g13laze

Which is better????? I'm just now getting into coco coir. I was going to buy the grodan "croutons" (the mini-rock wool cubes) but then the owner of the hydroponic store was telling me that it's not that great actually. Then he shoved a bag of B'Cuzz coco coir in my arms and told me it was the shit. I took his word for it

I normally use vermiculite but it can be nasty stuff when it's dry anyway

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Bongo Banger

i've been growing in coco for years, you're gonna love it. i always use 10-15% perlite mixed in. i really like the hydrated b-cuzz. here's a cut and paste from g. lows', "integral hydroponics."

COCO COIR
is a product derived from the husks of the coconut.
Visually it looks like peat.
It's air capacity is about 30%.
Coir is most suited as a run to waste medium.
Coir can become saturated and it is not truly inert medium.
This means that the nutrient will change over a short period (due to the nutrient collecting micro and macro elements as it passes through the coir.
Coir tends to release potassium and to withold calcium.
For this reason it is desirable to use a nutrient that is blended specifically for coir.
Coir has a remarkable capacity to protect the plants root system in times of heat.
It also tends to promote vigorous and healthy root development.
Plant growth tends to be very consistant with coir.
Coir is very tolerant of over and under watering, which makes it a very forgiving growing medium.
Coir has a very strong cation exchange ability, which means it can hold and release nutrient elements based on the plants needs.
Coir tends to retain nutrient salts. because of this, less nutrient (lower ec) is required.
On a less positive note, coir can also contain high levels of sodium (salt)....
If your growing in coir be aware that this can be a potential problem.
Either purchase a pre-flushed coir product or flush ph (5.5-6.0) stabilised water through the coir prior to use.
Measure the ec of the water and then measure the ec of the run off.
When they are the same, it is ready for use.
Large amounts of potassium are naturally present in coir.
Potassium competes with calcium and magnesium... buffering and plant nutrition needs to compensate for this!!
For this reason there are several nutrients that are specifically formulated with the coco coir's unique characteristics in mind.
By using a nutrient specifically formulated for the coir based system, you are ensuring that your plants are receiving the best possible nutritient package.

g13laze

I read that when they manufacture coco coir, salts build up in the coir b/c of the proximity to the ocean/beach. This causes a salt problem in coir if you don't thoroughly rinse it before using...

any truth to this??? Thanks Bongo for the great info

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