Need some coco advice....again

Hey guys. Going on post #3 or 4 about coco.
I used to grow soil, I really want to use coco. I'm getting better daily but it's still looking pretty rough compared to others grows and my past grows.
Going on about week 5, looking more like a good week 3-4 unfortunately. I seriously struggled when they were seedlings, not knowing about when to start nutes, and got some good advice about coco seedlings from you guys. Thanks
So I'm here again.

I'll upload pictures shortly, I am unable to right this minute.

I know this won't be an easy solution but maybe just some general advice?

I can't seem to nail down my nutrient / water schedule quite right. My plants seem to thrive for 2-3 days and have a nice darker green look and then the growth slows significantly, plants turn light green, new growth is slow, plants seem to show a cal-mag deficiency.
I am only watering every 2 days or so and nutes every other time. I give them RO water when they just get water and I'm using new millennium nutes, now at full strength.

I do not PH test my RO water, I've read it comes in right at 7ish. Should I be adding ph down to bring it to that 5.5-6.3 range?

When I do feed I just try to get into the range of 5.5-6.3. I've heard different stages like different PH levels better. Will it really make a difference being at that exact number?

I feel like I hear coco growers say they water and feed daily. I was doing this originally but my coco was always extremely wet and wouldn't seem to dry without waiting 2-3 days. This still happens with my plants in veg, no longer tiny seedlings.
My coco even started growing algae, getting very green on top. Determined it be algae from here and google.

Should I switch to fabric pots vs plastic? I assume that would make it dry out faster? My humidity here in colorado is usually always under 30 so I'm surprised it stays wet as long as it does.

And I am currently only adding calmag during feedings. Should I add it to regular waterings too? My plants, especially large fan leaves, seem to start showing cal-mag looking signs only about week or two after getting to a decent size.

Forgot to mention I also have some growers recharge, which my soil plants loved and I've heard it works in coco too, but after 3 feedings with the recharge i couldn't see any difference. Stopped that for now, not sure if that info is needed.

Sorry for the long post boys, had a few drinks, got too many questions. Any answers or links to things that may help as greatly appreciated.

Again, pics coming soon, give me 30ish mins.
Thanks

Leaves are also usually pretty droopy as you can see. I was attributing this to over watering? The pots always seem to be heavy and plenty wet.

I have topped and have been doing some lst, feeling good about plant structure. Just not the feeding and watering.

With coco you feed every watering. You don't do plain water in between.

7 pH is too high. You need to lower it significantly. I shoot for 6.0 others slightly higher or lower. Again, when you water you always feed. When you do feed you don't need to push the EC level. 1.5 EC is good. Higher and you can end up overfeeding.

Is there a reason you are using RO water? Do you have very hard water? Because tap water has Ca and Mg. So unless you have extremely high ppm using RO water is not necessary.

What nutrients are you using?

I use coco also. I usually mix it 3 x 32 oz cups to 1 x 32 oz. cup of perlite. Does your pots drain ?

xtsho said:

With coco you feed every watering. You don't do plain water in between.

7 pH is too high. You need to lower it significantly. I shoot for 6.0 others slightly higher or lower. Again, when you water you always feed. When you do feed you don't need to push the EC level. 1.5 EC is good. Higher and you can end up overfeeding.

Is there a reason you are using RO water? Do you have very hard water? Because tap water has Ca and Mg. So unless you have extremely high ppm using RO water is not necessary.

What nutrients are you using?

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Honestly, I just hate tap water and don't use it for anything. I use RO water for myself, doggo, and plants. I just feel like tap water with all its chemicals would do more harm than the few good minerals in there.
I've heard that the tap water here isn't bad but it leaves tons of serious spots on anything and everything after washing in the kitchen.

What can I do about the coco being so wet?
I tried daily waterings and got the algae very quick. Should I switch to fabric?
Do you think the plants aren't sucking up enough because it's not exactly what they want? Like if I got the correct PH and nute strength the plant would probably suck more of it up?
Running new millennium nutes, full line. Cali magic as my cal-mag.

tkufoS said:

I use coco also. I usually mix it 3 x 32 oz cups to 1 x 32 oz. cup of perlite. Does your pots drain ?

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I am using strait coco, no perlite. I read many topics on this exact subject and it seemed to be pretty split down the middle of if it has much or any benefit. Opted for the easier rout of the 2.

Ben123456733 said:

Honestly, I just hate tap water and don't use it for anything. I use RO water for myself, doggo, and plants. I just feel like tap water with all its chemicals would do more harm than the few good minerals in there.
I've heard that the tap water here isn't bad but it leaves tons of serious spots on anything and everything after washing in the kitchen.

What can I do about the coco being so wet? I tried daily waterings and got the algae very quick. Should I switch to fabric?
Running new millennium nutes, full line. Cali magic as my cal-mag.

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Fabric pots will dry faster. I run straight coco in fabric pots. I ditched the perlite years ago because it's not needed.

I don't know much about those nutrients but you shouldn't ever need more than three bottles of base nutrients. If I were you I'd get away from those kind of gimmicky nutrients and just get a good base nutrient. A quick look at those you're using and it's just watered down salts. The Equinox is nothing but calcium nitrate. I'd finish those out and move on to something else. There is absolutely no need to be paying for all those bottles of water.

xtsho said:

Fabric pots will dry faster. I run straight coco in fabric pots. I ditched the perlite years ago because it's not needed.

I don't know much about those nutrients but you shouldn't ever need more than three bottles of base nutrients. If I were you I'd get away from those kind of gimmicky nutrients and just get a good base nutrient. A quick look at those you're using and it's just watered down salts. The Equinox is nothing but calcium nitrate. I'd finish those out and move on to something else. There is absolutely no need to be paying for all those bottles of water.

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Funny, I actually chose plastic over fabric because I figured the low humidity would have more of an impact. I will definitely try fabric.

I am using these nutes because I saw phenomenal results with these nutes from the grower who got me into coco (Who I've lost contact with, unfortunately). Also it's a smaller company that started and operates out of my state, so local, ya know? Also probably why it's not too well known. It is in other states too, but it's everywhere here in colorado.

The lineup isn't really too crazy, but I agree, sometimes it feels excessive even if it is only 5 or so bottles at a time. I will be stuck with these nutes for at least the next 3 months or so because I just bought almost the full lineup 2 months ago and have only fed seedlings and some smaller veg plants. So even if I do switch I do feel I have to at least improve with this lineup. I'm not using their 'carbonara' even though it's on their feed chart you can't buy it anywhere. I think it may be discontinued. I also do not use their PK appetite. Seems like a basic PK booster.

The fastest growing, best-looking plants I've ever seen were with this lineup. How much of that was due to nutes and not grower skill is to be determined I suppose. Probably leaning towards skill and experience. I did feed his plants a few times using the exact same lineup and only saw amazing growth. His plants did seem to want and need daily waterings and feedings though.

Any recommendations for a newbie coco grower nute wise? Should I just try the standard general hrydo a and b?
I know it's mostly marketing BS but I almost feel more comfortable using a full 9ish bottle line up because with simple nutes like A and B I feel like there are just those extra fractions I could improve my plants.
I guess the wise thing to do would be to master the basics and add additives 1 by 1 to see their direct impact.

Sorry for the short stories boys. I hope at least some of you are drinking and enjoying it lol

I'll add this. You need to water to run off at least once a week. If not you will get nutrient buildup and high ec. Coco dosent need to dry as it has amazing aeration qualities. Keep em moist at all times.

Southside112 said:

I'll add this. You need to water to run off at least once a week. If not you will get nutrient buildup and high ec. Coco dosent need to dry as it has amazing aeration qualities. Keep em moist at all times.

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I've never heard once per week, I've always heard daily runoff. Any benefit to keeping all nutes and water in besides once per week?

Side note, I am trying to grow only a few big plants. 1 plant per tent ideally.
If I am growing 1 plant in a 3x3 do you think a 10 gal fabric pot is large enough or should I do 15?
I realize it probably won't have too much of an effect, but if you guys have any experience on the subject, is 10 gal enough for a 1 plant 3x3 tent?

Mine seem ok with perlite. Just my experience. I water daily.

Ben123456733 said:

I've never heard once per week, I've always heard daily runoff. Any benefit to keeping all nutes and water in besides once per week?

Side note, I am trying to grow only a few big plants. 1 plant per tent ideally.
If I am growing 1 plant in a 3x3 do you think a 10 gal fabric pot is large enough or should I do 15?
I realize it probably won't have too much of an effect, but if you guys have any experience on the subject, is 10 gal enough for a 1 plant 3x3 tent?

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I'm also in a 3x3. I have 3 plants going in coco now. 2 are in 5 gal and 1 in 3 gal. They easily filled my canopy and the 2 sativa dominant strains are over 5 feet tall. So for 1 plant I think 10 gallons would kill it.
For the runoff I said once a week minimum imo. More often no problem. You really don't see the nice yeild increases with coco unless you work up to multiple ferigations per day. Then you get some nice growth compared to soil. Here's my grow just finished stretch. Cheers.

Beautiful plants, they look a bit stretched to me, but clearly, I'm no expert. Still look absolutely great.

Also, just because you guys are awesome, take a look at my setup. Still trying to get her all filled up, only rocking the veg closet atm.
If you look and my post history you will see dozens of posts asking questions for each piece of the room.
Seriously though, you guys are titties.
Don't know what I'd do without RIU.

My setup is four 3x3 tents, all with custom build LED strip lights. Veg closet is roughly 2'x4'. 3000k in all 4 tents, 5000k in veg closet. Around 300-330 watts per tent.
Working on getting a perpetual going. 2 plants in the veg closet, 3 weeks apart.
1 of the 3 tents will have a veg plant for another 3 weeks and then flip to flower. Once it leaves the veg closet it stays in the same tent for the rest of its life. Ideally 3 more weeks veg, 9 weeks flower.

My ducting system which you guys helped me with too is working great. 4 tents, all 6" ducting. 2 wyes taking the 4 ducts down to 2. 2 ducts going into an air tight container. Big ol' 8" carbon filter inside of the container. One 8" duct connected to the filter, connected to a way overpowered 8" inline. Wanted to run it very low so I went overpowered. Full power it could change the entire room not just tents, in under a minute.
Container basically just acting as a lung to try and reduce stinky air in the room.
I did buy two 6" inline fans because I was told that the tents wouldn't vent air equally with only the 8 inch pulling through.
I can feel air movement in all 4 tents, not equal but its there. I guess I won't know if I need the 6 inchers until flowering starts.

Plan on doing a scrog, got the nets ready to install.

Strains vary, all from seed. I don't plan on keeping any mothers due to space. Which kind of bums me out with all these expensive seeds and high quality strains. I do plan on taking a few clones for buddies, so maybe the good ones will live on.

Currently have
Rarw dankness - 3x grape ox (bigger plants, not femized, unsure on sex yet, freebie seeds)
G 13 labs - double black (feminized, freebie seed) Its the smaller veg plant.
Humboldt seed organization - Blue dream (feminized, grown this strain before with great success, good growth, good taste, big buds, classic blue dream) seedling still, not shown.

All seeds are from attitude seed bank, which is the only seed bank I've used honestly, but I would highly, highly recommend them to anyone.

Again, sorry for the short stories, I hope someone is high enough or interested enough to enjoy this.

Sounds like you got a lot of things going right. I wish I had more space. I'm limited to my 3x3 space. Run mostly fems due to my size restraints.
As we all evolve as growers we will find what style suits us best considering all our unique setups. I can say with great certainty that I'm liking coco so far. Definitely seeing more aggressive growth compared to soil. I do have the luxury of an 8 foot tent so I try to grow my plants tall that way to maximize my yeilds. Best of luck on your grow.

Southside112 said:

Sounds like you got a lot of things going right. I wish I had more space. I'm limited to my 3x3 space. Run mostly fems due to my size restraints.
As we all evolve as growers we will find what style suits us best considering all our unique setups. I can say with great certainty that I'm liking coco so far. Definitely seeing more aggressive growth compared to soil. I do have the luxury of an 8 foot tent so I try to grow my plants tall that way to maximize my yeilds. Best of luck on your grow.

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Hell yeah, buddy!

I've been confined to 1 or 2 grow tents for years and finally got the opportunity to ramp it up a bit. Didn't hesitate. I have also seen some seriously aggressive, almost unbelievable growth, with coco which is why I'm so interested.
With time and errors I'll have some bushes in no time

I've never actually heard someone growing taller plants on purpose due to room restrictions. Do you use side or under canopy lighting at all?

Stop treating your coco like soil.
Feed daily to substantial run off using a pH around 6.0.
Never give plain water........ever.
Never, ever let the coco get dry.
Pretty simple.

MickFoster said:

Stop treating your coco like soil.
Feed daily to substantial run off using a pH around 6.0.
Never give plain water........ever.
Never, ever let the coco get dry.
Pretty simple.

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Pretty much this. You're making it harder than it needs to be. Buy some dry salt nutrients like Jack's 3-2-1, MC 2-part, etc. Measure your feed EC and pH and water to significant runoff daily.

It's extremely easy once you get past your current bad habits. Or you can continue as you are now and continue to wonder why you have issues. Good luck.

Ben123456733 said:

Hell yeah, buddy!

I've been confined to 1 or 2 grow tents for years and finally got the opportunity to ramp it up a bit. Didn't hesitate. I have also seen some seriously aggressive, almost unbelievable growth, with coco which is why I'm so interested.
With time and errors I'll have some bushes in no time

I've never actually heard someone growing taller plants on purpose due to room restrictions. Do you use side or under canopy lighting at all?

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I have more lighting available. I have a 200w Timber and a 240w qb that are currently not being used. I've had around 600w in the 3x3 in the past. The 400w Timber blast the 3x3 pretty good so I'm using that alone this run. As to my style I'm limited horizontally so I utilize my vertical space as best I can. I got a gorilla tent w extension so it's 8 feet tall which is one the taller tents on the market.
I have ran a custom rdwc before with explosive growth so I have seen first hand what hydro is capable of. Cheers.
Rdwc pic in 3x3.

Gogro pots bro
Takes all the guess work out of watering/feeding
First pic, 1st April
Second pic, 1st may

It's really only 2 plants that make up 90% of the greenery in there, I just kept the clones going even though they're not really getting any light

Im brand new to growing.

I’ve been following the articles on this site and my coir plant is blowing my soil ones away.

It explains how and why everything works so if you read enough it will all make sense. Just follow the directions and you’ll be good.

I’m finding coir much easier than soil since I know everything that’s going in and out of it.

Mines currently 23 days in a one gallon of coir/perlite and it’s taking half a quart three times a day to get enough run off. If you prep it right it says you cannot over water in coir which makes things easy.

I’m also in fabric pots with super low rh.


Seriously just read and bookmark all the important articles on that site.