Multiple feed coco dtw for dummies

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Serverchris

Well-Known Member
So was looking at a floraflex system in the hopes of converting over and running multiple feed per day coco. My questions are about feed rate.

Say you were feeding 3/4 gallon of water once a day hand watering to 15% run off, would you just split that 3/4 gallon into 3 to 5 feeds to water the same amount per day?

Also are you feeding to runoff each time or just feeding enough to get some runoff by the end of the last feed?

If anyone does multiple feed coco please chime in on your feeding schedule including frequency, amount of feed, EC or PPM level and anything else someone should know.
 
gr865

gr865

Well-Known Member
Serverchris said:
So was looking at a floraflex system in the hopes of converting over and running multiple feed per day coco. My questions are about feed rate.

Say you were feeding 3/4 gallon of water once a day hand watering to 15% run off, would you just split that 3/4 gallon into 3 to 5 feeds to water the same amount per day?

Also are you feeding to runoff each time or just feeding enough to get some runoff by the end of the last feed?

If anyone does multiple feed coco please chime in on your feeding schedule including frequency, amount of feed, EC or PPM level and anything else someone should know.
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I am running a 5 plant vertical SCrog in 70/30 Coco/Perlite, automated irrigation and 6 cycles/lights on. Total solution used per lights on is 5 gallons. 600 to 750 ppm
1st =130 seconds - 20 to 25% runoff
2nd thru 5th = 60 seconds each - 15 to 20% runoff
6th = 145 seconds - 30% plus runoff.

7:15 total minutes watering time, 1.75 gallons total runoff/light cycle

My setup
Have put a cover over the rez now.
20190918_101836 (2).jpg

8 port Orbit manifold
20181005_095126 (3).jpg

Rainbird emitter, the marked white fitting is a quick disconnect.
20181005_095120_LI (2).jpg
 
S

Serverchris

Well-Known Member
Is that just an open flow manifold? I see the floraflex manifold has little restrictors you can put in to control the flow but it might just be better to put it on a short cycle timer and leave it open?
 
S

Serverchris

Well-Known Member
kwigybo88 said:
You dont need any runoff if youre feeding 5 or 6 times per day. Literally a few drops out the bottom of the pots is more than enough. Any more than that is just wasted nutes/water. 15-20% runoff is a figure for hand watering, not multi-feeding.
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Why is that? I'm not doubting you, I'm just curious why runoff wouldn't be needed?
 
kwigybo88

kwigybo88

Well-Known Member
Serverchris said:
Why is that? I'm not doubting you, I'm just curious why runoff wouldn't be needed?
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If the coco is consistently wet, and youre not overfeeding it'll take several weeks for salts to accumulate to a point where they become even a minor issue. I now water to significant runoff once every two weeks or so, sometimes longer. The rest of the time nah its barely a few drops if any. 5 to 6 feeds a day. The more you feed the less runoff you need. Simple as that. Its the drying of the medium which causes nutrient spikes.

I cant even imagine watering to 20-30% runoff with 6 irrigations a day. Thats a massive waste of nutes and water. Once the coco is wet, its wet. Maximally saturated, its not going to get any wetter by pouring another gallon through it and its the presence of water which prevents nutrient concentration.

Like I said tho, all of this is assuming a dialed system, appropriately sized pots, etc.
 
S

Serverchris

Well-Known Member
So I've decided to do the 8" floraflex pots and gonna try to compare coco to the small 1/4" rockwool cubes to see which come out on top. If the rockwool does good I might look into the big 6" or 8" cubes in the future.
 
gr865

gr865

Well-Known Member
kwigybo88 said:
You dont need any runoff if youre feeding 5 or 6 times per day. Literally a few drops out the bottom of the pots is more than enough. Any more than that is just wasted nutes/water. 15-20% runoff is a figure for hand watering, not multi-feeding.
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Do you have any research that defines your point?
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
gr865 said:
What?
I ask "Do you have any research that defines your point?"
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In response to your response to a different poster. There is no runoff when using blumats. So 15-20% runoff isn't necessary. That was the point I was attempting to make.

kwigybo88 said:
You dont need any runoff if youre feeding 5 or 6 times per day. Literally a few drops out the bottom of the pots is more than enough. Any more than that is just wasted nutes/water. 15-20% runoff is a figure for hand watering, not multi-feeding.
Click to expand...
Do you have any research that defines your point?
 
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