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1st... to member Dalaihempy for sharing method. no attempt to hijack thread... just sharing...
yes, coco holds lots of water...
read post 13
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showpost.php?p=2936636&postcount=13
for an alternative to 75+% coco...
to make it very simple, mix @ 50%/50% coco/perlite (chunky, but any grade will do). or coco & hydroton/pumice/marble chips/orchid bark (large)/lava rock... ........
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hope this helps. enjoy your garden!
Thank you *mistress* for taking time to respond.
In a nutshell, I do think my trouble stems from not watering properly, too much. I don't want to ammend the coco for disposal reasons and just personal preference.
I'm learning that I need to be very careful not to overwater the plants until the root system is developed. That is as easy to master as is learning to clone LOL.
I'd like to try this. My buckets are ready. But what about the issue of "drain to waste" that most say is requiered using coco, so the excess ferts and salts get flushed out each watering. With the resevoir, it will all end up being used up by the roots. Any thoughts?
this cheapo, simple device can be very effective @ determining when to water...
soil moisture meter... applicable in coco...
~1-10 coins... depending on quality. cheapos work well. available everywhere...
measures from dry to moist to wet... should be relatively easy to insert into media & find moisture level... prongs are usually 12" long, so should be able to get good depth measurement - especially @ root ball depth - even in a 5 gal bucket...
maintaining a moist root environment seems advantageous, as opposed to dry or wet...
hope this helps. enjoy your garden!
But what about the issue of "drain to waste" that most say is requiered using coco,