Does Coco coir need microbes?

VILEPLUME

VILEPLUME

Well-Known Member
Coco comes inert so life needs to be put back into it. So does that mean beneficial bacteria, fungi, seaweed, need to be added to help it grow?
 
Richard Drysift

Richard Drysift

Well-Known Member
Not really; it is not as simple as just adding microbes. Like you say straight coco is inert and as a result is best used as a hydroponic medium. If you plan to use nutrients w/coco as a medium then you’ll need to adjust PH. If you prefer the organic route then just use coco as a soil amendment by adding it to compost, fertilizer, and other inputs like minerals in a living soil mix. It is microbial activity and soil composition that regulates PH in an organic grow; these are very much related.
So you can either add coco to an existing soil mix or simply use it as is but if used as a soil-less medium you’ll need to take the extra step of adjusting ph for feeding and/or watering. Plus you’ll need to provide NPK in soluble form in order to be absorbed by plants. You can’t just add liquid microbes amd mycorrhizae to a brick of hydrated coco and call it a day.
 
VILEPLUME

VILEPLUME

Well-Known Member
Richard Drysift said:
Not really; it is not as simple as just adding microbes. Like you say straight coco is inert and as a result is best used as a hydroponic medium. If you plan to use nutrients w/coco as a medium then you’ll need to adjust PH. If you prefer the organic route then just use coco as a soil amendment by adding it to compost, fertilizer, and other inputs like minerals in a living soil mix. It is microbial activity and soil composition that regulates PH in an organic grow; these are very much related.
So you can either add coco to an existing soil mix or simply use it as is but if used as a soil-less medium you’ll need to take the extra step of adjusting ph for feeding and/or watering. Plus you’ll need to provide NPK in soluble form in order to be absorbed by plants. You can’t just add liquid microbes amd mycorrhizae to a brick of hydrated coco and call it a day.
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thanks for the detailed reply. My plants are turning lime in late veg. My ph is always around 6 and ppm around 600-700. My water soluble fert is 9-7-16 so I’m thinking I need to add more N. would urea be best or another type of N for a coco grow?
 
VILEPLUME

VILEPLUME

Well-Known Member
7CardBud said:
Looks like the Southern AG may not be solution grade after seeing some of the reviews. Sorry 'bout dat...I don't want you to wind up with a bag of lawn fertilizer. Hopefully you can cancel if got the that one.

This will definitely be solution grade.

Amazon.com : Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0 Fertilizer Bulk Pricing (5 POUNDS) : Patio, Lawn & Garden
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No worries. I’m in Canada and bought this one: Mega Crop 2 Part B 15.5-0-0 Hydroponic Soil Fertilizer for Plants Calcium Nitrate https://a.co/d/4bxHbx4
 
Richard Drysift

Richard Drysift

Well-Known Member
VILEPLUME said:
thanks for the detailed reply. My plants are turning lime in late veg. My ph is always around 6 and ppm around 600-700. My water soluble fert is 9-7-16 so I’m thinking I need to add more N. would urea be best or another type of N for a coco grow?
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Cannot tell you for sure; have not used soluble nutrients in a real long time. I’m more of a fertilize, compost and water type of grower. Living soil eliminates most absorption issues like this. I do agree that it stands to reason that you either need a fast form of soluble N (like pee); would think that 700 ppm oughta do it though. Possibly could be an absorption issue.
 
Gemtree

Gemtree

Well-Known Member
VILEPLUME said:
thanks for the detailed reply. My plants are turning lime in late veg. My ph is always around 6 and ppm around 600-700. My water soluble fert is 9-7-16 so I’m thinking I need to add more N. would urea be best or another type of N for a coco grow?
Click to expand...
That’s usually magnesium deficiency
 
7CardBud

7CardBud

Well-Known Member
1g/L of Epsom is 100ppm Mg, 130ppm Sulphur.
1g/L CalNit is 145ppm Nitrate, 12ppm Ammonium, 190ppm Calcium.

That stays very close to the 2 to 1 balance of Ca to Mg.
 
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