Beginner switching to Coco Coir

[WackyZac]

I'm looking to switch over to coco coir and have a few questions:

1st I got some 50/50 coco and perlite that says triple rinsed and pre-buffered, so I should be able to just dump it in the fabric pot and drop the germinated seed in right?
I have some cal-mag and nutrients, but the nutrients don't dissolve well so I've been top dressing the soil. Do I just mix some of the cal-mag into the coco? Can I still top dress?

2nd I have some organic nutrients primarily for flower, how would I go about making sure these get absorbed if I decided to use them?

3rd, is there such a thing as too big of a pot for coco? I have 10 gallons and 3 gallons

I might need like a short 10 minute discord chat just to bounce a few questions but I've watched a few youtube videos explaining what's important and I've asked a local garden shop

 

[Bdubs]

Coco is definitely not beginner friendly. It’s closer to soil but hydroponics in principal. And hydro is difficult to master. Lots of self research is needed to take it on.

For starters I’d suggest using a nutrient lineup with a known good feed chart with no missing elements. Otherwise you’ll have quick problems that need quick fixing.

 

[WackyZac]

Coco is definitely not beginner friendly. It’s closer to soil but hydroponics in principal. And hydro is difficult to master. Lots of self research is needed to take it on.

For starters I’d suggest using a nutrient lineup with a known good feed chart with no missing elements. Otherwise you’ll have quick problems that need quick fixing.

I'm using Lotus nutrients and they have a feeding schedule I'll follow,
but also have some of this Endgame Flowering mix from Soil Makers

ENDGAME Flowering mix

This flowering mix is loaded with the nutrients and minerals needed for robust flower growth. This mix is made from 10 certified organic amendments and is sprinkled onto the soil when your plant starts transitioning to the bloom phase. Push your plants to their max genetic potential and reap...

www.makeorganicsoil.com

 

[jetbtkng]

always rinse it then treat with calmag, let it soak for 24hrs in a calmag solution, drain & go, then keep a close eye on nutes & watering, depending on your envirement, i water every 3 to 4 days in cloth pots indoors

 

[Natep]

What makes you want to go to coco? If you are a beginner you might want to consider about anything else. Get 10-12 cycles under your belt then switch it up.

 

[jetbtkng]

What makes you want to go to coco? If you are a beginner you might want to consider about anything else. Get 10-12 cycles under your belt then switch it up.

i did 1 grow in dirt, was a cluster fuck, went to coco & have good results, coco isnt hard, u just have to watch your plants more, make sure u water them really good when its time to water, & keep up on your nutes, im conservative with nutes at the beginning then adjust as they grow, its not hard though

 

[WackyZac]

always rinse it then treat with calmag, let it soak for 24hrs in a calmag solution, drain & go, then keep a close eye on nutes & watering, depending on your envirement, i water every 3 to 4 days in cloth pots indoors

If I have synthetic powder nutes that don’t really dissolve well can I just sprinkle them on top or top dress?
Can I mix the organic nutrients in and they’ll still break down?

 

[WackyZac]

What makes you want to go to coco? If you are a beginner you might want to consider about anything else. Get 10-12 cycles under your belt then switch it up.

I’m just coming out of my first year growing and I think I’m ready for the next step, plus I don’t want any more bugs and I’m under the impression coco doesn’t get bugs

i did 1 grow in dirt, was a cluster fuck, went to coco & have good results, coco isnt hard, u just have to watch your plants more, make sure u water them really good when its time to water, & keep up on your nutes, im conservative with nutes at the beginning then adjust as they grow, its not hard though

could I message you some questions about nutrients?

 

[jetbtkng]

I’m just coming out of my first year growing and I think I’m ready for the next step, plus I don’t want any more bugs and I’m under the impression coco doesn’t get bugs

could I message you some questions about nutrients?

these are what im using, fiddle leaf fig plant food its 6-2-4, flourish brand calmeg 2-0-0, fox farm big bloom liquid plant food 0-05-07, alaska brand morbloom 0-10-10, the alaska does lower the ph alot so be careful, & all these nutes are liquid & the cheapest i could find, because im a cheap ass, what ever the directions say go half dose to start...

 

[TheCroppeteer]

i did 1 grow in dirt, was a cluster fuck, went to coco & have good results, coco isnt hard, u just have to watch your plants more, make sure u water them really good when its time to water, & keep up on your nutes, im conservative with nutes at the beginning then adjust as they grow, its not hard though

Why was it a "cluster fuck"? What happened that went bad?

 

[WackyZac]

these are what im using, fiddle leaf fig plant food, flourish brand calmeg, fox farm big bloom liquid plant food, alaska brand morbloom, the alaska does lower the ph alot so be careful, & all these nutes are liquid & the cheapest i could find, because im a cheap ass, what ever the directions say go half dose to start...

The nutes I have are dry and don’t dissolve very well (even after a week, but maybe I need to buy one of those mini barista blenders)
Will they trickle down through watering if I top dress the coco?

 

[jetbtkng]

Why was it a "cluster fuck"? What happened that went bad?

just couldnt get the soil right, i havested them but were small & wounded from trying to fix everything that was wrong, was my 1st grow in over 40yrs, went to coco & havent looked back, im on my 5th grow now, & everythings doing great

 

[WackyZac]

just couldnt get the soil right, i havested them but were small & wounded from trying to fix everything that was wrong, was my 1st grow in over 40yrs, went to coco & havent looked back, im on my 5th grow now, & everythings doing great

Can I private message you?

 

[jetbtkng]

The nutes I have are dry and don’t dissolve very well (even after a week, but maybe I need to buy one of those mini barista blenders)
Will they trickle down through watering if I top dress the coco?

i dont know shit about dry nutes, im a rookie too, i just know whats been working for me now, i gave u a list of what i use, the cheapest of the cheap, i dont think u need all those costly name brand nutes, fox farms is the only one thats a name brand, i got on sale...

 

[jetbtkng]

Can I private message you?

i dont care, but im no pro, just a schlep trying to grow pot, lol...

 

[TheCroppeteer]

just couldnt get the soil right, i havested them but were small & wounded from trying to fix everything that was wrong, was my 1st grow in over 40yrs, went to coco & havent looked back, im on my 5th grow now, & everythings doing great

Dang, sorry to hear that. At least you got it right now.

 

[Boseman900]

I'm looking to switch over to coco coir and have a few questions:

1st I got some 50/50 coco and perlite that says triple rinsed and pre-buffered, so I should be able to just dump it in the fabric pot and drop the germinated seed in right?
I have some cal-mag and nutrients, but the nutrients don't dissolve well so I've been top dressing the soil. Do I just mix some of the cal-mag into the coco? Can I still top dress?

2nd I have some organic nutrients primarily for flower, how would I go about making sure these get absorbed if I decided to use them?

3rd, is there such a thing as too big of a pot for coco? I have 10 gallons and 3 gallons

I might need like a short 10 minute discord chat just to bounce a few questions but I've watched a few youtube videos explaining what's important and I've asked a local garden shop

You’re good to plant the seed directly in the pre-buffered coco/perlite mix. Mix cal-mag with water before adding it to the coco, and you can still top dress. For organic nutrients, dissolve them well in water for better absorption. Pot size is fine; just watch your watering.


4o