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bobblehead overtakes

Ichabod Crane

Well-known member
Veteran
Before you tear it down and after you move your grow I can help you do a market analysis to see if it is worth repairing if you like.
 

Mister_D

Active member
Veteran
Actually adding perlite does increase the water retention in coco because the coco has more room to expand. I think it's like 10-20% perlite. When you start adding more perlite, then there is less coco to hold water, so it doesn't hold as much.

Maybe i'm a bit dense today, but I don't see how adding perlite that takes up space allows coco to expand more to increase it's water holding capacity? Please explain.


I'm only in 45 gallons for my biggest and it would be MUCH easier to use Blumats on my outdoor grow....something to consider for next year.

Thought you were doing 200's for some reason, meh stoner mind :laughing:. If blumats are too much for the budget this year, you could always go with drippers. They're cheap ;). If you are going to hand water though, I wouldn't go more the 50% coco in your base mix. Depends on how often you and grobro want to water though also. Just remember faster wet dry cycles make for bigger nugs :biggrin:. Work vs. reward.....
 

bobblehead

Active member
Veteran
Before you tear it down and after you move your grow I can help you do a market analysis to see if it is worth repairing if you like.

That would be awesome! I have your number. :woohoo:

Maybe i'm a bit dense today, but I don't see how adding perlite that takes up space allows coco to expand more to increase it's water holding capacity? Please explain.

somewhere around here there's a thread where a guy poured water into a pot of coco and a pot of coco/perlite... and the mix held more water. I can't find it, so I had to go all scientific on ya.

Perlite


Even the highest quality coco coir may become saturated and compressed over a 10 or so week growing cycle. For this reason, I recommend mixing perlite with coir at a 70 (% coco substrate), 30 (% perlite) rate. This ensures optimum AFP at 30% throughout the crop cycle. I.e. Perlite has approximately 40- 45% AFP and will increase AFP in the coir.



Research has shown that the addition of either burnt rice hull or perlite at a ratio of 30/70 (30% burnt rice hull or perlite to 70% coir) improves growth rates in coir.



Results of this study indicated that certain chemical and physical properties of cocopeat can be improved through incorporation of burnt rice hull or perlite. The positive effects of burnt rice hull or perlite were seen in the elevation of nutrient availability (as indicated by higher EC), increased bulk density, air-filled porosity, available water and wettability. Improvement in chemical and physical properties following incorporation of burnt rice hull or perlite into cocopeat was reflected in a better plant growth.1


Each particle of perlite consists of tiny air cells that provide for a large surface area. Because of the shape of perlite, large air gaps form between the particles. This means there is plenty of oxygen available to the root system.


Perlite doesn’t compact and because of this maintains an ideal balance of oxygen and water (oxygen moisture ratio).



Perlite is very tolerant to overwatering which makes it very forgiving medium. Because of its nature, perlite allows excess water to drain off and provides an air ratio of approximately 40- 45%.


Perlite, like coco, has thermal insulation qualities, which provides the root zone with a high degree of security against heat.



Perlite is a very cost effective medium. It is about half the price of expanded clay.


http://www.manicbotanix.com/hydroponic-grow-guide/coco-growing.html




I guess perlite holds more water than coco... So I'm wrong about the coco expanding... but rather the perlite is holding the water.
 
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Grizz

Active member
Veteran
never ask bobble to explain shit, you get a page of quotes and data, just take his word for it
 
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D

DHF

I gotta say I always did what I was told that worked and went with it..No questions cuz I knew who was schoolin me.....

.Mr D.......You`re dead on in 1 respect on added aeration , but.......

Chunky perlite most definitely retains moisture cuz of it`s porosity and releases it slower than the coco chunks and stringy fibers.........and...

That`s the reason I used it for insurance since I only fed once a day and visited each setup only once a week......anyways....

Bobbles.....We`re behind yas on whatever decision yas make to make your life easier and more productive........

Basement`s rule and all else drool.....

Peace...Freds....:ying:......
 

Arminius

"I'm not a pezzamist, I am an optometrist"
Veteran
I have about 20 #2 smart pots in coco. I added about 20% of a silica rock by Botanicare, Hygrolite I believe.
It holds water like a fucking sponge, and is supposed to hold the nutrients until the plant is ready for it. I watered the hell out of them last night, and the rocks absorbed all the runoff. So far I am pleased with it.
 

b00m

~No Guts~ ~No Glory~
Mentor
Veteran
Always lurking and watching and learning bro :good:
Sending you and yours Good Vibes from Down Under :gday: :friends:
:smoke out:
 

megayields

Grower of Connoisseur herb's.
ICMag Donor
Veteran
never ask bobble to explain shit, you get a page of quotes and data, just take his word for it

heheheh well he is my "go to guy" for any questions I have, and he did study Biology which is MUCH more than I did, although I do live with someone who HAD to study Biology for her degree.

Bobble thank you for the very informative analysis of CoCo and Perlite mix etc.....I probably understood about 45-55% of it but that is more than I usually do.

I just emptied the flower room and am saving ALL the CoCo.... so I am going to get some perlite tomorrow and start putting all the USD in the Veg room into the 25 #10 gallon plastic bags...you should see my backyard holy cow! (pictures to come).....I just gotta remember to leave little aisles so gro-bro can get in between everything and water.
 

megayields

Grower of Connoisseur herb's.
ICMag Donor
Veteran
I have about 20 #2 smart pots in coco. I added about 20% of a silica rock by Botanicare, Hygrolite I believe.
It holds water like a fucking sponge, and is supposed to hold the nutrients until the plant is ready for it. I watered the hell out of them last night, and the rocks absorbed all the runoff. So far I am pleased with it.

Dude can I get that stuff down at SC Hydro in Felton?
 

bobblehead

Active member
Veteran
Napa floor dry is silica stone. Last bag I bought was $7.35 for 25 pounds.

Damn... I'm gonna have to stop be the auto parts store... They're gonna think I'm cleaning up major oil spill and report me to the authorities... maybe it's best to drive around and get a few bags here and a few bags there.... :chin:
 

Bonzo

Active member
Veteran
Howdy bobble :)

Lookin' forward to see your thoughts on the CAP's bennies....

hey im gonna be gettin' some coco ready today and wanted your input on imid treatment...

after what i found with the treatments i did i will definitly be PHing the IMID before i treat...im usin' Roots Organics block coco...its really stringy and its 11 bucks a block...i like it alot after what ive learned this run...anyway...im thinkin' hydrating the blocks with the ph'ed IMID...lettin that sit for a minute then "rinsing" with a lite veg nute/sm90 mix...i would like to be planting/using coco tomorrow so...whats your full procedure for gettin' your coco ready for planting.

i will have some bennies next time i do this :D

thanks dude!:whee:
 

bobblehead

Active member
Veteran
Howdy bobble :)

Lookin' forward to see your thoughts on the CAP's bennies....

hey im gonna be gettin' some coco ready today and wanted your input on imid treatment...

after what i found with the treatments i did i will definitly be PHing the IMID before i treat...im usin' Roots Organics block coco...its really stringy and its 11 bucks a block...i like it alot after what ive learned this run...anyway...im thinkin' hydrating the blocks with the ph'ed IMID...lettin that sit for a minute then "rinsing" with a lite veg nute/sm90 mix...i would like to be planting/using coco tomorrow so...whats your full procedure for gettin' your coco ready for planting.

i will have some bennies next time i do this :D

thanks dude!:whee:

If you want the coco ready for tomorrow, bake it in the oven @ 200F for 20 mins... With imid your supposed to let the pesticide sit for at least 3 days to take full effect. Once you know the coco is sterile, just add bennies. I'll let you knw in a couple weeks what i think of the bennies.
 

Bonzo

Active member
Veteran
think i'll grab a sack of the NAPA stuff as well....any ideas on ratios with it?

snuck that in there dude :D bake it? hydrate (without imid) then bake? hmmmm...maybe i'll let it sit for 3 days...

hmmmm...
 

bobblehead

Active member
Veteran
think i'll grab a sack of the NAPA stuff as well....any ideas on ratios with it?

snuck that in there dude :D bake it? hydrate (without imid) then bake? hmmmm...maybe i'll let it sit for 3 days...

hmmmm...

No, bake it in the oven w/o imid. The heat will cause the proteins in any bugs and larvae to denature, basically making any bug explode. I don't do that b/c i need a lot of coco, and for long term storage it won't work to keep the coco sterile. Bugs can find their way in after the fact.
 

Mister_D

Active member
Veteran
Arminius & Mega - Napa floor dry is the same thing as the hydro store stuff. Little bit smaller pieces is all, but much cheaper ;)

Bonz - I've been playing around with ratios for about a year know. I found if just using coco and floordry, ~30-40% floordry seemed ideal. However this new mix I made with coco chips added in is kicking the shit out of straight coco and any of the coco floordry mixes I tried. Reminds me I should really upload some pics and toss up an update :laughing:
 

Bonzo

Active member
Veteran
yes you should upload pics dude!! :D i am definitely gonna be grabbin' some chips...what brand did ya get? i just made a perlite/coco mix...its what i had...gonna pick up some NAPA coco enhancer as well:woohoo:
 

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