I’m a week out from first grow. Up until now I wanted to use coco and nutrients from ilovwgrowign…now I’m shaky. Should I be using coco AND another medium also? I guarantee this is going to be the funniest time line Eva. I’ll post often
Thanks
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You can. A lot of folks do.
But with straight coco and perlite you Know that the ph should be 5.8 - 6.0.
When you add the “ something else” to your mix the ph is ??? depending what you add.
If adding organic amendments then treat more like a soil grow and ph closer to 6.5 - 6.8.
But there may be a bit of a learning curve to find the sweet spot for your mix.
I use pro mix Sunshine 4 for the ease of use.
Ph usually runs 6.0 - 6.2 for me.
Good luck and welcome to ILGM.
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Thank You. I’ll look for pro mix sunshine 4 in my area… I’ll keep you posted. I’m going to try to be as preventive as possible.
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I get great results from viagrow coco coir from home depots site and jacks 321 ( along with Zeus juice, mr fulvic, fish sh!t, molasses, and silica)
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I mix my own soil.
4 parts coco coir
1 part composted manure/worm castings
1 part perlite
I use Happy frog dry amendments at half strength. I do alright…
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Welcome to the community. You will get lots of good information from the growers here. You will find there is no set way to do things and if you hang in there you will get your groove on and do great!! I am going with earth dust for my next grow. It is supposed to be super easy. No mixing a dozen different ingredients.
Happy Growing 
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My two cents FWIW - Straight coco with perlite. Since this is your first grow I fully endorse Keeping IT Simple. The fewer number of variables you add the easier it is to identify and correct an issue. A benefit as well as a drawback of coco is deficiency or excess presents its self more quickly. However, once identified the affect of the remedy is also faster. Therefore, with the number of growers around here using coco it is quite easy to post the question with a couple good photos and get replies that you can rely on. Soil is somewhat more forgiving. It takes a little longer for an issue to make itself known. This can also mean more of the plant is affected. With a hybrid medium you have to go through a deciphering process… is it an excess because I added this or is it a deficiency because…etc etc.
I have tried all three and several different nutrients. So for now, I have settled on and very happy with: coco with perlite, Jack’s 321 and a few basic add-ons. Great white for transplants and seedlings, Fish Sh!t, Fulvic/Humic acids (AN Mother Earth), a few others and I will add flower specific supplements when it is time.
But, back to KISS - start with Jack’s 321 only the first grow (microbe rootzone enhancers is OK to add - has no impact of PH or PPM). Get comfortable with it and go from there.
As long as I am carrying on…
Grow photos
Stick to one strain at a time.
Don’t start anything until you are willing to LST
I’m done. Good luck
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I couldn’t agree more with @beardless. If you want to go with coco, go with coco. If you want to go with soil, go with soil. Just don’t mix the two - at least not on your first grow. Coco mixed with soil-y amendments like worm castings isn’t coco any more. Nor is it soil. It’s neither fish nor fowl when it comes to what “rules” you will follow. And on your first grow, you need plain rules to follow to the letter. Coco (with or without perlite) will be your huckleberry.
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Thanks for the advice. You have no idea how much it means. I appreciate your time.
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Thanks Dr. Woo.
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No problem. As things come up or if you have questions, just ask.
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Welcome to happy place
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Yes you can @Speedycruz and welcome!
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Ok,
Just started to germ my seeds. Going to make my coco and add perlite. I’m hoping to plant Friday(fingers crossed).
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Day one in the medium
Ok I have them finally all in the coco. Dropping the light to 4/5 inches above girls. Shooting for 74degrees.
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Just a reminder - be careful when you start with the water / nutes. There won’t be Jack-squat for roots for the next week and a half. It’s really easy to get too close and/or too aggressive when watering and displace or damage the lil feller.
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Thanks Doc. I’ve decided to concentrate on the temp in the area since it is cold here. I also covered with the bottom of plastic quart jugs. Out of sight / out of mind for 36 hrs. I’m afraid I’ve taken too long to put them in coco.
Welcome aboard. You are in the right place. Good luck with first grow. All i have to suggest is dont freak out. Everything takes time. Worry if immediate reactions. Otherwise most issues can be fixed with some time and patience. I also never toss a girl till she gives up. Everyone up here will help. LOTS of great knowledge to be had. Also a very respectable community. Everyone is kind and helpfull. A-holes do not last.
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@Storm thanks for the info. I will try to keep questions down and research my butt off
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Don’t sweat the questions. Ask away. Good call on the temp, btw. Huge difference between <70 and >70 in growth rate.
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