Hi Gang, Does anyone have an opinion on using hydroton vs. coco in the Ebb & Grow Systems? The hydroton can be re-used...but you have to sterilize or clean them (work) The Coco probably can't be re-used since it's like chewing tobacco consistency. Any thoughts? ....or comments on nutes too? Thanks
Coco can be reused, after a good flushing, to remove flowering nutes. Also I prefer it cause when those gritty little clay balls are moved they irretate the root system.>)
Thanks Nat.... I've gotten mixed opinions on hydroton vs. coco. Some say hydroton is better...more air cycles...others say it's too hard to clean. Some say coco is not 'neutral' medium and harder to control nutes. As to flushing, how would that go? Just put it back into large trough (like cattle trough) and run water over it? Thanks.
Just spray it down in a trough or basket as long as it has lot;s water flow, no pooling. turn it with a pitch fork or shovel while rincing. Yep! there's good n' bad with both, I found the best way to water coco IMO is to set a 360Degree sprinker with a 1' spray diameter set the stake near th middle and adjust the spray to fall about 2" inside the edge of the pot, this way water and nutes a spread evenly over the roots. As a matter of fact I leave the old roots in the coco to help feed the new plant, but thats just me:>)
No spraying involved with this system. It floods as many times a day as you set it. (3-4 seems normal with hydroton...once a day with coco). Damn hydroton comes from Germany...price of the junk is nuts. Why hasn't anyone made it here in US?
Yeah it's like $30 a bag where I bought it once; just once! That's one reason I op'd for coco @ $14. If ya use the coco chips you'll get the same effect as hydroton except that the coco will retain a bit of moisture which is good for the roots,IMO:>)
