My next grow i want to go coco so i can space my plants out how i want and properly scrog. (and also deal with less of the equipment problems i had with rdwc and save a little on electricity)
I already have the lights and tent and exhaust, im just not sure what i need to be getting in terms of stuff for growing in coco.
I’m looking to use mother earth coco + perlite 70/30 mix as my medium.
Im thinking starting in solo cups and transplanting to 5 gallon fabric pots, or should i go 7/8 gallon with a 3 gallon between?
im want to make the scrog nets with pvc piping and such, not really sure what i should use for the actual net part, any suggestions?
in my 8x4 tent, i want to have 3 4x2 screens on left middle and right, 2 plants under each screen with about a foot between each 4x2 for work space and an HLG 300L over each screen.
Im not sure what to use to raise the pots over the trays so i can more easily check runoff ppms and such. (i do have to do that with coco right? lol)
For nutrients right now, i have advanced nutrients ph perfect micro grow bloom, along with b-52, big bud, and overdrive. Are these nutrients going to work for me with coco? Or do i have to get something different?
Ive been thinking of a way to put my chiller that i will have sitting to use, is it a good idea to chill the water/water with nutes before watering the plants with them? or does the temp of the water not matter as im not in DWC?
If you don’t me asking, what kind of problem did you have with rdwc?
I’m like @Covertgrower, try Jack’s nutrients. I’m loving it.
Also, my understanding is, if the water going in is to much colder than the roots themselves, you take a chance in shocking your plants.
So, I would say negative on using the chiller
In terms of what you’ll need for coco, not much. Although running an drain to waste will probably get expensive. What you use for nutrients is entirely up to you, just remember to buffer your coco with calcium prior to planting if it’s not already done.
If it were me, I would probably go solo cup to 1/2 or 1 gallon plastic nursery pot, to 3 gallon fabric for flowering.
No help on coco as I have not used it yet but planning to at some point. No need to chill water. AN nutes will be fine. Pot elevators work great, can find them at BGHydro.
Here is a quick vid that shows my PVC scrog. I would use 3 gallons if you think the plant will be small. other than that. 5s can be used for about any size plant I have done. I use the little nursery pots to start. then just drop them in a final pot. I am liking the bags since they dry out faster. And give me less chance of over watering. Which I tend to be good at when they are small. I use the Big bud and such too. I got the big bud for coco and the plants do look better with it as to the normal one.
All of my initial air stones have clogged/gotten less bubbly, had to replace all of them.
I have to check every couple day to make sure my roots aren’t growing into my return lines as is it did that recently causing no water movement.
I want to scrog next grow but i can’t when i have to lift back bucket every couple days to make sure roots aren’t growing into the return lines (i do have a screen, it grew through it)
My water pump went out had to buy a new one.
My RDWC system also only covers about 6x4 of the tent, id like to utilize more of my tent space and spread the plants out more and scrog.
And i also want to save a bit on electricity lol.
How does a pvc frame sound. I would make a frame taller than you actually need and then make a separate scrog frame using these 4 way corners. The diameter of the corners would be large enough to slide up / down the frame. You could use set screws to lock it in the desired height
I actually built my scrog net frame into my tent using the tent’s poles. This will give you an idea of what I am talking about
I use this. The 1/8" cord. For my legs. I just use a straight fitting to splice in a different leg to adjust. Once this grow is over. i will be dropping my scrog 2 or 3" more. I think I am at 10" right now. That will allow more of the branches that are super close to the top actually get through the top. With the auto pots. I am not having to worry about getting under there to water right now. I wouldn’t say it expensive feeding in coco. it will use more though. I have never grown in soil though. So there may be a bigger difference than I realize
