Coco chips.

[gmanwho]

Seen coco coir or the finer coco blends.Threads everywhere on the fine coco.

Seen coco chips at the local Agway today and wondered, Anyone use "coco chips" from the husk? These chips were about 1/4in to 1/2 inch in size chips.

Was wondering if you can grow straight in them, or mix in with soil, or a coco chip & perlite mix?

Im sure there are lots of ways. But looking for someones input first, and or some mixing recipe's.

Thanks all & b-safe

 

[Guest]

I just started adding coco chips to my coir, as I hate how fine the coir is...and I hate adding clay balls and or perlite. The perlite and clay balls are rather noticable in my outdoor garden when I put it out there after a couple of runs indoor.

Check this cool read on coco chips for orchids.
http://www.ladyslipper.com/coco3.htm

Cheers,
SH

 

[gmanwho]

SuburbanHB.... that is some good reading there. A very good link there. One thing the spoke of is how to properly wash the chips before use. I have to read that article abit more later on, im exhausted now.

Have you ever rinsed the chips yourself? Was wondering how you accomplished this.

I actually got some botanicares coir today. Already pre rinshed pressed & steamed.

But i want to learn how to use the chips, especially that you can use coco a few times and tired of used soil laying around.

I also am leaning towards learning new ways of nutrients that i can find at larger home & garden stores. Hydro stores are expensive, and plus also much more riskier leaving a hydro store vs. a garden center.

Thanks for the input, & b-safe

 

[ShroomDr]

sunleaves has a product called 'piece coir'

Its super chunky, and it is what i use.

 

[Brain]

Would a product like this mixed in coco allow for mor feedings like perlite would?

 

[gmanwho]

Would a product like this mixed in coco allow for mor feedings like perlite would?

Unlike perlite, coco retains water. but also like perlite in the way it allows more oxygen at the root level. Just starting to experiment with coco myself, seems promising.



B-safe

 

[jimjay]

Would a product like this mixed in coco allow for mor feedings like perlite would?

I am using profit disks(pretty chunky) and hand watering twice a day in flower. I could be feeding more like 4x a day but i have been to lazy to set up a drip system. I think i like this coco more then the finer stuff i was using before but next time i will have drippers hooked up for more feedings.

 

[Father Jack]

I actually got some botanicares coir today. Already pre rinshed pressed & steamed.

But i want to learn how to use the chips, especially that you can use coco a few times and tired of used soil laying around.

I would still rinse the bontanicares coir. I use it as well....but the ec is still too high out of the bale. I rinse it with HOT water till I get the ppm's below 100.

You can reuse your coco many times as long as you give it a good rinse with HOT water between uses. I like to add some fresh coco chips and or coir to the used coco before replanting.

Would a product like this mixed in coco allow for mor feedings like perlite would?

Yes...you will find it drys out a bit quicker...which is a good thing...cause I find straight coir to hold water way too long. The chips really help airate the medium.

Unlike perlite, coco retains water. but also like perlite in the way it allows more oxygen at the root level. Just starting to experiment with coco myself, seems promising.
B-safe

In fact perlite does retain water. It can be used like a wick...so obviously...it can retain water...just not as much as coco. See hempy buckets...and the design allows perlite and vermiculite to work as a wick.

I am using profit disks(pretty chunky) and hand watering twice a day in flower. I could be feeding more like 4x a day but i have been to lazy to set up a drip system. I think i like this coco more then the finer stuff i was using before but next time i will have drippers hooked up for more feedings.

I have also used the disc straight and mixed with coir. Straight was very interesting...but I found hand watering a pain as it dried out a bit too quickely. I didn't have a drip system back then...but I think it would be excellent to use by itself in a drip. I mixed it with coir...and that worked out very well....but it seems to me that the chips will stay in a chunky manner longer than the discs will keep their larger size.

Jack