Coco fiber integrity and buildups longer term

[TheTreeBoundRat]

Throwing some questions into the ring. Please discuss...

 

How long does coco fibre hold its stuctural integrity? ei How soon does it get too dusty?

 

Does any one have a technique for separating dust out of the medium?

 

Are there any ferts or minerals that build up longer term that cant be removed by flushing and have a detrimental effect ?

 

When should you call it quits on reusing the same coco?

 

What else do ya reckon?

 

I'm really still a little inexperienced to hold ant firm opinions yet and am all ears.

 

Thanks

 

[freddie]

I have worked with plants (not cannabis) that have grown for over 7 years in coco in a run to waste hydroponic set up.

[bufo marinus]

I reckon the main problem reusing coco is getting rid of the old roots. Leaving too many in at the start of a new grow they will break down and attract fungus gnats as they decompose. Cannazyme seems to help speed this up though. Not being too much of a tight arse is also a good idea.

Seems to settle down and work better after being using for a grow, this imo, is possibly due to beneficial bacteria building up as the grow progresses.

Should be no reason the salts from the hydro nutes can't be leached out with fresh water, this is the one drawback with it though, they do accumulate very quickly. Last grow I did here this year, was in pots with drip trays so NOT a run to waste system, more like a potted plant. The feed regime was * feeding 3/4 strength (EC 1.4 - 1.6) at start * followed by straight water for next 10 days * no flush(was probably worth doing to check the runoff value but was confident it would work) * back to 3/4 strength for 1 feed * straight water next 10 days. This was using coco from previous grows mixed with some new stuff. Never had to check the runoff value, never flushed, had straight leaf at the end of the grow.

Throw away a lot of coco each grow so new stuff is always going in as well.

[bignose007]

Hi Bufo,

 

I grow in coco and just hand water, am having trouble trying to not have pot to wet or over fed etc.

 

should I run EC bout like you ( i use canna coc A+ for a few days then straight water for an amount of time (you said 10 days)

 

Cheers, Bignose

[Frazz]

heya Bignose007, an welcome here .. i see on another thread your questions on coco, well im not familiar with coco but many others here are so i suggest you start a thread of your own with the questions / problems you are experiencing and a brief description of your plants environment cause im sure folks here will put you on the right track with some great advice

 

all da best

[bignose007]

Thanks for the Welcome Frazz.

 

I've sussed out a few other threads that have pretty well answered my questions.

 

 

Cheers to your health