Better drainage

[Dr. D]

Im using bio-bizz all-mix organic soil and im on my second bag first bag was good but this second bag seems to really hold alot of water too much if u ask me the drainage isnt good enough and I dont want to add loads more perlite, i was thinkin of adding coir to my soil mix anyway cuz i wanna get max air too my roots and have better drainage so i get agood runoff wen i water the plants, wot do u guys (and gals) think about this??? i have heard that u can only use coir specific nutes for coir?? Some input on this wud be grately appriciated

 

[Dr. D]

ANYBODY...SOMEBODY.....?????

ANYBODY...SOMEBODY.....?????

.

 

[bartender187]

Lil confused, but ill try my best. You dont need to use Coir specefic nutes for Coco. To help along with drainage, a cheap alternative to Coir, is ammending with Perlite. Runoff is not neccessarily a good thing, because it can be a sign that your watering to much. Its good to water your plants, IMHO, where only a lil' bit of runnoff occurs.

bartender187

 

[Guest]

You said the first bag was good and the second one.wasnt...??

What was the difference between then and now in terms of the problem?

To add better aeration to your organic mix ii find adding coco peat helps me, also some peat moss and perlite.

The only thing is you need to watch for keeping them watered if youve got alot of aeration because they might dry out much quicker and wilting can leave you for dead really quick, quicker than overwatering...

 

[Okie grown]

TRY CHUNKY PERLITE

TRY CHUNKY PERLITE

THIS STUFF WORKS GREAT FOR DRAINAGE AND GETTING AIR TO THE ROOTS.

 

[Guest]

you can spray it down before use if it comes to you all dusty...not too good for long term breathing..

 

[Dr. D]

Thanks guys

Thanks guys

Leeroy, I was wanting to add something like that, thats why i thought of the coir cuz of its good drainage as to the soil mix iv found with this second bag it holds lots of water and im getting little or no run-off after watering loads more than other grows.

Okie, perlite is good but i find that in soil lots of perlite gets pushed to the top of the soil, iv found the same withe adding hydroton balls. peace

 

[Miguel Velcro]

Hi Dr D

The perlite/clay pebbles 'washing' to the surface is not a problem mate. Only the perlite from the top couple of cm will rise up
For drainage, perlite takes some beating imo.

Miguel

 

[BuzzBob]

The perlite/clay pebbles 'washing' to the surface is not a problem mate. Only the perlite from the top couple of cm will rise up

Preface this by my saying I am NOT a Soil Grower, so I may be wrong... But I'm buzzed and bored, and want to say sumpt'n!

Wouldn't the collection of {and possibly even addition of} perlite on the surface actually be beneficial in the fight against Gnats?


-BuzzBob

 

[Dr. D]

Hey there stoners

Hey there stoners

Miguel, thanks for the input
Buzzbob, do u mean gnats as in the flying little bugs?

 

[BuzzBob]

Yes'r! It is my understanding that Fungus Gnats breed in the top layer of soil, and that they prefer damp soil. Thus, by covering the soil with perlite, it denies the li'l bastages their prime breeding grounds.


-Bob

 

[Dr. D]

AHH

AHH

I didnt kno that, cant say iv ever had any problems with them but thanks for the input buzzbob.peace

 

[Guest]

Yup BuzzBob thats correct! keeping the top of your soil covered with Perlite, Lava Rocks, Hydrotron whatever will help keep your Gnat problems under control. Take away their dirt then they can't incubate.

Blatant

 

[Miguel Velcro]

....and a layer of perlite/lava helps keep moisture in, thus humidity down
Oh, and it looks nice too

 

[Guest]

Perlite rocks

Perlite rocks

I would never grow in soil(less) without it.

I do know that breathing in the dust from a fresh perlite sack over long term can harm your lungs so i will repeat that as many peeps dont worry about it and imo it is important. Just give it a spray down before working with it should be fine enough to save your lungs from particles.

Also its reusable after a good wash of any loose bits of perlite (not the root ball but left overs in the pot after harvesting). So to a point it can be recycled after siving out soil.

Its great for newbies in soil who overwater, great for gnats,great for moisture retention,and yeah it looks purdy

Its a half decent price so its affordable to even the most financially challenged...so yeah,.....i would definatly recomend perlite mate, and if it is rising to the top on you, how are you mixing it in...

Try mixing your medium in the bathtub or somewhere large like inside a garbage bag and give it a good hard thourough mixing... ive never had probs with rising perlite if mixed and planted properly. Besides. like the other guys said...rising perlite will only aid in your gnat resistance anyway...and water gently, not hard as the perlite will be disturbed less if you water softly.

 

[KRS Juan]

While rising perlite could mean bad mixing like leeroy said, it's also a sign that your using enough! If your sure you mix well that is. Most people dont use nearly enough perlite.

-KRS Juan-

 

[Guest]

I agree KRS, i love the stuff and use nothing less than 40% in my mixes.
Its great, i think it is perfect for the job of soil aeration.

 

[Dr. D]

Thanks stoners

Thanks stoners

Perlite it is, il add more perlite to the next grow and summa that coco peat, thanks guys.peace