How much perlite? or not

[emerald city]

Just started playing with coco so i dont know if my question is commen knowledge but ill ask anyways...Do any of you cut your coco with perlite?If so ,how much?? Ive been noticing that plants in the smaller containers, the roots have a sweet spot where they grow best,not as good growth on the very bottom...Thought by adding perlite a bit more aireation/drainage mite be a good thing? Any thoughts? thanks . E/C

 

[Zen Master]

I always use perlite in my bigger coco containers, if its a beer cup or smaller I use straight coco sometimes.

I am currently using 25% perlite in some 2/3 gallon smart pots, I've done 50/50 and it required water more often is all.

 

[Ember1]

I also cut it with perlite. Percentage varies depending on the coco itself. For really fine coco, maybe 30-40%, for coarse coco, stuff that won't compact as much over time, I use less, maybe 20%.

In hempy, I always fill the bottom of the reservoir with straight perlite. This helps the coco to drain into it better than straight coco so you don't develop an over soggy root zone.

 

[SergeantGod]

i use straight bio-bizz, canna, or b'cuzz right out of the bag. never had a problem. i grow in 3 gallon pots, never transplanting from clone. i veg for 3-4 weeks, then move to flower. veg any longer and you will need to transplant into a bigger pot.

 

[Chomp]

I use straight coco from seed to weed and never cut it...you don't need to add anything...it's a waste of time IMHO. Just make sure you rinse it very well and pre-charge it with nutrient solution either canna specific or add cal/mag. I use GH flora micro/bloom lucas formula and add cal/mag.

Good luck bro
Chomp

 

[maxmurder]

i got a bag of royal gold "tupur" (2per) and my plants like better than straight coco- but i suck at coco sooooooo.....

 

[Granger2]

Just started playing with coco so i dont know if my question is commen knowledge but ill ask anyways...Do any of you cut your coco with perlite?If so ,how much?? Ive been noticing that plants in the smaller containers, the roots have a sweet spot where they grow best,not as good growth on the very bottom...Thought by adding perlite a bit more aireation/drainage mite be a good thing? Any thoughts? thanks . E/C

Just finished first coco grow, and I'm up on top of the band wagon cracking the whip. In 3 gal EJ Aero bags, with Canna Coco I used 25% regular perlite in the bottom 3 inches, filled up with 15%. Perlite is not essential, but is inert, mas o menos. Makes it more forgiving for people like me who need every break we can get.

Plenty of people get great results with straight coco. Buena suerte.

 

[mg75]

perlite might be beneficial if you can water more often. more air to the roots is good in my book.

but...

how big is your garden and where are you going to dump the used coco/perlite mix once done?

perlite sticks out like a sore thumb... even if you dump it in your back yard. have you considered coco chips? hydroton?

think stealth...

 

[Chomp]

If you're going to do a hempy type grow then you probably need perlite or hydroton in the bottom where the res will be....but as long as you have really good drainage in your pots and allow the roots to fill them before transplanting then you don't need it IMHO.

Chomp

 

[L-Immortal]

Used perlite in coco in the past and I feel that it actually can hinder you in coco. All that 10-20% or whatever you may be using is just wasted space that could be more coco and more food and water for your plants. Coco has plenty of elasticity and room for roots to run. If you were talking soil than it would be different but we are talking coco and I vote no crutch(s) in your coco. Just 100% pure coco and you will find the promised land

 

[emerald city]

Apreciate the input of knowledge from all who took the time...So far im sticking to the straight coco for a while,play it out so to speak..I have started to give my pots a small shake after the majority of the irragation has passed threw.Seems to help the bottom 1" of coco from being overly water logged that first day,yes im watering by hand slow as it is.
Just rooted the first cuttings in straight coco..Cant belive how ropey and rugged the roots look compared to promix.Also the cuts didnt need the use of a humdity dome..
Last observation of coco ,Im loving the fact that what ever im putting in the top is comeing out the same or close too,at the bottom...ec 1.5 in =ec 1.6/7 out..ph in 5.8=ph out 5.9/6.0...Love it....A medium thats easy to control[cec wise]....
Cant wait to open the next bale...E/C out

 

[Chomp]

Yes once you get used to it coco freakin rocks ec....

Good Luck!
Chomp

 

[emerald city]

Yes once you get used to it coco freakin rocks ec....

Good Luck!
Chomp

Yeah,the mere fact of change can freak me out...On the initial pre-charge of nutes i took;
1# 1 -5k botanicare coco brick
2# added 1 gallon of h20 plus 1/2 tsp botanicare cal/maG
3# 1 gallon h20-1/2 tsp great white
4# 1 gallon h20
let set for 24 hours then mix..When useing for the first time for cuttings i mixed up 1 gallon of h20 with EITHER 1/4 tsp maxi gro OR 1/4 tsp of the general hydro flora series.. once rooted or over transplant shock start uping the nutes...
So far so good...thanks ...E/C

 

[SicKSKills]

in the future one option if you want to run coco/plite mix try botanicare ready grow moisture formula, premixed so you don't have to and reasonably priced too. Ive had equally good results with and without perlite.

 

[DasFox]

Canna coco, no perlite, great results.

THANKS

 

[guest456mpy]

3 straight years of 100% GH coco bricks (no perlite) with great results.

 

[Solidopc]

I allways cut coco with perlite. The coco can become too dense and saturated i find for good root health, alot like soil but not as bad. Perlite helps aeration to the rootzone and drainage, and in my experience the plants grow quicker than with straight coco. I usually add about 30% perlite if hand-watering, but with a res tank feeding, up to 50%.

 

[ChickenChaser]

Coco holds 22% air even when fully saturated! and has excellent drainage. imo it is a waste of time adding perlite, just makes for more cost and labour with transportation of it and the time spend mixing.
Bit of info on coco - http://urbangardenmagazine.com/2008/12/coco-coir-hydroponic-uses/

 

[medical marvel]

true.. in my casei tend to use a bit of perlite in early veg, until the roots are well established ( smaller containers )..this time of year
, even with a heater, the temps can get a little low, so a bit of aeration in the root zone stops the coco from being too cold.