" works then "mixed" must too. Thanks. Rolling laughing at how your "fine" has bigger chips then the "mixed". I got 23 more bricks to break down tho.

 

[Daddy-O]

.

 

[lysol]

The green label is "fine". Assume he means "fine" as in granular, not as in "alright to use".

Since red is mixed there would be no point to mixing it with the fine, it already has "fine" in it.

 

[Daddy-O]

.

 

[lysol]

The "mixed" is definitely not chunky. That was the whole point of me starting this thread. Must have went right over your head lol.

Did you bother to see my pic ? http://www.icmag.com/ic/attachment.php?attachmentid=46407&d=1266976056 On the right is what chunky coco looks like, on the left is the coco-tek (more like coco-dirt)

If you want chunks then buy "crop circles" or something labeled "croutons". My dad also buys this stuff for his orchids and gets the chunky stuff from his orchid vendors.

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/crop-circles.html <- these are very good quality from sri lanka, the world's #1 coco producer in terms of volume.

This organic potting medium is coarser than most coco products which results in a far superior air to water ratio

 

[thc43]

canna coco has been around for a long time and works as well as the best of the coco mediums. This is a fine ground coco of 7 different size particals sived to sepperate.

MOst of the coco ive used hygen, yates, canna, bcuzz is all fine ground just treated differently some is buffered, some steamed, some infused with trichoderma. THe bigger chuck or rough cut coco i have only seen online and in a mulch form at my local hardware too many stringy bits to use as a hydro meduim.

THe rough coco you have there looks clean and basicly the same as fine so no real issue there, id choose the fine as first pick just because you have less chance of having air pockets and it mixes better with perlite/ clay or river sand.

But in saying that ive not used it and the coarse cut may be better suited to say recycling your nute vs run to waste.. Id remove any overly large peices and any stringy bits, wet then slightly tap the pots to remove any air pockets before planting.

Good luck if your coco has been steam sterilised get some friendly bacteria in the mix from day one you dont want the bad bacteria taking over.

 

[MarquisBlack]

Green Label is where it's at. I like it much better than B'cuzz. I also don't care for mulchy coco.

 

[slowandeasy]

Anyone else like the Green Label Coco Tek? Looking at trying some.