[onegreenday]

Originally Posted by wygram

"To prepare the husk we first hydrate the bale in two 32 gallon containers at least overnight , and then transfer the hydrated husk and excess water to a second container that has had a large number of holes drilled into the bottom, and about six inches up the sides. After the husk drains, a steady stream of water is washed through until it appears to run clear from the container. Then the husk is again transferred back to the solid container and again covered with water with a few ounces each of Calcium Nitrate and Magnesium Sulfate (Cal-Mag in our case) added at least overnight. The draining and washing procedure is repeated again using pure water, with the final rinse being extensive. At this point measurements have revealed virtually no significant leachable salts and a pH just slightly below neutral. The conditioning with calcium and magnesium is done because of the moderate Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of the coconut husk. Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) ions are strongly bound to the CHC. Laboratory comparative analysis of extracts of coconut husk products using distilled water versus a barium chloride solution demonstrate that as much as 2/3 of the Na and K may not be leached by water alone. What then happens is that you cation exchange calcium and magnesium for sodium and potassium in your early fertilized irrigations, creating possible calcium and magnesium deficiencies and sodium and potassium excesses. If you irrigate heavily as we recommend, the problem is quite temporary and limited. Unfortunately, it seems to be more and more common to hear about people using less extensive irrigation practices, and under these circumstances problems may arise. The addition of calcium and magnesium in the wash stages allows for cation exchange to occur then, creating a more balanced state from the start."

This is like the process Atami uses on B'Cuzz Coco only Atami take it further and steam it after the cal/mag. then they rinse it and boost it with starter fert's. A rigorous process they use. Not sure if anybody treats coir fibre the way Atami do. Europe's best selling coco substrate they claim.

[Megas]

Can someone sum up what cocogrowing is cause that UK link doesn't work and I found cocosoil on a website and all it says is:
Cocogro™ is aged 18 to 24 months to avoid pH and nutrient imbalances. It has optimum air to water ratio with 30% air content. Cocogro™ is fully decomposed with stable pH & EC and is flushed of excess sodium. It is inoculated with Mychorrhizae and trichoderma fungi.

sounds like nothing special?

[onegreenday]

Originally Posted by Megas

Can someone sum up what cocogrowing is cause that UK link doesn't work and I found cocosoil on a website and all it says is:
Cocogro™ is aged 18 to 24 months to avoid pH and nutrient imbalances. It has optimum air to water ratio with 30% air content. Cocogro™ is fully decomposed with stable pH & EC and is flushed of excess sodium. It is inoculated with Mychorrhizae and trichoderma fungi.

sounds like nothing special?

American Agritech has sourced the world ’s most premium coir fiber. COCOGRO ™ has a very low salt content that is available in 34 ”double-sieved long fibers to reduce dust and give ample space within the mix. COCOGRO ™ has excellent drainage properties and can be used over a longer period of time than coir fiber with shorter fibers. With longer fibers and reduced dust, growers will experience an optimal air to water ratio, which is vital for strong root development. COCOGRO ™ is unique because it is not chemically treated like other coir fibers on the market. COCOGRO ™ is a superior coir fiber because it is aged a minimum of 18 months and has finished its decomposition stage. In addition, COCOGRO ™ is exposed to rain water from at least three monsoon seasons, which naturally washes away harmful salts out of the final product. Most other coir fibers are only 4 to 5 months old and have excessive potassium and salts and thus have to be chemically treated.

Botanicare cocogro a very nice coir product low in TDS. Low Ph.
very clean and uniform and nice fibres.

i transplanted into cocogro & Roots Organics potting soil and
big thick roots shot right to the bottom & out the holes in the pot in days. I can't wait to break open the root ball to see how the roots look..........

[Megas]

Originally Posted by onegreenday

American Agritech has sourced the world ’s most premium coir fiber. COCOGRO ™ has a very low salt content that is available in 34 ”double-sieved long fibers to reduce dust and give ample space within the mix. COCOGRO ™ has excellent drainage properties and can be used over a longer period of time than coir fiber with shorter fibers. With longer fibers and reduced dust, growers will experience an optimal air to water ratio, which is vital for strong root development. COCOGRO ™ is unique because it is not chemically treated like other coir fibers on the market. COCOGRO ™ is a superior coir fiber because it is aged a minimum of 18 months and has finished its decomposition stage. In addition, COCOGRO ™ is exposed to rain water from at least three monsoon seasons, which naturally washes away harmful salts out of the final product. Most other coir fibers are only 4 to 5 months old and have excessive potassium and salts and thus have to be chemically treated.

Botanicare cocogro a very nice coir product low in TDS. Low Ph.
very clean and uniform and nice fibres.

i transplanted into cocogro & Roots Organics potting soil and
big thick roots shot right to the bottom & out the holes in the pot in days. I can't wait to break open the root ball to see how the roots look..........

I guess I'm still a bit confused, so is it a moss? I think the fibers thing is whats throwing me here

[onegreenday]

it's the inside off the coconut between the big seed & the shell so it's fibre with
better quality of drainage than peat. there's sticky's to read & hit youtube search canna for the 3 part videos on coco fibre. it's very good...

[shishkebab]

my coco bricks have an ec of 1.5 ms/cm. is that ok?

[onegreenday]

that seems a little high.
how about a flush after you soak.

[shishkebab]

i dont have an ec meter. i asked the seller of the bricks and he told me what the ec is. do you think the flushing will do the trick?

[onegreenday]

i think so. coco coir has a lot of K potassium inside of fibre
watch overdose. needs Nitrogen, calcium & magnesium to fill
the pores to start and balance with the K in the fibre
start off slow with nutes & work up.

[shishkebab]

i will try. thanks