Something to mix in with coco?

[ivanic]

Currently using 11L square plastic pots with just coco, iv just bought some square root bags similar to smart pots but square in the 5 gal (22L) size.

Would i benefit by mixing in any other mediums, like a layer of hydroton on the top, or a mixture of perlite etc

There being fed with a high pressure drip ring. (looped drip line with t's etc).

 

[SOTF420]

Mix in 1/3 hydroton your plants will thank you.

Pretty much the best mixer in hydro with Coir and gives better aeration & structure imo plus contains high amounts of silica which helps the overall structure of your plant for stronger stems and better disease & pest resistance. I always mix hydroton with my coir and always have fantastic results. I mix hydroton in with organic soils too wonderful stuff & Cannabis loves it!

Shown is a clone in a rockwool cube sitting on top of a coir/hydroton mix in drip hydro

Organic soil with a decent amount of hydroton mixed in

 

[NachoConQueso]

Something to mix in with coco?

Currently using 11L square plastic pots with just coco, iv just bought some square root bags similar to smart pots but square in the 5 gal (22L) size.

Would i benefit by mixing in any other mediums, like a layer of hydroton on the top, or a mixture of perlite etc

There being fed with a high pressure drip ring. (looped drip line with t's etc).

Some people like perlite or hydroton like the other guy suggested. Honestly I don't waste the time. I have a similar setup and I might try throwing a layer of perlite or rocks on top or mixing in perlite for fun, but I doubt it will do anything except keep me a little more busy.

 

[SOTF420]

Honestly I don't waste the time.

throwing a layer of perlite or rocks on top or mixing in perlite for fun

I doubt it will do anything except keep me a little more busy.

Now there is some solid advice!

 

[Snow Crash]

I am having really great success right now using a product called "GrowStones"

I use a mix of Botanicare Coco, Roots Organic (which contains Perlite) and Growstones. The final mixture is about 50% coco, 30% Roots Organic (1/3 of which is perlite) and 20% GrowStones.

The Growstones are made from recycled bottles, so they are waste friendly and sustainable. They look and feel quite a bit like a soft pummice stone or lava rock and range in size quite a bit but are generally about the size of pebbles no larger than 2cm.

The roots seem to latch to the stones (similar to how vines climb up soft brick and stucco walls) and spiderweb out. The stones wick moisture from the surrounding coco then it is channeled directly into the root attachments.

The perlite adds that little bit extra which keeps the aeration high enough so that I can water as frequently as I like once the root zone is filled in.

 

[NachoConQueso]

Now there is some solid advice!

Haha yeah I'm worthless.

 

[ivanic]

thanks for the replies! SOTF420 do you fully mix in the hydroton with the coco or just use it as a top layer. If i went with the perlite, hydroton and coco mix what mix ratio would you use? Bare in mind i already have a 11L square pot full of just coco. So need to make up 11L to fill the rest of the pot

 

[mooseknuckle]

1

 

[SergeantGod]

i just use straight coco, canna or b'cuzz or biobizz right out of the bag.

no mixing.... get great, great plants

 

[Bud Spleefman]

I've used straight coco, coco with a 2" layer of hydroton on the bottom, and now I am doing like 50/50 coco with chunky perlite. If I was hand watering once a day I'd use straight coco, with nothing else. Since I am using a top feed drain to waste, 4 times a day, I like the extra air and faster drying time of a 50/50 mix. They all work, it depends on your growing technique which one is right for you.

 

[TheCatsMeow]

sounds like you should do a couple different side by side mixes and see what you like!

 

[ivanic]

i usually feed once a day about 3L in a 11L pot, but when i get these new 5gal square fabric pots im going to feed 3 times a day, not sure on the amount yet, the last feed having a tiny bit of run off. If using perlite with my coco will it dry out alot quicker?

 

[Bud Spleefman]

If using perlite with my coco will it dry out alot quicker?

Yes.

 

[SergeantGod]

agree with bud spleefman

 

[Vegan]

depending on the brand i will add perlite..thats about it/,,