Coco Growers Unite!

LesterBurnum

LesterBurnum

Active Member
Haha. That somebody Dude originally posted a question here. When I and other people answer him, he disregards and argues. Wow. Obviously not open to learning or even the possibility that he doesn't know it all. Arrogance?
Dude we all are learning here. Some have been learning how to grow in coco longer than others. So slow down, listen, try controlled experiments and learn!
Us experienced coco growers wouldn't lead a person asking a question down the wrong road. We would only lead you to a path where you will try and experience it. Trust us bro!
If not keep on keeping on
 
cheechako

cheechako

Well-Known Member
somebody1701 said:
Where is the documentation? Links? 5 liter is 1.2 gallons. If my pots were that small, I'd have to water at least twice a day. I've yet to hear any sort of explanation as to how having to water every day is beneficial.

I'll give you a link supporting my position:

http://forum.grasscity.com/coco-coir/620656-askeds-coco-guide.html

" Coco can be used with flood tables but the cycles should be short and reduced to once or twice a day at most. I’ve seen a flood setup cycling every-other day with fantastic growth."
Click to expand...
Larger volumes of water help maintain stability. This is well known and well documented for hydro, reef aquariums, etc.

Frequent watering serves a similar goal. As already mentioned, the nutrients are pulled out at different rates, which can change the pH of what is left. The water left in the pot is not mixing with the reservoir, so the only chance to bring things back to the proper balance is through another watering.
 
I

iadburner

Active Member
somebody1701 said:
Where is the documentation? Links? 5 liter is 1.2 gallons. If my pots were that small, I'd have to water at least twice a day. I've yet to hear any sort of explanation as to how having to water every day is beneficial.

I'll give you a link supporting my position:

http://forum.grasscity.com/coco-coir/620656-askeds-coco-guide.html

" Coco can be used with flood tables but the cycles should be short and reduced to once or twice a day at most. I’ve seen a flood setup cycling every-other day with fantastic growth."
Click to expand...
Why are you so hostile about it? I've done it the other way too with my 5 liter pots. I've done the every two or three day thing. It works, sure, but when you up the number of waterings, you see serious response from the plants. I'm not talking about water logging my plants every time. I use a cycle timer to water for about 10 seconds four times a day. My pump is a little too powerful or else I would let it go a bit longer. This method seems to act a lot like more like a hydroponic method. More water, more air to the roots, and consistency.

Congratulations, you found someone on the internet that agrees with you! That doesn't make it the last word. You are also talking about flooding coco. That's completely different. In the very link you gave me it specifically states "Coco likes frequent low dose feedings, but you can hit them hard when needed." Yeah, just be selective with your facts and you'll get your results.

Like I said, you can feed every two to three days and you will get soil results, maybe even better, but if you really want to take advantage of the hydro-like properties of coco, you should up your waterings to at least three to four short waterings a day. Don't drown them. Just give them a drink each time.

Documentation? This is the thread that first opened my eyes.

Now quite telling everyone they're wrong. Just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it doesn't work.
 
Psycho Mantis

Psycho Mantis

Member
Chopsticks33 said:
Great thread! I am new to coco and and a low budget. Anyone here use GH cocotek brick before? Im getting the 11lb brick for $10. im am planing to soak the brick with 6.5 ph water mix with house and garden drip clean then mix the coco with 20% ancient forest. will this be safe for coco? this is my first time using coco. Please advise! thanks!
Click to expand...
I hate GH cocotek, because it's not buffered all the way, meaning that you have to waste your time and resources in trying to leach out the salts in the coco. I would recommend Nutrifield coco bricks cheaper, and they're already ph buffered. I like to keep my pH at 5.8.
 
C

Chopsticks33

Active Member
Psycho Mantis said:
I hate GH cocotek, because it's not buffered all the way, meaning that you have to waste your time and resources in trying to leach out the salts in the coco. I would recommend Nutrifield coco bricks cheaper, and they're already ph buffered. I like to keep my pH at 5.8.
Click to expand...
Nutrifield coco brick? where can i find that? the hydro store dont have it. would the drip clean help leach out the salt from the coco? Am I in trouble? I just planted my girls with cocotek in a 3gal airpot. This is my first time with coco and i dont want to mess this up.
 
somebody1701

somebody1701

Well-Known Member
iadburner said:
Why are you so hostile about it? I've done it the other way too with my 5 liter pots. I've done the every two or three day thing. It works, sure, but when you up the number of waterings, you see serious response from the plants. I'm not talking about water logging my plants every time. I use a cycle timer to water for about 10 seconds four times a day. My pump is a little too powerful or else I would let it go a bit longer. This method seems to act a lot like more like a hydroponic method. More water, more air to the roots, and consistency.

Congratulations, you found someone on the internet that agrees with you! That doesn't make it the last word. You are also talking about flooding coco. That's completely different. In the very link you gave me it specifically states "Coco likes frequent low dose feedings, but you can hit them hard when needed." Yeah, just be selective with your facts and you'll get your results.

Like I said, you can feed every two to three days and you will get soil results, maybe even better, but if you really want to take advantage of the hydro-like properties of coco, you should up your waterings to at least three to four short waterings a day. Don't drown them. Just give them a drink each time.

Documentation? This is the thread that first opened my eyes.

Now quite telling everyone they're wrong. Just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Show me where I told people they are wrong? I disagreed with the "rule" that your container size should require you to water once a day. You don't even seem to agree with that based on what you are doing so I'm not sure why I'm taking so much heat for disagreeing with that "rule." If you guys like to water more frequently, have at it.

My grow already yields more than I need so squeezing an extra 10% yield (assuming that would even happen) by having to water every day is of no interest to me. So if you're hand watering, I still say your better off not having to water every day. If you have automatic watering equipment, water however much you want.

Where do you see any hostility?
 
somebody1701

somebody1701

Well-Known Member
LesterBurnum said:
Haha. That somebody Dude originally posted a question here. When I and other people answer him, he disregards and argues. Wow. Obviously not open to learning or even the possibility that he doesn't know it all. Arrogance?
Dude we all are learning here. Some have been learning how to grow in coco longer than others. So slow down, listen, try controlled experiments and learn!
Us experienced coco growers wouldn't lead a person asking a question down the wrong road. We would only lead you to a path where you will try and experience it. Trust us bro!
If not keep on keeping on
Click to expand...
Where did I post a question about how often to water? I answered someone else asking how often to water using a technique that I know works. You the responded with your "rule" that the container should only be big enough that you have to water once a day. I disagreed and still disagree with that.
 
Trousers

Trousers

Well-Known Member
Psycho Mantis said:
I hate GH cocotek, because it's not buffered all the way, meaning that you have to waste your time and resources in trying to leach out the salts in the coco. I would recommend Nutrifield coco bricks cheaper, and they're already ph buffered. I like to keep my pH at 5.8.
Click to expand...


I use gh cocotek. i grabbed one accidentally last time. It grew exactly the same as whatever coco I was using before.

All I do is break it up in the pot and run tap water through it until the water runs clear. Then I ph a gallon or two of RO water add some calmag and dump the whole thing in the pot and let it drain.

I don't worry about the coco being ph'd.

I'm adding about 1/3 coco croutons this time, I have heard good things.
 
somebody1701

somebody1701

Well-Known Member
I've got some plants that I just moved to 1g pots and into my main room. I plan to go to 5g pots once the roots fill in. I also have 3g pots. My last grow yielded well so I'm willing to conduct an experiment. I'll leave one plant in the 1g pot, put another one in a 3g pot, and move the rest to 5g pots. I'll water the 1g and 3g plants every day. I'll water the 5g pots using my current method (pot weight).

So all of you frequent watering advocates are telling me you expect the 1g and 3g plants to yield better than the 5g plants? If you really believe that, I'll give it a shot. The only rule of thumb I've seen is that you want at least 1g of rooting medium for every 1 ft of plant height.

I'll be using smart pots for all sizes (1, 3, 5). I'm using the same 75% cocotek/25% perlite mix I've used on my last 4 grows that I've amended with organic materials (as listed in the link I posted). I will be feeding with GO (full system, heavy amounts) every watering.

On my first coco run, I used GH micro and bloom and Botanicare CalMag so I've also run chemical/inorganic nutes and I found watering them every other day was optimal as well. I'm not running chemical nutes any more so I can't do that experiment (without buying nutes I don't want).
 
jberry

jberry

Well-Known Member
somebody1701 said:
I've got some plants that I just moved to 1g pots and into my main room. I plan to go to 5g pots once the roots fill in. I also have 3g pots. My last grow yielded well so I'm willing to conduct an experiment. I'll leave one plant in the 1g pot, put another one in a 3g pot, and move the rest to 5g pots. I'll water the 1g and 3g plants every day. I'll water the 5g pots using my current method (pot weight).
i
So all of you frequent watering advocates are telling me you expect the 1g and 3g plants to yield better than the 5g plants? If you really believe that, I'll give it a shot. The only rule of thumb I've seen is that you want at least 1g of rooting medium for every 1 ft of plant height.

I'll be using smart pots for all sizes (1, 3, 5). I'm using the same 75% cocotek/25% perlite mix I've used on my last 4 grows that I've amended with organic materials (as listed in the link I posted). I will be feeding with GO (full system, heavy amounts) every watering.

On my first coco run, I used GH micro and bloom and Botanicare CalMag so I've also ruchemical/inorganic nutes and I found watering them every other day was optimal as well. I'm not running chemical nutes any more so I can't do that experiment (without buying nutes I don't want).
Click to expand...
You need to use the pot weight method for all pot sizes and get plenty of run off.. a 1 gal. may need to be watered more than once a day, so u may want to go bigger? Can I ask how tall your plants usually get and what kind of yield per plant that u get?
 
somebody1701

somebody1701

Well-Known Member
jberry said:
You need to use the pot weight method for all pot sizes and get plenty of run off.. a 1 gal. may need to be watered more than once a day, so u may want to go bigger? Can I ask how tall your plants usually get and what kind of yield per plant that u get?
Click to expand...
I got roughly 2.5 to 3 oz off my plants last grow. They were in 3g and 5g pots. I saw no appreciable difference in the yields of the 3g versus 5g plants. The plants ranged from 3 to 4.5 feet tall. I put the shorter ones on blocks to level the canopy.

The two grows before this last harvest, I got about 1.5 oz per plant. I upped my nutes this grow and did a better job of topping.

I really don't think the 1g is even worth trying. I guess I could order a 2g smart pot? Maybe 2g would be viable? I really don't want to have to water more than once a day.
 
C

Chopsticks33

Active Member
Is jack classic 20-20-20 all purpose and 10-30-20 bloom booster good with coco? Ill be adding 1/4 teaspoon of epson salt per gallon water also. I really cant afford to buy new nutes right now. I been having unsuccessful grow the past year. Root rot with dwc!! I hope this will work out. Thanks all for helping!
 
I

iadburner

Active Member
Psycho Mantis said:
I hate GH cocotek, because it's not buffered all the way, meaning that you have to waste your time and resources in trying to leach out the salts in the coco. I would recommend Nutrifield coco bricks cheaper, and they're already ph buffered. I like to keep my pH at 5.8.
Click to expand...

I haven't had any problems with Cocotek. I buy the bale, but all I do is put it in a large container and fill it with water. I poked three small holes in the bottom and just let the water slowly leak out over night. The next day, it's ready to go. I don't even PH or anything like that.
 
I

iadburner

Active Member
somebody1701 said:
Show me where I told people they are wrong? I disagreed with the "rule" that your container size should require you to water once a day. You don't even seem to agree with that based on what you are doing so I'm not sure why I'm taking so much heat for disagreeing with that "rule." If you guys like to water more frequently, have at it.

My grow already yields more than I need so squeezing an extra 10% yield (assuming that would even happen) by having to water every day is of no interest to me. So if you're hand watering, I still say your better off not having to water every day. If you have automatic watering equipment, water however much you want.

Where do you see any hostility?
Click to expand...
Dude, are you serious?


  • Where is the documentation? Links? 5 liter is 1.2 gallons. If my pots were that small, I'd have to water at least twice a day. I've yet to hear any sort of explanation as to how having to water every day is beneficial.​





  • I guess if you want to make sure you have something to do every day, follow this bad advice.​





  • Like I said, if you really like to have to water every day, just keep those pot sizes so small that if you miss a day, your plant dies. As an added bonus, you're sure to have root-bound plants as well.​




All you are doing is rejecting the idea and being snarky while you do it. Are you kidding me? I don't care if it is of any interest to you. What did I tell you? I specifically told you to do what you want, but don't go around criticizing the methods that other people recommend when you know absolutely nothing about it. That's the problem. To many people, an extra 20% is a big deal. It's up to others to choose whether it is worth it to them, but when you say something like :

  • I've watered every day with negative results. If watering every day works for you fine. My point was about the container size (as I thought yours was), not how often you water. If I have a plant in a very small container, I have to water every day or even twice a day. Is that better for the plant, watering twice a day? How about watering every hour? Since you haven't presented anything other than self-serving advice from a nutrient maker as the basis for your claim and I've personally experienced the opposite, of course I'm not going to listen to you or Canna.

    The main reason I think it's bad advice is because about the only sure way to kill a plant in coco is to let it get too dry. The smaller your container is relative to the plant size, the more likely that is to happen. If I can get the same growth with some buffer on watering, why wouldn't I? I have 5g containers that I water every 2-3 days and are completely filled with roots by the end of the grow. Are you suggesting I should go to a 1 or 2g container to get better results?​




you're not helping the conversation. You're just rejecting the experiences of others as if your experience is only way.
 
I

iadburner

Active Member
somebody1701 said:
I've got some plants that I just moved to 1g pots and into my main room. I plan to go to 5g pots once the roots fill in. I also have 3g pots. My last grow yielded well so I'm willing to conduct an experiment. I'll leave one plant in the 1g pot, put another one in a 3g pot, and move the rest to 5g pots. I'll water the 1g and 3g plants every day. I'll water the 5g pots using my current method (pot weight).

So all of you frequent watering advocates are telling me you expect the 1g and 3g plants to yield better than the 5g plants? If you really believe that, I'll give it a shot. The only rule of thumb I've seen is that you want at least 1g of rooting medium for every 1 ft of plant height.

I'll be using smart pots for all sizes (1, 3, 5). I'm using the same 75% cocotek/25% perlite mix I've used on my last 4 grows that I've amended with organic materials (as listed in the link I posted). I will be feeding with GO (full system, heavy amounts) every watering.

On my first coco run, I used GH micro and bloom and Botanicare CalMag so I've also run chemical/inorganic nutes and I found watering them every other day was optimal as well. I'm not running chemical nutes any more so I can't do that experiment (without buying nutes I don't want).
Click to expand...
No one is saying that your plants will absolutely yield more with smaller pots. It has a lot more to do with frequent watering. We use smaller pots for two reasons:
a) Bigger pots aren't necessary with this method in coco with air pots or smart pots. It saves you a lot of media.
b) Bigger pots with frequent watering creates a much higher risk for root rot.

I recommend you do try this out for yourself, but automatic watering with a drip system is important because it allows for consistency. I believe this is the most important part. I use the Maxi KISS method, but organics shouldn't really matter.
 
LesterBurnum

LesterBurnum

Active Member
Excellent somebody! I know you will see a difference. Congratulations on trying the experiment! I find that everyday I check and the pots are around 50% lighter. So I bet you'll see the two coincide.
Cant wait to see your experiment man! Enjoy!
 
I

iadburner

Active Member
somebody1701 said:
I got roughly 2.5 to 3 oz off my plants last grow. They were in 3g and 5g pots. I saw no appreciable difference in the yields of the 3g versus 5g plants. The plants ranged from 3 to 4.5 feet tall. I put the shorter ones on blocks to level the canopy.

The two grows before this last harvest, I got about 1.5 oz per plant. I upped my nutes this grow and did a better job of topping.

I really don't think the 1g is even worth trying. I guess I could order a 2g smart pot? Maybe 2g would be viable? I really don't want to have to water more than once a day.
Click to expand...
Honestly, I wouldn't do it by hand. That just sounds like a hassle. I set up my drip system in less than 30 minutes and fine tuned it over a couple days. Now, my grow is on auto pilot. All I do is refill my 20 gallon rez's about every six or seven days. I get consistent watering and consistent growth this way.
 
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