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Coco and adding ph to water

Chemichael

Chemichael

New member
I had a thought on the way home. If I don't start a few autos I'll have nothing really going on in space where I can grow since the tent will be my 12/12 room.

I dont currently ph my water. It's some of the cleanest drinking water in the country from tap and probably around a 6.8ph

i got some coco bricks and figured if try so I need to get CalMag. I understand why. I also will be using fox farms 3 as it's what I have.

Do I really need to ph the water as well or is this done as a general precaution based on your areas water quality from tap?

Other than that Do I need to look out for anything else? I was either going to make the coco dirt soon or make simple diy dwc

problem with the dwc is amount of plants. One per tub is ideal meaning I need two tubs 2 plants. If yield for auto dwc will double might be worth it.

Anyone convince me one way or the other? Any more pros /cons
 
Hi Chem

In the plants point of view your water at 6.8 is to high for plants, it means the lower the ph the more acid the higher the more alkaline, neutral is 6.00 it helps the plant take in all the good stuff your feeding them.

So check after you mix nutrients what the ph is before a water
 
Ph..6 .....always always always!!!! This is the first thing we are all taught!!! Do not waiver on this.

Hydro is not a guarantee double yield...I'd say it doesn't matter either way...over the years I've done both...alot....

Most important aspect is the grower....how good are you...I am willing to wager pretty good!!

Pros for hydro...people will think your cool...
You don't have to hand water...
no added nutes except for what you add

Pros for all other media.....it's easy
It's cheaper
Its more forgiving
You can take plant and walk with it
Can take old dirt and put into compost for outdoor garden

All kinds of pros man

Cons..Hydro....plants are stationary...sucks
Not forgiving with nutes.
Cost alot
Many parts
Gotta clean out Reservoir
something else to plug in
all the water..humidity problems potentially

Cons....soil type
Bugs can come in dirt
Hand water
Unexpected nute problems...(usually with everything except coco)


There are more to both sides I know...

My number one rule....Keep it simple!!!!

​​​​​​​My $.02
 
Well..did you ever see "my first LED journal" PDF posted?
I list my smart pots, medium mix etc.
i cannot interject enough YES. PH your liquid after adding nutrients and adjust. Get a Blue Lab pen...I am being very direct here..and do not mean to be offensive in any way. Yes Cali mag for sure. I grow exclusively in:
platinum Cyco coco coir ( I did bricks for 2 years..hand rinsing & squeezing TWO times) I like the Cyco.
i feed GH Trio, CaliMag, Bloom in flower, and Terpinator thruought.
my coco mix is 3 parts coco I part Vigaro perlite ( I like the size of it)
i follow the schedule posted by Nebula &Sirius- half strength but this time not flushing every two feeds per instructions. All is good. Flush at the end.
i love my media and do consider changing but don't want to break what is fixed
big blab my bad.
 
Here's my opinion:

DWC is unparalleled with growth rates. You need a light big enough to use the full potential though. I think this gets overlooked. I highly suggest you add something in bloom to sweeten the crops as dwc doesn't quite have the flavor that organics can generate in my experience. I used Bud Candy, love it. You're also forced to use chemical nutrients. All depends on if that matters to you or not.

Soil is pretty much the opposite end of the spectrum. Slowest growth, best flavor. Organics are recommended in soil, IMO. PH can drift in various medias though. Super soils and such are becoming very popular too. Just add water is an attractive prospect.

Coco is the best of both worlds. Fast growth and good flavor. I can see why it's so popular. Inert media so no ph drift. Everything is direct input with a buffer to boot. You can use organics and microbes do fine in coco.

Some of this is debatable. Let me know if you disagree and I'll send Tika after you with a rolling pin.
 
Yes you gentlemen could indeed have one fine garden...not a doubt in my mind.

and! PS..not all coco coir are the same: bags /brands differ greatly in texture /shred. Some contain a lot of salts..like the bricks which is why they have to be rinsed so much before putting it in spot.
 
now that's a nasty image ...ugh
I'm not saying coco is the only way to go by any means but more that it takes a litle more attention than we are LED to believe by the companies or hydro stores
 
So you like the Blue Lab pen vs. the cheaper pens? I went for the cheaper pen for my first grow but have always had doubts about accuracy at that price point.
 
Clear Haze the Blue Lab is the only pH. Pen I have used. As I said the liquid test stuff drove me nuts! So don't know if a cheaper one might be just as good.
Blue Lab has to be kept moist ( there is a medium for that) or it will die. Calibrating it maybe every month & 1/2, mediums for that. it's so easy I can do it. Light cleanings with soft toothbrush is a good idea.
readings are consistent and my leaves are good.
 
I have PH Sticks- and also marine aquarium PH tester. I dont think the marine tester will work as it looks for color- but the sticks may - as its not testing color- just PH. Gah...having ph thoughts now.
 
As a follow up to this topic

Regarding Autos- and putting them in their final pot when planting- I put 3 in coco- the medium is NOT wet/saturated- but moist feeling in the hand. Dry moist if you know what im mean.

When watering these autos going forward.... do I water the entire 3 gallon pot? Or just the circumference around the plant and roots- early on and this new medium, I dont want to over saturate areas that arent getting roots drinking if you know what I mean. I did fabric also - hoping that will help air out the bottom of these pots- not allowing any buildup etc. "

Any tips /thoughts on auto watering early stage in coco
 
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