Contents
Learn how to grow cannabis in coco coir, a sustainable growing medium made from coconut husks. This guide covers everything you need to know, from amending your coco to watering your plants.
Checkout this video:
The Benefits of Growing Cannabis in Coco
Cannabis plants grown in coco coir have several benefits over those grown in soil, including increased drainage and aeration, as well as a more stable pH level. Coco coir is also a more sustainable grow medium than soil, as it is made from renewable coconut husks. Plants grown in coco coir also require less fertilizer than those grown in soil, as the coir itself contains nutrients that the plants can utilize.
Coco coir is often used as a grow medium for hydroponic systems, as it provides an ideal environment for roots to thrive in. When growing cannabis in coco coir, it is important to ensure that the coco coir is properly buffered and changed out on a regular basis. As with any grow medium, coco coir can become compacted over time, which can lead to problems with drainage and aeration.
How to Prepare Your Coco for Cannabis
If you’re growing cannabis in coco, you’ll need to prepare your coco once it arrives. Cannabis growers typically use one of two methods to prep their coco. The “rinse and drain” method is the most common, and involves doing exactly what it sounds like – rinsing the coco with water and then draining it. Some growers like to soak their coco for 12-24 hours before rinsing and draining. While this isn’t strictly necessary, it can help pre-moisten the coco and make it easier to work with.
The second method for prepping coco is known as the “dry start” method. This involves adding just enough water to moisten the coco without saturation, and then letting it sit for a day or two until the coco has absorbed enough water to be pliable but not soggy. Once the coco is ready, it can be used like any other growing medium – amended with nutrients and pH balanced before adding your cannabis plants.
How to Plant Your Cannabis in Coco
Now that you have all of your materials, it’s time to plant your cannabis in coco!
To start, fill your grow pot or container with coco coir. You can use your hands to break up any large chunks of coco coir so that it’s easier to work with.
Once you have a nice layer of coco coir in your grow pot, it’s time to add your cannabis seeds. You can either sprinkle them on top of the coco coir or gently press them into the surface.
Next, add another layer of coco coir on top of the seeds. This will help to keep the seeds moist and protected.
Now, water your cannabis seeds using a gentle sprayer or watering can. Be sure to saturate the coco coir so that it’s evenly moistened, but don’t overdo it!
Place your grow pot in a warm, bright spot and keep an eye on the moisture level of the coco coir. You may need to water your plant daily or every other day depending on the conditions in your grow space.
Once your cannabis plant has germinated and is starting to grow, you can begin fertilizing with a high-quality liquid fertilizer designed for use with coco coir. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for best results.
How to Water Your Cannabis in Coco
Watering your cannabis in coco is a little different than watering your plants in soil. For one, coco is much more absorbent than soil, so you don’t need to water as often. Secondly, coco tends to dry out from the top down, so you want to make sure you are watering deeply enough to reach the roots.
Here are a few tips on how to water your cannabis in coco:
-Water early in the day so that the plant has time to dry out before nightfall.
-Check the moisture level of your coco before watering by sticking your finger into the media. If it feels dry more than an inch below the surface, it’s time to water.
-Use filtered water if possible, as chlorine and other chemicals can be harmful to your plants.
-When watering, allow the water to run through until it starts draining out of the bottom of the pot. This will ensure that the roots are getting watered evenly.
-Be sure not to over-water, as this can lead to problems like root rot.
How to Fertilize Your Cannabis in Coco
Cannabis plants love coco coir, especially when it’s used as a growing medium. Cannabis roots readily colonize coco, and the plant will soon develop an extensive root system. This is because coco coir has an ideal ratio of air to water, which encourages root growth.
Cannabis plants grown in coco also benefit from the high level of oxygen that is present in the growing medium. This oxygen level promotes a healthy root system, which is essential for healthy plant growth.
Coco coir can be used as a standalone growing medium or as a mix with other growing media such as perlite or vermiculite. It is important to remember that coco coir is an organic material, so it will break down over time. This breakdown process will release nutrients into the soil that your cannabis plants can use.
To fertilize your cannabis plants in coco, you will need to use a fertilizer that is specifically designed for coco coir. These fertilizers are usually marketed as “coco-specific” or “coco-ready” and are widely available from online and brick-and-mortar retailers.
When choosing a fertilizer for your cannabis plants in coco, look for one that contains all of the essential macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) as well as micronutrients such as iron, magnesium, and calcium. You should also look for a fertilizer that has been formulated for use with hydroponic systems, as these fertilizers will be more easily absorbed by your plants.
It is important to remember that cannabis plants grown in coco coir will need more frequent fertilization than plants grown in other types of soil. This is because the nutrients in coco are quickly used up by the plant and need to be replaced on a regular basis. A good rule of thumb is to fertilize your plants every two weeks with half the recommended dose of fertilizer.
How to Train Your Cannabis in Coco
Whether you’re a first-time grower or a seasoned pro, training your cannabis plants can help you get the most out of your harvest. When grown in coco, cannabis plants can be trained using a variety of methods, including topping, Mainlining, LST (low-stress training), and SCROG (screen of green). Here’s a quick rundown of each method:
Topping: Topping is a method of training cannabis plants that involves removing the main stem just below the tallest set of leaves. This encourages the plant to produce two new main stems, which can then be trained themselves. Topping can be done once or multiple times throughout the grow cycle.
Mainlining: Mainlining is a cannabis training technique that involves removing all but the two middle branches on each side of the main stem, leaving a “Y” shape. This forces the plant to put all its energy into the remaining middle branches, resulting in larger buds.
LST (low-stress training): LST is a type of training that involves manipulating the plant’s stems and leaves in order to encourage horizontal growth. LST can be done with or without stakes, and can be performed throughout the grow cycle.
SCROG (screen of green): SCROG is a cannabis training technique that involves using a screen or netting to train the plant’s branches and leaves horizontally. This technique forces the plant to produce more buds that are evenly spaced out along the screen. SCROG can be done with or without stakes, and is typically performed during the vegetative stage.
How to Harvest Your Cannabis in Coco
A guide on how to properly harvest your cannabis in coco.
Cannabis plants grown in coco need to be harvested correctly in order to ensure the best possible quality of the final product. There are a few steps that need to be followed in order to ensure a successful harvest, and they are outlined below.
1. The first step is to properly flush the coco media prior to harvest. This is done by giving the plants a large amount of plain water about two weeks before harvest, and then allowing the media to dry out completely. This will help to get rid of any residual nutrients that may be present in the media, and also help to increase the trichome production of the plant.
2. Once the media has been flushed and is completely dry, it is time to cut down the plants. They should be cut as close to the base of the stalk as possible, and all large fan leaves should be removed.
3.The next step is to hung the cannabis plants upside down in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area for 7-10 days. This will allow them to properly dry out and cure, which is essential for preserving their quality.
4. Once they have finished drying, they can then be trimmed and stored in glass jars or containers in a cool, dark place. If done correctly, your cannabis should last for many months without losing any of its potency or flavor.
