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Hello farmers!
I'd like to maybe start this thread & develop it into a sticky as this topic seems to come up over & over re the coir... some aren't even aware that this just might be a big deal.
There are many threads & posts over the last few years regarding this very topic across varying sites. And perhaps there is no one true answer, but I'd like to offer my insights & possible get others to post their experiences. At least this info (& varying points of views) will be easily accessed by those considering the coir. This is my hope w this thread...
Okay, I believe in preflushing/treating one's coir prior to planting. My primary reason for this stemmed from the observation of two simple facts:
1. The initial run-off from all manufacturers of coir that I have used (most every brand) has a ppm count ranging from 700~2000+ (off my scale/meter).
2. Plants that start in preflushed/treated coir always did "better"~ healthier & more vigorous & no def issues.
This, however, flew in the face of several major threads out there on the topic... many, many say you do NOT need to flush your coir... it's great right out of the bag. My gut feeling is that a true side-by-side, over a few runs was never actually conducted, nor any detailed measurements of run-off.
Here's are my contentions based on a somewhat limited understanding of how coir functions as a medium:
1. Coconut trees store a vast quantity of Na/K & other cations during their natural growing processes/environment.
2. Most all hydro coirs are aged & "naturally" flushed... rain water running through open piles of unprocessed coir sitting outside for up to 2 years.
3. Once we get it, it still has quantities of unknown elements & compounds residing within as no formal flushing was ever conducted (atami/canna treat though).
4. This is evidenced by the initial ppm readings.
5. Nothing that is still inside the coir is likely what you would choose to put in there by means of solution feeding.
I haven't done a chemical analysis of the varying coir samples available to us. Perhaps this would be an interesting project to conduct...? However, everything stated thus far seems pretty straight forward & reasonable.
So, if you planted straight into untreated/flushed coir, there are anywhere from 700~2000+ppms of unknown elements & compounds that will influence how your plants grow. Run a side-by-side, you will see the difference. I do not have this set-up now, but in the upcoming months, will start some cuttings & post pics to see the differences.
When running the coir in a rez system, all of this junk is perpetually recirculated & refed to the plants. It will very likely hinder healthy growth... this is what I have noticed, without any doubt.
When draining to waste, it isn't that big of a deal because w each feed, some of the initial junk is getting flushed out w the run-off. By the end of 2 weeks, it is pretty much completely gone.
That's my concern in a nutshell & the reasonings therefor. I really believe in pretreating/flushing & offer this to assist others by preempting such problems.
Here's the flush/treatment that I employ:
1. Hydrate w tap as this contains Ca (I use compressed coir btw)
2. Run a lot of tap through the coir
- initially pith & a brown staining will occur w the run-off
- this will go clear rather quickly
- run the tap through for another minute or two, just in case
3. Mix solution w 4ml/gal CalMag+ & pH adjust to 6.3~6.5
- this will replenish the cation balance w Ca & Mg as you essentially flushed it all out just before
- as coir has a high CEC quality (cation exchange capacity), unless you recharge w the cations, it will be less available to the plant until the buffer is achieved w/in the coir
- an aside on pH... usually notice compressed coir comes in very low (4.6~5.1) & that bags can do the same thing, though w a wider range included higher values
- usually run a higher pH (6.3) while this initially balances out... may take me 3-7 days to accomplish. Just a heads up.
4. Plant your babies & top feed w your normal nute regiment, along w 1ml CalMag+ per gal for the veg period.
- this is to ensure CEC balance & full availability to the plants
- by flower, this balance is fully achieved & CM+ is not needed any longer
There are variations I employ, but this is the real deal... it works. Like I said, will try to post a side-by-side as it is workable for me to do.
Hope this helps & would like to even see contrasting opinions & the reasons therefor.
Thank you everyone! Greenest of vibes ;-)
I'd like to maybe start this thread & develop it into a sticky as this topic seems to come up over & over re the coir... some aren't even aware that this just might be a big deal.
There are many threads & posts over the last few years regarding this very topic across varying sites. And perhaps there is no one true answer, but I'd like to offer my insights & possible get others to post their experiences. At least this info (& varying points of views) will be easily accessed by those considering the coir. This is my hope w this thread...
Okay, I believe in preflushing/treating one's coir prior to planting. My primary reason for this stemmed from the observation of two simple facts:
1. The initial run-off from all manufacturers of coir that I have used (most every brand) has a ppm count ranging from 700~2000+ (off my scale/meter).
2. Plants that start in preflushed/treated coir always did "better"~ healthier & more vigorous & no def issues.
This, however, flew in the face of several major threads out there on the topic... many, many say you do NOT need to flush your coir... it's great right out of the bag. My gut feeling is that a true side-by-side, over a few runs was never actually conducted, nor any detailed measurements of run-off.
Here's are my contentions based on a somewhat limited understanding of how coir functions as a medium:
1. Coconut trees store a vast quantity of Na/K & other cations during their natural growing processes/environment.
2. Most all hydro coirs are aged & "naturally" flushed... rain water running through open piles of unprocessed coir sitting outside for up to 2 years.
3. Once we get it, it still has quantities of unknown elements & compounds residing within as no formal flushing was ever conducted (atami/canna treat though).
4. This is evidenced by the initial ppm readings.
5. Nothing that is still inside the coir is likely what you would choose to put in there by means of solution feeding.
I haven't done a chemical analysis of the varying coir samples available to us. Perhaps this would be an interesting project to conduct...? However, everything stated thus far seems pretty straight forward & reasonable.
So, if you planted straight into untreated/flushed coir, there are anywhere from 700~2000+ppms of unknown elements & compounds that will influence how your plants grow. Run a side-by-side, you will see the difference. I do not have this set-up now, but in the upcoming months, will start some cuttings & post pics to see the differences.
When running the coir in a rez system, all of this junk is perpetually recirculated & refed to the plants. It will very likely hinder healthy growth... this is what I have noticed, without any doubt.
When draining to waste, it isn't that big of a deal because w each feed, some of the initial junk is getting flushed out w the run-off. By the end of 2 weeks, it is pretty much completely gone.
That's my concern in a nutshell & the reasonings therefor. I really believe in pretreating/flushing & offer this to assist others by preempting such problems.
Here's the flush/treatment that I employ:
1. Hydrate w tap as this contains Ca (I use compressed coir btw)
2. Run a lot of tap through the coir
- initially pith & a brown staining will occur w the run-off
- this will go clear rather quickly
- run the tap through for another minute or two, just in case
3. Mix solution w 4ml/gal CalMag+ & pH adjust to 6.3~6.5
- this will replenish the cation balance w Ca & Mg as you essentially flushed it all out just before
- as coir has a high CEC quality (cation exchange capacity), unless you recharge w the cations, it will be less available to the plant until the buffer is achieved w/in the coir
- an aside on pH... usually notice compressed coir comes in very low (4.6~5.1) & that bags can do the same thing, though w a wider range included higher values
- usually run a higher pH (6.3) while this initially balances out... may take me 3-7 days to accomplish. Just a heads up.
4. Plant your babies & top feed w your normal nute regiment, along w 1ml CalMag+ per gal for the veg period.
- this is to ensure CEC balance & full availability to the plants
- by flower, this balance is fully achieved & CM+ is not needed any longer
There are variations I employ, but this is the real deal... it works. Like I said, will try to post a side-by-side as it is workable for me to do.
Hope this helps & would like to even see contrasting opinions & the reasons therefor.
Thank you everyone! Greenest of vibes ;-)
