FlowerPower88
Well-Known Member
Even with 70/30 perlite? And how long generally until you see roots?
Straight coco vs 70/30 with perlite
- Thread starter FlowerPower88
- Start date
Star Dog
Well-Known Member
No not even with 70/30 mix, they're too small to evaporate the moisture out of the coco to the point of needing watered before they root, generally I'll see roots in 9/12 days.
if they were taking longer than usual to root I'd see they needed watering but it's never happened as yet.
Pot size, temps and your local humidity would all play a part I'm basing that on 1ltr air pots 23/24c 60/70% rh.
FlowerPower88
Well-Known Member
Thank you
Nizza
Well-Known Member
one major thing about watering frequency with any medium is that if the humidity changes, it can mess with your watering timings
I go straight coco but I am in air pots, so I want extra moisture
I used to do hempy with straight perlite and It worked great too
Now with the air pots i use capillary mats made by floraflex beneath my watering system's dispersal trays during the winter, and not during the summer. It helps keep a little extra moiture in the coco when it is the dry season, I have thought about changing to a closed pot in the winter. If I did that I think i'd add perlite and use a cap on the top of the pot if I am worried about dry weather
I go straight coco but I am in air pots, so I want extra moisture
I used to do hempy with straight perlite and It worked great too
Now with the air pots i use capillary mats made by floraflex beneath my watering system's dispersal trays during the winter, and not during the summer. It helps keep a little extra moiture in the coco when it is the dry season, I have thought about changing to a closed pot in the winter. If I did that I think i'd add perlite and use a cap on the top of the pot if I am worried about dry weather
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FlowerPower88
Well-Known Member
This is my first indoor grow, I was going to do DWC then realized by the end of May my reservoir would be hard to keep below 70f economically. So I pivoted to coco and I knew that you need less medium w. Coco, but I was scared to go less than 3 gallon. What issues will that lead to?
Nizza
Well-Known Member
3 gallon air pots work good for me but they're actually like 2.2 gal or something. I use 2 in a 2x4 or 6-8 in my 5x5
Star Dog
Well-Known Member
I regularly grow in 3ltr and 5ltr pots of coco the only difference in is the 3 ltr need feeding more frequently my system is automated so it's not a problem, if I was hand feeding I'd use 10 or 15ltr as a bigger pot is easier to maintain and has less ec swings between feeds .
FlowerPower88
Well-Known Member
I’m clearly seeing roots going right down the sides of the cup after 3 days, would you wait on transplanting for 10 days or sooner? I’m gonna wait 2-3 days minimum anyway, but Jesus those roots shot quick!
Star Dog
Well-Known Member
I like to transplant soon as its suitable I wouldn't wait 10 days just for it to be 10 days I'd pot them soon as they're ready.
Eta...
I wanted to get these into flower asap so I potted them at 10 days.
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FlowerPower88
Well-Known Member
Sunday my pots come in, so I think they are going in then, would you say before lights out, or just after lights on for the transplant?
Star Dog
Well-Known Member
Just whenever it's convenient for you, imo it doesn't matter when you do it.
I've added a picture above, the stems might appear to be to long, the idea is that the whole stem roots once potted giving you a greater area of rooting surface, every little helps
inlovewthecoco
Well-Known Member
Sorry to reply on old thread, but can you get away with watering less often in straight coco or do you still need to water daily like in 70/30?
calvin.m16
Well-Known Member
I sometimes have to buy a couple bags of pure coco and it waters the same as coco perlite blend for me. I think perlite holds a lot of water once hydrated. I prefer the perlite version cause its easier to haul up and down stairs and also I don't drive a truck and need 12-14 1.8 cu/ft bags so I try to not put too much weight in my trunk/backseat of my car.
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
Perlite doesn't hold nearly the water per volume as does coco. It's used as an amendment to provide more aeration to a grow medium.
Fill a cup w/ coco and cup w/ perlite, drain off the excess. The difference will be obvious without a scale.
inlovewthecoco
Well-Known Member
Perlite is essentially a porous rock. It physically can't hold much water.