|
 Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
 God
Yahweh
Registered: 09/26/08
Posts: 434
|
 starting seeds in coco 
#304859 - 10/27/09 06:44 PM (15 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Before popping the expensive genetics that I just acquired, I wanted to test my pet store coco, so I popped a couple bagseeds in a paper towel, then moved them to a small cup of coco, which had been rinsed until the runoff pH was around 6. It was a disaster. The seedlings stretched a lot under a 23w CFL until the stems were too gangly to support the weight of the leaves. This was due to the light being too far away, I was pretty sure, so I propped the seedlings up and moved the light to within a couple inches (making sure it wasn't too hot by putting my hand at canopy level). Soon after, the seedlings shriveled and died. Not cool.
My thoughts at this point are either (a) the light was too close (seems unlikely), (b) I was over watering (a little less unlikely), or (c) once the stem stretched, vascular tissue was to damaged to support life. I'd like to not kill my expensive seeds, so I wanted to get others' input on starting seeds in coco. What's your method?
|
 TheShroomJew23
The Chemist
Registered: 10/02/08
Posts: 739
Last seen: 13 years, 10 months
|
Re: starting seeds in coco [Re: God]
#304880 - 10/27/09 07:22 PM (15 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Get the coir to a pH of 7. You do not need to water unless the medium is dry and it should be covered so it shouldnt dry out. The light should be pretty close if its a cfl but not super close, like 4ins.
--------------------
|
God
Yahweh
Registered: 09/26/08
Posts: 434
|
|
pH 7? I thought optimal pH for growing in coir was 5.8...or is that only for nutrient uptake?
Thanks for the watering and lighting tips, I hadn't thought to cover the medium. Upon transferring seeds into coir, how much water should be added, assuming the coir started dry? As in, should I water until runoff like I would with an established plant, or should I just moisten the coir to "mushroom field capacity" before filling the pot with it?
|
TheShroomJew23
The Chemist
Registered: 10/02/08
Posts: 739
Last seen: 13 years, 10 months
|
Re: starting seeds in coco [Re: God]
#305013 - 10/27/09 10:18 PM (15 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Hydrate the coir and I put my coir at a 7pH so I know that it starts out neutral and where ever it goes is from my nutes.
--------------------
|
DudeTron
Registered: 10/24/09
Posts: 407
Last seen: 10 years, 11 months
|
|
I think 5.8 is more for hydroponic systems and soil(less) should run more like 6.8...
|
God
Yahweh
Registered: 09/26/08
Posts: 434
|
Re: starting seeds in coco [Re: DudeTron]
#305477 - 10/28/09 01:18 PM (15 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Coco in particular calls for a pH of ~5.5-6.0. Start here for more info.
|
DudeTron
Registered: 10/24/09
Posts: 407
Last seen: 10 years, 11 months
|
Re: starting seeds in coco [Re: God]
#305506 - 10/28/09 01:38 PM (15 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
See, that's what I get for trying to tell people what's up when my plants are only an inch and a half big and I've never had a grow before...  
|
God
Yahweh
Registered: 09/26/08
Posts: 434
|
Re: starting seeds in coco [Re: DudeTron]
#305512 - 10/28/09 01:47 PM (15 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
It's cool, we're all here to learn. If you (or anyone else) want to read a lot of info on coco growing, I recommend ICMag's coco forum, starting with the stickies.
|
Crusty Ass Bastard
Pheno Hunting
Registered: 08/02/09
Posts: 786
Last seen: 13 years, 10 months
|
Re: starting seeds in coco [Re: God]
#306194 - 10/29/09 01:36 PM (15 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
The 23w CFL is the likely offender here. Those output 1,000-1,400 lumens in all directions, of which 50-100 *might* be hitting your seedlings depending on how close the bulb is. Ideally you want 375 lumens hitting seedlings and clones as anything less can promote stretchiness and anything more will not be absorbed. Consider upgrading to at least 42w bulbs or larger.
Over-watering coco is hard to do, I doubt that was a factor. I water all clones & seedlings 2-3x daily and larger plants 1x daily, as opposed to once every 2-4 days in soil.
A ph of 5.8 is ideal like others have said.
Cheers and good luck.
 EDIT: Pic added for reference. These are sativa dominant and have been @ 12/12 from seed, but enough light and water keeps them very happy.
Edited by Crusty Ass Bastard (10/29/09 01:48 PM)
|
God
Yahweh
Registered: 09/26/08
Posts: 434
|
|
Quote:
The 23w CFL is the likely offender here. Those output 1,000-1,400 lumens in all directions, of which 50-100 *might* be hitting your seedlings depending on how close the bulb is. Ideally you want 375 lumens hitting seedlings and clones as anything less can promote stretchiness and anything more will not be absorbed. Consider upgrading to at least 42w bulbs or larger.
Very good points here! I didn't really consider the lumen loss, I'll have to use larger/more CFLs from the start.
When you say you water clones and seedlings "2-3x daily," do you mean pour water through until runoff, or give everything a good misting with a spray bottle?
|
|
Threaded
Previous
Index
Next
Edit 
Reply 
