Worth fortifying potting mix if using liquid nutirents?

[VincenzioVonHook]

Hi guys. I'm over finding endless bark, sticks, rubber and chipboard in shitty Bunnings potting mixes, so I plan to make my own shitty potting mix lol. The leat based mixes I have been using all have low pH as well, around 5.2, and I'm looking to go Coco and compost to raise pH to around 6-6.5.

I have a 25L Coco block (certified and washed), 50L of organic compost from a local nursery and 25L of perlite. If I'm using Canna terra nutes, is there any point adding amendments to the potting mix? It's set up to be 1 part perlite, 1 part Coco coir and 2 parts compost.

I've been speaking to a few people and the amount of stuff they suggest I add is kinda scary. Worm castings, dolomite lime, potash, seaweed emulsion, wetting agents and more. From what I'm hearing it sounds like everyone is suggesting an organic soil blend, where as I'm just looking for a base potting mix that's fine textured, drains well, is pretty inert and isn't full of sticks, building waste and wood chips that I can use as a base for my feed.

Do any of you guys use a basic Coco/compost mix, or is there something better I should be looking at? I've had Canna terra suggested to me, but it's $40 a bag here and pretty much the same spahgum peat, compact bark and perlite mix I've already tried.

 

[xtsho]

Just go soilless and use straight coco and the Canna Terra nutes.

 

[VincenzioVonHook]

Just go soilless and use straight coco and the Canna Terra nutes.

I was considering this but have heard so much conflicting information about straight Cocos water retention properties. In most articles I read, they state it's really good for its water retention properties, but then they say to water regularly as it dries out very quickly and requires almost daily watering. As my watering skills are sub par I looked past pure Coco for my first indoor grow but it seems to be the way forward from a lot of experiences I have heard, and has far less pH issues than peat moss. I have 70/30 perlite/vermiculite mix here Im planning to add, I'd take it at one part perlite, 2 parts Coco?

It also seems to be a safer alternative when it comes to pH, medium disease and pest issues.

From what I've heard, the only thing I have to worry about is possible calcium leeching from the medium, but our tap water is 200ppm, and I have cal mag here if needed.

So far we have one for Coco...keep it coming.

 

[Wizzlebiz]

IMHO you are trying to do something that is already pre done for you in bags at your local hydro store.

If you dont want to do coco which I completely understand as I don't have the time to water daily just bite the good Ole bullet and buy some good soil.

 

[VincenzioVonHook]

IMHO you are trying to do something that is already pre done for you in bags at your local hydro store.

If you dont want to do coco which I completely understand as I don't have the time to water daily just bite the good Ole bullet and buy some good soil.

The only stuff at the local hydro shops is Canna terra or Canna coco for $40 a bag, or Coco blocks and perlite. Is it worth it, or should i just use the Coco block here and some perlite?

I'm not against buying some good soil from the hydro shop in any way, I just figured the terra is sphagnum moss, perlite and compost barks and my current potting mix is a premium sphagnum moss, perlite and compost bark mix now.

And I'm also a tightarse on study allowance haha. Just lost my job due to a few heart failures and at uni ATM. I can make 50l of Coco/perlite mix here for free or buy a 50L bag of Cana Coco for $40, and I'll do it if it's worth it for sure.

 

[xtsho]

Since you have Bunnings I assume your in Australia. If that's the case you are not going to have the selection of products we have here in the US. I would suggest finding a hydro store in your area as they will have better quality soil. But it's not going to be cheap. Coco is probably going to be the most economical option.

Good luck.

 

[VincenzioVonHook]

Since you have Bunnings I assume your in Australia. If that's the case you are not going to have the selection of products we have here in the US. I would suggest finding a hydro store in your area as they will have better quality soil. But it's not going to be cheap. Coco is probably going to be the most economical option.

Good luck.

Cheers. Our Bunnings has trash lol. And our local hydro shops are obsessed with Canna, and the only other options are build it yourself organic soils. I'll definately check out online hydro shops though, as they have plenty of bagged soils. Last time I checked though, it was around $40 a bag of soil, and around $20 shipping for 50L bags, but it seems that premium soil might be worth it.

Just got some leftover "Scott's premium plus" potting mix of the neighbours. Apparently was $20 a bag from Bunnings and literally had bits of chipboard and it's attached paint flakes lol. Made me second guess the stuff I got from Bunnings quicksmart.

I think the fact that I can make 100L of potting mix from certified Coco blocks and compost made at the same nursery for $12 has swayed my financially stunted mind towards a horrible idea. They say you get what you put in.

 

[xtsho]

Cheers. Our Bunnings has trash lol. And our local hydro shops are obsessed with Canna, and the only other options are build it yourself organic soils. I'll definately check out online hydro shops though, as they have plenty of bagged soils. Last time I checked though, it was around $40 a bag of soil, and around $20 shipping for 50L bags, but it seems that premium soil might be worth it.

Just got some leftover "Scott's premium plus" potting mix of the neighbours. Apparently was $20 a bag from Bunnings and literally had bits of chipboard and it's attached paint flakes lol. Made me second guess the stuff I got from Bunnings quicksmart.

I think the fact that I can make 100L of potting mix from certified Coco blocks and compost made at the same nursery for $12 has swayed my financially stunted mind towards a horrible idea. They say you get what you put in.

There is nothing wrong with financial concerns. But as I said, soilless with coco and nutrients with every watering can yield great results with minimal costs. There are tons of people growing in coco and getting excellent results.

 

[VincenzioVonHook]

I

There is nothing wrong with financial concerns. But as I said, soilless with coco and nutrients with every watering can yield great results with minimal costs. There are tons of people growing in coco and getting excellent results.

I'm not doubting that in any way, or insinuating that people aren't getting good yields in Coco, I've actually seen it to be the best option in most scenarios so far. My bad watering habits are the only reason I could think of not to go Coco lol. Straight Coco/perlite is my front runner right now, just debating whether I'm going to go highroller and buy a $60 bag of premix or just hydrate the shit I have here.

If I do buy some Canna coco (I can grab one tomorrow down the road) I'll pop a cigar, don the monocle, stroke my ego and ignore my dwindling bank account haha.

 

[mudballs]

Not a self promotion, just trying to help.replace my peat with your coco

 

[twentyeight.threefive]

I
I'm not doubting that in any way, or insinuating that people aren't getting good yields in Coco, I've actually seen it to be the best option in most scenarios so far. My bad watering habits are the only reason I could think of not to go Coco lol. Straight Coco/perlite is my front runner right now, just debating whether I'm going to go highroller and buy a $60 bag of premix or just hydrate the shit I have here.

If I do buy some Canna coco (I can grab one tomorrow down the road) I'll pop a cigar, don the monocle, stroke my ego and ignore my dwindling bank account haha.

Which part of your watering habits are you concerned about with coco? Do you think you tend to overwater or do you just not have the time to feed them daily?

 

[VincenzioVonHook]

Not a self promotion, just trying to help

Cheers. I'm looking into all options as I'm looking to expand soon and try different soils out of interest, so the info is welcome. As soon as winter is over, I plant to plant outside for the third year, but this time I'm looking to mix an outdoor soil and grow in pots so I can move them out of bad weather. Lost a bit last year due to rain and storms during flower.

 

[VincenzioVonHook]

Ma

Which part of your watering habits are you concerned about with coco? Do you think you tend to overwater or do you just not have the time to feed them daily?

Mainly just me being forgetful lol, and part me being used to watering twice a week out of habit due to mix that holds water well. With my current work situation after losing my previous job, I can end up on call now in strange places for strange intervals of time, so I'm worried that I might not be home for a few days at a time to water..

 

[xtsho]

I
I'm not doubting that in any way, or insinuating that people aren't getting good yields in Coco, I've actually seen it to be the best option in most scenarios so far. My bad watering habits are the only reason I could think of not to go Coco lol. Straight Coco/perlite is my front runner right now, just debating whether I'm going to go highroller and buy a $60 bag of premix or just hydrate the shit I have here.

If I do buy some Canna coco (I can grab one tomorrow down the road) I'll pop a cigar, don the monocle, stroke my ego and ignore my dwindling bank account haha.

If daily watering is an issue you can look at a gravity fed auto watering system like blumats. Makes watering easy. Unfortunately it appears that the cost of blumats in Australia is astronomical.

Bunnings does carry a different brand using the same technology.

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Find {productName} at Bunnings. Visit your local store for the widest range of products.

www.bunnings.com.au

 

[twentyeight.threefive]

Ma
Mainly just me being forgetful lol, and part me being used to watering twice a week out of habit due to mix that holds water well. With my current work situation after losing my previous job, I can end up on call now in strange places for strange intervals of time, so I'm worried that I might not be home for a few days at a time to water..

If that's the case then coco probably isn't the best medium to go with. Good luck.

 

[VincenzioVonHook]

If daily watering is an issue you can look at a gravity fed auto watering system like blumats. Makes watering easy. Unfortunately it appears that the cost of blumats in Australia is astronomical.

Bunnings does carry a different brand using the same technology.

{productName}

Find {productName} at Bunnings. Visit your local store for the widest range of products.

www.bunnings.com.au

Lol the cost of everything in Australia is astronomical haha. We have great wages but the cost of living has gone up exponentially the last few years. I'm pretty sure MacDonald wage here is $25 per hour, but at the same time it cost $120 to fill up the tank today.

I was looking into an autopot setup but I don't like the idea of sitting in runoff. Know a few people that grow in Coco and use bottom fed autopots, and they had root issue here and there. I'll check out drip feeders though, I'm full blown new to indoor cultivation, and it could solve my issue with watering.

 

[xtsho]

Lol the cost of everything in Australia is astronomical haha. We have great wages but the cost of living has gone up exponentially the last few years. I'm pretty sure MacDonald wage here is $25 per hour, but at the same time it cost $120 to fill up the tank today.

I was looking into an autopot setup but I don't like the idea of sitting in runoff. Know a few people that grow in Coco and use bottom fed autopots, and they had root issue here and there. I'll check out drip feeders though, I'm full blown new to indoor cultivation, and it could solve my issue with watering.

You might want to look into SIP's. You can make them very economically with buckets or totes. They can eliminate daily watering and depending on the size you may only need to water once a week.

SIP thread -- (Sub-Irrigated Planter)

Sub-irrigated planter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sub-Irrigated Planter Sub-irrigated planter (SIP) is a generic name for a special type of planting box used in container gardening and commercial landscaping. A SIP is any method of watering plants where the water is introduced from...

www.rollitup.org