squarepush3r
Member
To what degree does nitrification occur in coco coir, and can an all ammonium nitrogen source be sufficient for growing in this medium?
Nitrification in Coco Coir
- Thread starter squarepush3r
- Start date
S
SeaMaiden
I think it's difficult to quantify nitrification without testing all cycles, NH3/NH4 --> NO2 --> NO3, in any medium. I know it can occur, definitely. I would absolutely not qualify an all NH4 source as acceptable unless the grower is absolutely certain to have a good number of microbes cultured or ready to be cultured.
squarepush3r
Member
So in your opinion SeaMaiden, continue to use "Hydroponic" type fertilizer when using coco coir, mainly high Nitrate NO3 type Nitrogen sources?
S
SeaMaiden
I would agree with going for nitrate or higher nitrate N sources, yes. I'm not saying it can't be done with ammonia/ammonium, but generally I've found my annuals, cannabis included, just seem to get that vegetative growth going better when I stick with NO3, generally.
S
SeaMaiden
DP. Having weird issues with the ICM server.
Y
YosemiteSam
I don't know the answer to the question...but I am at 20% NH4 and 80% NO3 in basically a 50/50 mix of coco/#3 perlite with some ewc chunked in. I do it to balance with the alkalinity of my water, so that the pH in the root zone maintains itself.
So, not sure how far you can go...but you can go that far.
So, not sure how far you can go...but you can go that far.
squarepush3r
Member
that sounds fair, basically assuming CaNO3 as a primary nitrogen source is pretty standard in hydroponic industry, but specifically not using any 'ammonium' products, and certainly not 'urea' ferts.
Y
YosemiteSam
I am using Yara Liva CaNO3....which still has some NH4 in it and then combining ammonium phosphate for the rest of the N and most of the P. Total works out to be 20% NH4...no NH3 used.
Water alkalinity is around 60 ppm.
Water alkalinity is around 60 ppm.
