Does Coco coir need microbes?

[VILEPLUME]

Coco comes inert so life needs to be put back into it. So does that mean beneficial bacteria, fungi, seaweed, need to be added to help it grow?

 

[Richard Drysift]

Not really; it is not as simple as just adding microbes. Like you say straight coco is inert and as a result is best used as a hydroponic medium. If you plan to use nutrients w/coco as a medium then you’ll need to adjust PH. If you prefer the organic route then just use coco as a soil amendment by adding it to compost, fertilizer, and other inputs like minerals in a living soil mix. It is microbial activity and soil composition that regulates PH in an organic grow; these are very much related.
So you can either add coco to an existing soil mix or simply use it as is but if used as a soil-less medium you’ll need to take the extra step of adjusting ph for feeding and/or watering. Plus you’ll need to provide NPK in soluble form in order to be absorbed by plants. You can’t just add liquid microbes amd mycorrhizae to a brick of hydrated coco and call it a day.

 

[Modern Selections]

I always wash, ph and pre-charge coco with cal/mag and microbes for 48 hrs before use.

Full transparency, I see no difference in using straight un-charged coco lol

 

[VILEPLUME]

I always wash, ph and pre-charge coco with cal/mag and microbes for 48 hrs before use.

Full transparency, I see no difference in using straight un-charged coco lol

lol

 

[VILEPLUME]

Not really; it is not as simple as just adding microbes. Like you say straight coco is inert and as a result is best used as a hydroponic medium. If you plan to use nutrients w/coco as a medium then you’ll need to adjust PH. If you prefer the organic route then just use coco as a soil amendment by adding it to compost, fertilizer, and other inputs like minerals in a living soil mix. It is microbial activity and soil composition that regulates PH in an organic grow; these are very much related.
So you can either add coco to an existing soil mix or simply use it as is but if used as a soil-less medium you’ll need to take the extra step of adjusting ph for feeding and/or watering. Plus you’ll need to provide NPK in soluble form in order to be absorbed by plants. You can’t just add liquid microbes amd mycorrhizae to a brick of hydrated coco and call it a day.

thanks for the detailed reply. My plants are turning lime in late veg. My ph is always around 6 and ppm around 600-700. My water soluble fert is 9-7-16 so I’m thinking I need to add more N. would urea be best or another type of N for a coco grow?

 

[7CardBud]

You wanna use nitrates in coco, urea is mainly used in living soils.

Amazon.com : Southern Ag Calcium Nitrate - 5 Pound Bag : Fertilizers : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[VILEPLUME]

You wanna use nitrates in coco, urea is mainly used in living soils.

Amazon.com : Southern Ag Calcium Nitrate - 5 Pound Bag : Fertilizers : Patio, Lawn & Garden

thanks I just ordered a bag of calcium nitrate. Should I add epsom salts to balance the Ca from the Calcium Nitrate?

 

[7CardBud]

thanks I just ordered a bag of calcium nitrate. Should I add epsom salts to balance the Ca from the Calcium Nitrate?

It's possible you might need a little epsom. Ideally, you want to have your Mg PPM at around 50% Ca PPM. Do you have an analysis of the solution you are using?

 

[7CardBud]

Looks like the Southern AG may not be solution grade after seeing some of the reviews. Sorry 'bout dat...I don't want you to wind up with a bag of lawn fertilizer. Hopefully you can cancel if got the that one.

This will definitely be solution grade.

Amazon.com : Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0 Fertilizer Bulk Pricing (5 POUNDS) : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[VILEPLUME]

It's possible you might need a little epsom. Ideally, you want to have your Mg PPM at around 50% Ca PPM. Do you have an analysis of the solution you are using?

Im using the mega crop 9-7-14.

 

[VILEPLUME]

Looks like the Southern AG may not be solution grade after seeing some of the reviews. Sorry 'bout dat...I don't want you to wind up with a bag of lawn fertilizer. Hopefully you can cancel if got the that one.

This will definitely be solution grade.

Amazon.com : Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0 Fertilizer Bulk Pricing (5 POUNDS) : Patio, Lawn & Garden

No worries. I’m in Canada and bought this one: Mega Crop 2 Part B 15.5-0-0 Hydroponic Soil Fertilizer for Plants Calcium Nitrate https://a.co/d/4bxHbx4

 

[Richard Drysift]

thanks for the detailed reply. My plants are turning lime in late veg. My ph is always around 6 and ppm around 600-700. My water soluble fert is 9-7-16 so I’m thinking I need to add more N. would urea be best or another type of N for a coco grow?

Cannot tell you for sure; have not used soluble nutrients in a real long time. I’m more of a fertilize, compost and water type of grower. Living soil eliminates most absorption issues like this. I do agree that it stands to reason that you either need a fast form of soluble N (like pee); would think that 700 ppm oughta do it though. Possibly could be an absorption issue.

 

[Gemtree]

thanks for the detailed reply. My plants are turning lime in late veg. My ph is always around 6 and ppm around 600-700. My water soluble fert is 9-7-16 so I’m thinking I need to add more N. would urea be best or another type of N for a coco grow?

That’s usually magnesium deficiency

 

[7CardBud]

1g/L of Epsom is 100ppm Mg, 130ppm Sulphur.
1g/L CalNit is 145ppm Nitrate, 12ppm Ammonium, 190ppm Calcium.

That stays very close to the 2 to 1 balance of Ca to Mg.