Fox Farm nutes in coco

[DabberDog]

In the words of LL Cool J, I'm going back to coco.
I still have Fox Farm nutes: Grow Big, Big Bloom, and Tiger Bloom. Research says I can use them on coco but I cannot find dosing information. The Big Bloom does have instructions for recirculating systems.
Does anyone have suggestions on using the FF nutes in coco or is this something else I need to put on the Free Trade thread?

[Gator]

Start with half of what fox farm recommends, when I started growing that's what I used,fed the plants at full strength using ocean forest right out the gate,I did get some minor tip burn

[DabberDog]

For coco, not soil.

[Gator]

Maybe try,quarter strength, your going to feed multiple times a day right??

[DabberDog]

My way is once a day, full nutes, until I get a day of runoff, then I skip a day. Runoff in coco is unnecessary. Half a gallon of nutes to a 5-gallon bag works just right.
I know soil nutrients are not added with every watering, like coco. I also know soil nutrients can buildup and cause issues. I don't have the resources to experiment with this. If it's going to be an issue, I'll eat my losses and resign myself to a life as a coco-nut. HA!

[Bowhunterwoody]

Nebula says to use the hydro ff nutes for coco. Nothing about the soil nutes and coco anywhere that I can find.

[Gator]

So what do you mix with the coco, I've heard about using perlite, do you also use worm castings

[DabberDog]

Who's going to argue with Nebula?
However, Tiger Bloom is really the one that seems to be okay for soil and hydro. Not the Grow Big. Only maybe the Big Bloom.
Nerts. I'm over it. I still have a quart of coco veg nutes that'll last me another 5 years and a few other things that'll get me back in the swing of things.
The coco'll be here tomorrow. I have a couple sprouts in Happy Frog I'm considering transplanting. Damned tired of wasting seeds!

[Bluey]

Liquid nutes for cannabis are coco specific so make sure they are for coco.

Are you measuring EC or PPM? EC is preferable.

I take it you will be accurately measuring pH of the solution? This is a must do!

Start by giving the coco a wash in a strong CalMag solution. Then start with an EC of 0.3. It shouldn't need feeding more than twice a week at germination stage. At first leaf go to 0.4 and raise it slowly. You will be topping out around 1.6 to 2.2 depending on a few factors but especially your VPD. A dialled in VPD requires less nutes. Use frequent fertigation 3 to 4 times a day for very high yields and for maximum yields drip irrigation in coco is the go.

Perlite is not necessary but it will start a little slower. Zero perlite in the coco offers a greater buffer with a larger plant. If growing autos you can use perlite in high quantities under and close to the seed to encourage a fast start but once it matures you get the benefit of all coco at the mature roots.

[DabberDog]

I only measure pH. Any washing I do is by default when I run a couple gallons through fresh bags before planting. Been what I've been doing.
This FFHF shot was a debacle. I'll be starting new seeds of the same strain I have sprouted in the full FFHF when the coco comes mañana.

[Allotrope1000]

I use Nebula's half strength recommendation of GH Trio + CalMag in my 50/50 coco
/perlite greenhouse grow. Never check EC or PPM, just pH 6.0 +/-, and sunshine. Same mix for five years. Plants grow fine. Good buds.

I speculate that we overthink this whole soil/hydro/right nutrient thing. Cannabis has grown wild for 10,000 years. It can take care of itself. Rather worry about getting that extra ounce of yield, I just grow out another plant. This eliminates most worries.

[Gator]

Well said,I don't chase yeild

[golfnrl]

What Google AI said. I asked just for grins.

In a 50/50 coco and perlite blend, which is inert and fast-draining, you must treat the Fox Farm Trio (Grow Big, Big Bloom, and Tiger Bloom) like a hydroponic system. Unlike soil, this medium provides no initial nutrients, requiring you to start feeding earlier and maintain precise pH levels.
General Dosing & Application
For cannabis in coco/perlite, it is recommended to start at 1/4 to 1/2 the strength listed on the standard Fox Farm feeding chart to avoid nutrient burn.
| Nutrient | Vegetative Stage | Flowering Stage | Frequency |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Big Bloom | 2–6 tsp/gallon | 1–3 tsp/gallon | Every other watering |
| Grow Big | 2–3 tsp/gallon | None (or <1 tsp) | Every other watering |
| Tiger Bloom | None | 2–3 tsp/gallon | Every other watering |
Key Coco-Specific Instructions for 2026

• Mixing Order: Always mix nutrients in a specific order to prevent fallout.
  1. Cal-Mag Supplement (Crucial for coco/perlite as coco naturally binds calcium/magnesium).
  2. Base Nutrients: Add Grow Big or Tiger Bloom.
  3. Bios: Add Big Bloom.
  4. pH Adjuster: Always pH your solution after adding all nutrients.
• pH Range: Maintain a pH between 5.6 and 6.2 for optimal uptake in coco-based media.
• Runoff: Water until you see 10–20% runoff from the bottom of the pot. This prevents salt accumulation, which is a common issue in coco-perlite mixes.
• Flushing: Fox Farm recommends flushing with plain water or a flushing agent every two weeks when using coco to remove unwanted salt residue.

Feeding Schedule by Phase

1. Seedling/Early Veg: Start with Big Bloom only (approx. 6 tsp/gal) once the first true leaves appear.
2. Full Vegetative: Transition to a mix of Big Bloom and Grow Big.
3. Flowering: Once "pom-poms" (first flower clusters) appear, swap Grow Big for Tiger Bloom.

[DabberDog]

We're off tracks, folks.
BB, GB, and TB are made for soil. I am talking about using these soil nutrients in coco/perlite.
AI information is all over the place. One search says don't use soil nutes in coco. Another search tells me how to do it.
All information is like that. And a lot of the information is misleading when it says it's talking coco and hydro nutes, but actually talking soil and soil nutrients.
I'm over it. Thanks for the input, y'all.

[golfnrl]

I asked AI again for a feed schedule for the trio in coco, this time I mentioned the nutrients on hand are for soil. Answer is pretty much the same. Start off 1/4 to 1/2 strength. Adjust accordingly. Feed every watering. Supplement with Cal/Mag. Big Bloom use throughout the grow. Grow Big is for Veg. Tiger Bloom is started when you first see stigmas. Sounds easy.

[DabberDog]

I got you. I get the same information from AI. But I also get other information from AI that says don't. Fox Farm says yes and no, depending on the nutrient.
It's that 'adjust accordingly' that shivers my beard. Not too much and not too little or you'll kill them.
Maybe when Little Lucy is done, I'll experiment.
But, maaan... I gotta get some healthy dope growing!!!

[Ckbrew]

Well its all an experiment right? Just do what you want, dealer's choice. Just keep notes so you know what did and did not work. Next you will want to try grow dots.

[DabberDog]

I don't have the seed, space, time, or money for this sort of experiment. The AHxCH Happy Frog failure has put me way the hell behind in all regards. I thought I was going to have a chance for a couple manifolds or thrice topped fems in cooler weather (My dope grows the dopest in cool weather.) It's looking more like I'll have to go back to autos in warming weather. I'm seriously put off by my second set of seeds from this company and their total lack of customer support. Even if they told me they had no idea or told me I was doing something wrong, any response would be better than none. Got another one I have been happy with the few things I have gotten but they have absolutely no customer support. I will not do business with that sort of company.
The experiment that is going on is/are the Aunt Ginnie's in straight, 4 gallons flushed Happy Frog. The failure was in 50/50 HF/Coco(perlite). If the AG's grow, the failure was because of the seeds. A week in, they look like happy. I'll know for sure in two weeks or less.

[Bluey]

If using soil nutes in coco Id be using close to full strength calmag every feed till flower nutes. Adjust as required. You will be susceptible to calmag deficiency in coco with soil nutes.

[DabberDog]

I go full strength everything once veg starts.