I'm currently in rockwool and will start experimenting with these slabs but would like some feedback. They come in repellent (RP) and absorptive (AB) versions. The AB is supposed to act similarly to rockwool in regards to moisture retention. The RP sounds interesting as it almost seems like a neutral medium with excellent oxygenation capabilities. You obviously would have to feed more often with the RP but seems like this version offers some advantages...almost like a big slab of Rapid Rooter (RR) type medium available through the grow without medium degradation issues. Some have said RR's break down and can cause minor problems. I've also heard you can reuse coco for another cycle or two but in a slab you can't yank the main part of the root structure without pulling a bunch of the medium and this seems like it would be more of a problem with the RP stuff. I've fondled the RP material and it feels like a very stiff RR and pretty 'rubbery'. It's like the coco has been coated.

Any input about anything I've posted would be helpful...thanx..

[BlueBear]

I have used GH loose coco without any problems and all of the stuff you are talking about sounds right on to me..
Adieu

Amazing no one else can give feedback about coco slabs in a coco forum...later y'all.

[gaiusmarius]

sorry mate don't know about those particular GH slabs. if they are good quality, that is to say, well flushed and buffered, inoculated etc. then they should provide a great medium to replace your rw slabs.

feels coated in rubber huh? wow that sounds interesting. you gonna give them a shot?

feels coated in rubber huh? wow that sounds interesting. you gonna give them a shot?

The repellent version is coated with something for sure. Otherwise it would be absorbent. I guess in this instance the coco almost becomes a non factor. This type is a very inert medium but with the benefits of very high root zone aeration. You'd have to increase feed cycles as the medium does not absorb anything but this can be beneficial. I do not believe the absorbent version is inoculated but am sure the coco is of high quality.

Best comparison I can make to the repellent version is a Rapid Rooter without the breakdown issues the RR's have. Since RR's are really for starts only then it's really not a problem.

...and yes I will eventually give the repellent version a shot but I don't consider that growing in coco though.

Originally Posted by gaiusmarius

sorry mate don't know about those particular GH slabs. if they are good quality, that is to say, well flushed and buffered, inoculated etc. then they should provide a great medium to replace your rw slabs.

feels coated in rubber huh? wow that sounds interesting. you gonna give them a shot?

this is what they look like







its made of corse fibers that are covered in latex

Yeah...latex sounds about right as that's what Rapid Rooters use. At least with the slabs the coco will not break down like the composted tree bark base of the RR's.

[gaiusmarius]

interesting i must say. i wonder how the gnats and their thrice damned larva like that stuff?

[Kenny Lingus]

I've seen those (and used one as a return line filter for a NFT style veg tray.)
The latex seemed to dissolve and lump up in the joining points of the fibre hairs) My growshop have been pimping GH-stuff hard and they carry pots, top-disks, root cubes, and slabs of that stuff. (Only the RP version.)
-The people there claim they should be watered continuously as a growmedium -and it doesn't wick so maybe it could be used as bottom lining for the coir.
Here in my city they're bloody expensive though. almost 20 Euro a slab. -Outragous!?!

I saw the GH catalog offer some COCOTEK cubes that has this copito like stuff on the outside and a core of coir.

[Harry Gypsna]

ive been looking for those slabs in th uk for 2 years....you can get the cubes, pot liners and pot covers but not the slabs....i reckon theyd be great.....anything that looks like shredded wheat breakfast cereal has got to be healthy lol.
Ive seen the coctek slabs that you cn fill with coco onus sites but none over here.....