soil compaction

[shuswap]

okay this may be true,but for instance why does coco usually net higher yields and smaller pots used to produce what larger pts do? it is my understanding that the roots get more of a wet dry effect and that gives coco the growth rate similar to hydroponics? more air in the rootzone?

 

[umbralindigo]

Brother shuswap, that pic of the girl is getting burned into my brain , cant stop looking...

Hey, so, I personally don't think coco does get so much bigger per pot or net higher yields.
Every gardener is different and every garden is different.

That said, I used coco for years. Coco can bog up on you like none other bro. Seriously, if you over-water you better have a hot room to help them suck it all up. I know that because of its water holding ability it "naturally" can use less humus in a mix with it.
I used gypsum with it always. Otherwise I would get a cal/mag lockout (uh-huh) from the excess potassium it contains inherently.
I am now only peat based at the moment, and in a year leaf mold based and compost only.

I think that coco gives an appearance of health, but it may only be aesthetic.

The living soil i use now has no comparison. Terpene profiles, and aromatic essential oil is at a max. I am smelling and tasting a full range of things from different strains.

I would trade coco any day for peat and compost. Again, I used it for nearly a decade. IMO it ain't worth it.

 

[non]

does this soil compaction matter at smaller scale, say 2-4 gallon volumes?

 

[dank.frank]

http://www.permatill.com/home-garden-products.php?cat=8



dank.Frank

 

[shuswap]

interesting dank,when I google it I come up with "Slate is an all natural medium mined in the United States from volcanic slate which is then rotary kiln fired to over 2000 degrees" any idea what this compared to lava rock for landscaping would be?

 

[bigshrimp]

Its a water mover, it holds quite a bit of water at low tension. This means it will let go of that water fairly easily - somewhat of a wicking action. Its also not supposed to break down ever.

Other than that haydite is mediocre in other aspects (CEC, air holding capacity, weight)

If its cost effective to put in your mix its a good amendment. I haven't used it as primary aeration material, but it seems to play nice with other ammendments.

 

[Rocketman64]

a great source for horticulture answers

a great source for horticulture answers

I've posted this on several occasions, usually when something comes up that I know is discussed somewhere on this web page. This is a link to a collection of myths Dr.Linda Chalker-Scott from the University of Washington tries to debunk. There's everything on this page from fertilizers to mulch. It also has a brief explanation of soil compaction. The explanation deals more with how vibrations from vehicle traffic effects soil compaction in an urban environment but there's a quick explanation as to what the general cause of compaction is. I use this link every time something comes up I need answers to, it's become my 'go-to' for most questions. Sorry if you've seen it before but it's really worth re-posting for those who have not:

http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/Horticultural Myths_files/index.html