A general question about coco and watering. I have searched the forums on this site and others, and there seems to be little agreement on a standard watering schedule. What I mean by this is, some people say they get by watering once every four days, and others say they get by watering once every other day, and still others say they water twice daily with excellent results.
I understand that environment, amendments to the medium, nutrients, and any other number of variables play a key role in determining how often to water.
I understand also that coco is a medium that is best kept moist at all times, that if it is allowed to dry out there is risk of raising the salt content to toxic levels.
What I want to know is: are there any visual cues on the plant that indicate the plant needs water?
To clarify:
In soil, the leaves on a healthy plant that has just been watered will reach for the light in a 'Y'. When the leaves begin to level again, that is an indicator that the plant will need water soon.
Can this same visual cue be used as a standard of when to water for coco as well? The reason I ask is that if coco is best kept moist, then the roots will always have access to water, and the leaves will (ideally) always reach for the light. Correct?
And if the leaves do begin to level, is this an indicator that the medium has become too dry to the point of danger (i.e. toxic salt build-up)?
This all may sound a bit obsessive, but if plants are anything like humans, then the problem (deficiency or pH imbalance in plants: virus/ infection in humans) will exist in the system well before the plant gives any visual signs of distress (hours or days in plants: days or weeks, sometimes months or years, in humans).
I'm new to using coco, and would like to know more about it. For any sound advice and knowledge, much thanks in advance; it's appreciated.
I understand that environment, amendments to the medium, nutrients, and any other number of variables play a key role in determining how often to water.
I understand also that coco is a medium that is best kept moist at all times, that if it is allowed to dry out there is risk of raising the salt content to toxic levels.
What I want to know is: are there any visual cues on the plant that indicate the plant needs water?
To clarify:
In soil, the leaves on a healthy plant that has just been watered will reach for the light in a 'Y'. When the leaves begin to level again, that is an indicator that the plant will need water soon.
Can this same visual cue be used as a standard of when to water for coco as well? The reason I ask is that if coco is best kept moist, then the roots will always have access to water, and the leaves will (ideally) always reach for the light. Correct?
And if the leaves do begin to level, is this an indicator that the medium has become too dry to the point of danger (i.e. toxic salt build-up)?
This all may sound a bit obsessive, but if plants are anything like humans, then the problem (deficiency or pH imbalance in plants: virus/ infection in humans) will exist in the system well before the plant gives any visual signs of distress (hours or days in plants: days or weeks, sometimes months or years, in humans).
I'm new to using coco, and would like to know more about it. For any sound advice and knowledge, much thanks in advance; it's appreciated.
