Coco vs. other substrates: Nutrients

[cannabineer]

Hi
I'd like to ask the growing community if one or more of you know what the difference is between "standard" universal hydro nutes, e.g. General Hydro Flora Series, and coco-specific formulae such as Canna.

I like to mix my own from the starting salts, and I'm thinking of taking the coco plunge.

But I am not finding the specifics online! Such as: which ions to use more, which ones to use less, whether pH is the same or different.

So tell me what the differences (specifically how much ppm of each ion is recommended in coco vs. say rockwool or a peat-based mix) are for a coco formula, in both veg and flower! Thank you in advance.

 

[d0rk2dafullest]

Hi
I'd like to ask the growing community if one or more of you know what the difference is between "standard" universal hydro nutes, e.g. General Hydro Flora Series, and coco-specific formulae such as Canna.

I like to mix my own from the starting salts, and I'm thinking of taking the coco plunge.

But I am not finding the specifics online! Such as: which ions to use more, which ones to use less, whether pH is the same or different.

So tell me what the differences (specifically how much ppm of each ion is recommended in coco vs. say rockwool or a peat-based mix) are for a coco formula, in both veg and flower! Thank you in advance.

Mixing your own salts? Look up "Cheap alternatives to overpriced Hydroponic Nutrients"
they talk about Jacks Pro Hydro, 3-1-2 Nutrient Profile. Works for Coco. Coco is hydroponic medium there are coco specific nutes, but i dont use coco specific nutes at all. I use GH lucas formula with no problems, and that's not coco specific. Coco should be treated just like rockwool or peat based mixes as well. Im not sure what ppm of each ion is reccomended but if u ask a guy named squiggly in that place. he would be able to tell you, he's a chemist that hangs out there. and he'd probably be able to tell you. he even has a section "ask squiggly your neighborhood chemist" and go into deep details about what you are asking for. i hope i've pointed you into the right direction. Ph is also treated the same as rockwool or peatbased as well. but some would say rockwool vs peat and coco ph should be different. i've heard rockwool we'd want to use 5.8-6.2 and in coco and peat based we'd like to use 6.0-6.5. I personally have used both. I would use up to 6.5 in coco in Veg and 5.8 in flower. that's just me tho. i've used up to 6.5 in coco as well but if i use a higher PH it's because im in a bigger pot up to a 7gal smart pot, i'd use 6.5 PH but if i'm in a smaller pot from 3-5gallon. i would use 5.8-6.2 PH . Coco is REALLY forgiving. Just look at your plants. if it shows deficiencies, supplement it with what it's missing. you just have to be able to read your plants, that's all. and if your mix of solution is too krazy, u can always just flush it all out and start all over again. imho coco is very noobie friendly.
Most of the coco specific nutes i think just include some cal mag. for if you're using r/o water. i honestly think you should be fine with what you were using before in rockwool or peatbased mixes. just remember to use cal mag. as that is the most common deficiency with coco. most of the solutions you use should bind very well coco, if you're experiencing some burns. just make sure to flush once a week (this happens when we feed very heavy all week. Like say if we dont allow our medium to dry out before we feed, we should flush every week with just r/o water, or a tea drench) if we feed with some runoff tho, we should be alright, but it's just the salts we use might get stuck into the coco and just build up. coco specific nutes im sure are made so that is hardly a problem. If you do find salt build up a problem, flushing and or using pekacid will help you out. (drip clean or pekacid from another source should be a cheaper alternative.) Many people who do use coco flush or use drip clean. I myself use Sea Green. and Tea Drench every week to make sure there is no salt buildup. So if you're using your own salts. U'll be fine. just make sure u have some run off. and flush when you need to. Just read your plants. to see how they are doing.

 

[Aeroknow]

Hi
I'd like to ask the growing community if one or more of you know what the difference is between "standard" universal hydro nutes, e.g. General Hydro Flora Series, and coco-specific formulae such as Canna.

I like to mix my own from the starting salts, and I'm thinking of taking the coco plunge.

But I am not finding the specifics online! Such as: which ions to use more, which ones to use less, whether pH is the same or different.

So tell me what the differences (specifically how much ppm of each ion is recommended in coco vs. say rockwool or a peat-based mix) are for a coco formula, in both veg and flower! Thank you in advance.

Usually little less K, and a little more Ca, compared to a "regular" formula.
I mostly use non-specific and don't have problems with the supposed extra potassium. I find extra Ca and Mg is needed though.

I wish I still had bottles around of CNS-17 coco&soil(1 part grow and 1 part bloom)to share the #'s with you. That was a very good formula. They stopped making the coco formula, but maybe you can find the label online still?

 

[cannabineer]

Thanks folks

In the meantime I found this:
http://www.manicbotanix.com/hydroponic-grow-guide/coco-growing.html
that confirms what Aeroknow said. The numbers are a bit inconsistent on that page but yes ... Ca is upped by about 50%, Mg by 20 or 25%, and K reduced by maybe 50% relative to a "universal" formula. I have a good, proven recipe for a universal formula and will compute from there. If it tests well i might post the numbers if I remember