how much peat/coco and the difference

so I noticed a few different soil recipes with differing amounts of
(this is what I used)
1 part compost/EWC
1 part peat/coco
1 part perlite
I see some recipes call for equal portions of each which is what I did on my first soil build

I came across an article in max yield and ive seen others mix it in different proportion for example;
2 parts peat
1 part coco
1 part compost
1 part perlite
1/2 part pumice


and with peat and coco being somewhat similar in purpose (3 part combined) this recipe has significantly less compost and perlite

what would one expect to so differently in the soil texture or any other factors comparing these two base mix ratios?

im4satori said:

so I noticed a few different soil recipes with differing amounts of
(this is what I used)
1 part compost/EWC
1 part peat/coco
1 part perlite
I see some recipes call for equal portions of each which is what I did on my first soil build

I came across an article in max yield and ive seen others mix it in different proportion for example;
2 parts peat
1 part coco
1 part compost
1 part perlite
1/2 part pumice


and with peat and coco being somewhat similar in purpose (3 part combined) this recipe has significantly less compost and perlite

what would one expect to so differently in the soil texture or any other factors comparing these two base mix ratios?

Click to expand...

Not that much would be different! And you hit it on the head, peat moss and coir are used for the same thing...so IMO you should choose which one is cheaper, and just use that...same goes for perlite and pumice...they're not different enough to waste money on both.

The mix with less compost will drain a touch more, be less heavy. Also run out of nutrients quicker potentially. Also go with the heavier compost ratio in my experience.

im4satori said:

so I noticed a few different soil recipes with differing amounts of
(this is what I used)
1 part compost/EWC
1 part peat/coco
1 part perlite
I see some recipes call for equal portions of each which is what I did on my first soil build

I came across an article in max yield and ive seen others mix it in different proportion for example;
2 parts peat
1 part coco
1 part compost
1 part perlite
1/2 part pumice


and with peat and coco being somewhat similar in purpose (3 part combined) this recipe has significantly less compost and perlite

what would one expect to so differently in the soil texture or any other factors comparing these two base mix ratios?

Click to expand...

the biggest difference is the fact that peat is already composted, and coco isn't, also peat is closer to being inert than coco is, considering that it simply degrades into humus as it ages, rather the coco isn't composted, and degrades into varying amounts of nutrients, with potassium being the primary, while possible sequestering a lil nitrogen (only relevant if matching with biochar or another carbon based input.
alos the cec is different too, with peat outperforming the coco.
i prefer peat over coco, by far, especially if you are inside and in smaller containers.
i don't like the interaction that coco has with cation elements, as it tends to create imbalances with calcium in particular.
nothing wrong with a 1/1 ratio of coco to peat as the base portion in a mix, just remember to lime the mix with something
i love using coco as a carbon input in a compost pile, works really great for that.

a coco base will need a lil more cation inputs than a peat one will, crab meal, shrimp meal, etc, important to balance them too, which is challenging considering the unpredictable potassium being released
also go real light or avoid altogether, greensand, granite dust, wood ashes, langbeinite, BSM, and to a degree coco water also.