New to coco and wanting your thoughts...

[KG1]

Thank you for that I really appreciate the information, I do feel like the coco I'm using retains alot of water, it does take quite some time to get dry back so I got scared I was over watering because I was scared to let it go dry in fear of salt build up so and was noticing nutrient issues so I let them dry rite back then fed and saw an improvement, I know what your saying when you wait for the pot to be light but still wet and then water, I could give that a go...

I'm using 2gal pots, last feed I gave 3 liters per plant and got 500ml run off per plant, what's your thoughts about that..?
When I fed them they weren't showing any signs of being thirsty but the pots were super light

Thank you for that I really appreciate the information, I do feel like the coco I'm using retains alot of water, it does take quite some time to get dry back so I got scared I was over watering because I was scared to let it go dry in fear of salt build up so and was noticing nutrient issues so I let them dry rite back then fed and saw an improvement, I know what your saying when you wait for the pot to be light but still wet and then water, I could give that a go...

I'm using 2gal pots, last feed I gave 3 liters per plant and got 500ml run off per plant, what's your thoughts about that..?
When I fed them they weren't showing any signs of being thirsty but the pots were super light

Is the issue you put a small clone in a big pot?

A big lump of Coco with no roots isn't going to lose much water to the air via surface area against volume of substrate water holding capacity.

Sure can be done but making it hard on yourself.

Coco is not like soil, not my picture but your not needing to give roots much space why many are watering multiple times a day -

 

[SLYNINJA]

I was going to say, most people rinse their coco before using it. The way the Op described it, it sounds like it needed rinsed.

The problem most people have with coco is when they try to treat it as soil ... or mix it with soil. Although people do grow organically in coco, its really intended for a salts base nutrient program. Coco in its natural state has zero nutrients or microbes. If the mix is advertised to have microbes or nutrients in it, its been added by the manufacturer.

Coco is a great medium as long as you treat it for what it is ... a form of hydro.

So what's the process for rinsing it, I'm certain mine needs rinsing before I plant in it, would I just fill my pots with coco then run water through it until it runs clear then good to go or is there another process I should follow

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

So what's the process for rinsing it, I'm certain mine needs rinsing before I plant in it, would I just fill my pots with coco then run water through it until it runs clear then good to go or is there another process I should follow

Before using it, flush it several times with plain water. Once the runoff water is clear, its ready to use.

 

[SLYNINJA]

Is the issue you put a small clone in a big pot?

A big lump of Coco with no roots isn't going to lose much water to the air via surface area against volume of substrate water holding capacity.

Sure can be done but making it hard on yourself.

Coco is not like soil, not my picture but your not needing to give roots much space why many are watering multiple times a day -

View attachment 2528023

Yeah sure I definitely think that contributed to it, I went straight from an aeroponics cloner into the 2gals but here's the thing going forward I'm going from the aero cloner to a solo with coco, I'll fully root in the solo and then go from solo to the 2gals surely that'll be sweet rite..? The clones I have in solos atm have grown about 5-6 times the size they were before they went in the cups so surely they'll be sweet to go into 2gals yeah...

 

[SLYNINJA]

Before using it, flush it several times with plain water. Once the runoff water is clear, its ready to use.

So runoff is clear, plant and then feed straight away..?

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

So runoff is clear, plant and then feed straight away..?

Yep, pretty much.

 

[KG1]

Yeah sure I definitely think that contributed to it, I went straight from an aeroponics cloner into the 2gals but here's the thing going forward I'm going from the aero cloner to a solo with coco, I'll fully root in the solo and then go from solo to the 2gals surely that'll be sweet rite..? The clones I have in solos atm have grown about 5-6 times the size they were before they went in the cups so surely they'll be sweet to go into 2gals yeah...

Feels like you could still go into something smaller. But why not just water as usual or daily, see no reason not to at that point that mass of roots wants it.

 

[SLYNINJA]

Sweet I got ya, fuck why doesn't it come fully rinsed or is that partly the difference between good coco and bad coco..

 

[SLYNINJA]

Feels like you could still go into something smaller. But why not just water as usual or daily, see no reason not to at that point that mass of roots wants it.

I'm happy to water often with alot of runoff I was just worried about overwatering as it's taking a long time to get any dry back atm

 

[SLYNINJA]

Feels like you could still go into something smaller. But why not just water as usual or daily, see no reason not to at that point that mass of roots wants it.

I saying that I do think I'll increase my watering

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

I'm happy to water often with alot of runoff I was just worried about overwatering as it's taking a long time to get any dry back atm

It's hard to over-water an established root system in coco. Over-watering is more of a soil issue than it is a coco issue. Over-watering doesn't mean giving your plant too much water. It means you're watering it too frequently but don't let that confuse you in coco. That's a soil thing.

 

[SLYNINJA]

It's hard to over-water an established root system in coco. Over-watering is more of a soil issue than it is a coco issue. Over-watering doesn't mean giving your plant too much water. It means you're watering it too frequently but don't let that confuse you in coco. That's a soil thing.

OK sweet so let's say these plants are well established, shall I water daily till I get like 250ml run off per plant..thoughts... Appreciate the help btw

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

OK sweet so let's say these plants are well established, shall I water daily till I get like 250ml run off per plant..thoughts... Appreciate the help btw

I'm not sure where you're coming up with this figure "250ml" so can you enlighten me on how you have reached that exact figure? It's not necessary to be exactly that precise.

10-20% runoff is plenty. I don't measure my run-off either. I know that if the volume of water in the saucer that is collecting the run-off fills up the saucer, that's probably enough. I vacuum the water out of the saucer and call it good.

 

[SLYNINJA]

I'm not sure where you're coming up with this figure "250ml" so can you enlighten me on how you have reached that exact figure? It's not necessary to be exactly that precise.

10-20% runoff is plenty. I don't measure my run-off either. I know that if the volume of water in the saucer that is collecting the run-off fills up the saucer, that's probably enough. I vacuum the water out of the saucer and call it good.

I was just meaning like a decent amount of run off rather than a dribble but I think I got ya. Last watering took 3L per pot and run off was 500ml per pot so next time I'll give slightly less maybe feed like 2750ml per plant

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

I was just meaning like a decent amount of run off rather than a dribble but I think I got ya. Last watering took 3L per pot and run off was 500ml per pot so next time I'll give slightly less maybe feed like 2750ml per plant

I use 5 gallon pots (I'm in the USA so I'm most familiar with gallons over liters) and my plants get about 1.5 to 2 gallons of water per watering. My saucers are 14" in diameter and about an 1 1/2 deep. If the run-off is mostly filling the saucer that's enough. Just water slowly so you don't over-flow the saucer. That's pretty much it on that part.

Coco works best with regular weaker feedings of nutrients. Don't try to feed them too much. You'll do better by using a weaker strength nutrient solution and feeding them more often ... Otherwise its very easy to over-feed in coco unless you're focusing on the "less more often" approach.

Edit: I hope that makes sense.

 

[SLYNINJA]

I use 5 gallon pots (I'm in the USA so I'm most familiar with gallons over liters) and my plants get about 1.5 to 2 gallons of water per watering. My saucers are 14" in diameter and about an 1 1/2 deep. If the run-off is mostly filling the saucer that's enough. Just water slowly so you don't over-flow the saucer. That's pretty much it on that part.

Coco works best with regular weaker feedings of nutrients. Don't try to feed them too much. You'll do better by using a weaker strength nutrient solution and feeding them more often ... Otherwise its very easy to over-feed in coco unless you're focusing on the "less more often" approach.

Edit: I hope that makes sense.

Yeah I typically always feed lightly I don't like running heavy nutes, I have hydro trays plumbed into the house waste so the run off goes straight down the drain but its easy to gauge if they run off well.

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

Yeah I typically always feed lightly I don't like running heavy nutes, I have hydro trays plumbed into the house waste so the run off goes straight down the drain but its easy to gauge if they run off well.

Then it sounds like you're on the right track ....

 

[spase]

Yeah looks great so far, good job.

What genetics you got going this run..? Photoperiod or auto..?

It's a photo. Seems Indica, but it's bag seed. I harvested this one twice in the soil grow. At 6 and 8 weeks.

 

[KG1]

I saying that I do think I'll increase my watering

Yes, watering replenishes the oxygen and removes gasses unlike soil which we wait to dry back in order to suck oxygen In to it.

You can't over water within reason.

Start once a day everyday at the same time generally near the lights on point.

 

[SlingShot]

coco guy here, yep, sediment runoff, no fail method, purchase reputable brand pre-buffered coco and then sieve the sediment out, it will settle and clog shit up and/or starve oxygen, I use both a rice colander and a picnic table plate cover for flies, anything large with small-ish holes, place over bucket or tub, load up a gallon or so at a time, pour or spray water over, allowing the fine particles to flush away, I also repeat this process (with buffering) in-between grows as the coco naturally breaks down, hope this helps, good luck.