new and need help on soil

[Auntynorm]

G'day Silent.

 

I'm using soil in my indoor grow, if you want, check out Norm Goes Indoors, in the Grow Diaries section. I go from when I first germinated the seed, up until now. :guitar:

[merl1n]

Here is a bit of a run down on perlite and coco fibre.

 

Perlite is a form of volcanic glass that is mined all over the world. Horticultural perlite is made by exposing perlite to heat, which causes the trace water contained in the perlite to expand, "popping" the perlite like popcorn. The result is a very lightweight, white stone-like substance. Perlite is prized for its moisture retention and aeration properties. It is naturally sterile and has a neutral pH. Horticultural perlite is used as a component in soilless growing mixes, a growing medium for rooting cuttings, or as a hyrdoponic growing media. Perlite is considered a "nuisance dust" by regulatory agencies, which means that efforts should be made to control perlite dust. This is why perlite needs to be washed thoroughly to reduce the particles.

 

Coco fibre is a natural fibre extracted from the husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, mattresses etc. Technically coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut. Other uses of brown coir (made from ripe coconut) are in upholstery padding, sacking and horticulture.

 

I've not used fibre but from all reports is good for run to waste systems and not so good for recirc as some of the fibre, being natural breaks down. The one point growers in coco fibre do stress is that you need to buy coco specific nutes, not just hydro nutes. This may assist in maintaining stable pH. My nutes do in perlite.

 

Merl1n