Coco Academy v1.0 Beta

Watering & Nutrient Delivery

Watering is arguably the most critical aspect of plant care, and it's highly specific to each plant, its genetics, and its environment. There's no one-size-fits-all schedule; instead, you'll learn to read your plants and their medium.

When to Water: Reading Your Plant & Medium

The Golden Rule: Water When Needed, Not on a Schedule!

Your plants will tell you when they're thirsty. Relying on a strict schedule can lead to over or under-watering, both detrimental to root health.

Key Indicators:

  • Lift the Pot: This is the most reliable method for coco coir. A dry pot will feel significantly lighter than a freshly watered one. Develop a feel for the weight.
  • Check Top Inch: For soil or coco, stick your finger about an inch deep. If it feels dry, it's likely time to water.
  • Leaf Turgidity: Slightly drooping leaves (not wilting) can indicate thirst.

The 'Lift Test' is Your Best Friend

After a thorough watering, lift your pot to feel its weight. Do the same when you suspect it\'s dry. This physical comparison is invaluable for learning your plant\'s watering needs.

Signs of Overwatering: The Silent Killer

Quick Overview:

How Much Time: Immediate action (hours to a day) to prevent root rot.

First Thing to Do: Stop watering immediately. Ensure proper drainage and airflow.

What to Watch For: Drooping leaves (heavy, not limp), yellowing, stunted growth, very heavy pot, moldy topsoil.

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes, especially for new growers. It suffocates roots by depriving them of oxygen, leading to root rot.

Symptoms:

  • Drooping Leaves (Heavy): Leaves hang down, but feel full and firm, not limp. They look "heavy" with water.
  • Yellowing Leaves: Often starts from the bottom and works its way up, similar to nitrogen deficiency.
  • Stunted Growth: Overall slow or halted development.
  • Algae/Mold on Medium Surface: Indicates consistently wet conditions.
  • Foul Odor: A sign of severe root rot (anaerobic conditions).

Causes:

  • Watering too frequently.
  • Poor drainage in the pot or medium.
  • Pot size too large for the plant.

Solution:

  • Stop Watering: Let the medium dry out significantly.
  • Improve Airflow: Ensure good air circulation around the pot and roots.
  • Check Drainage: Make sure drain holes aren't blocked.
  • Consider Repotting: If severe, into a fresh, drier medium.

The Danger of Root Rot

Overwatering is the primary cause of root rot, a fungal disease that can quickly kill your plant. Always err on the side of slightly underwatering rather than overwatering.

Signs of Underwatering: Thirsty Plants

Quick Overview:

How Much Time: Hours (can recover quickly if caught early).

First Thing to Do: Water thoroughly until runoff.

What to Watch For: Limp, wilting leaves (light and lifeless), crispy edges, very light pot.

Underwatering is less common in coco (which retains water well) but can occur if neglected. Plants will show clear signs of thirst.

Symptoms:

  • Limp, Wilting Leaves: Leaves hang down and feel light and lifeless, like a deflated balloon.
  • Crispy Leaf Edges: In severe cases, leaves may become brittle.
  • Light Pot: The pot will feel extremely light.
  • Stunted Growth: Lack of water prevents nutrient uptake and growth.

Causes:

  • Not watering enough or frequently enough for the plant's needs.
  • Rapid drying due to high temperatures, low humidity, or strong airflow.

Solution:

  • Water Thoroughly: Water slowly until you get at least 10-20% runoff from the bottom.
  • Adjust Frequency: Water more often if plants are drying out too quickly.

Quick Recovery

Plants often recover quickly from underwatering once rehydrated. Overwatering damage is much harder to reverse.

Mixing Nutrients: Step-by-Step Guide

Proper nutrient mixing ensures your plants get a balanced diet without issues like nutrient lockout or precipitation.

The Protocol:

  1. Start with Clean Water: Use reverse osmosis (RO) or filtered water if your tap water has high EC/PPM.
  2. Measure Water Volume: Accurately measure the total volume of water you'll be using (e.g., 1 gallon, 5 liters).
  3. Add CalMag (if using coco): If growing in coco coir, add your CalMag supplement first. Mix thoroughly.
  4. Add Base Nutrients (Part A then Part B): Follow your nutrient brand's instructions precisely. Typically, you add Part A, mix well, then add Part B, and mix well again. Never mix concentrated nutrients directly together.
  5. Add Boosters & Supplements: Introduce any bloom boosters, root stimulators, or other additives as per their instructions, mixing thoroughly after each.
  6. Measure & Adjust pH LAST: After all nutrients are mixed, use a calibrated pH meter to check the solution's pH. Adjust to the optimal range (5.8-6.2 for coco) using pH Up or pH Down.

Why Mixing Order Matters

Adding nutrients in the wrong order can cause them to react and precipitate out of solution, making them unavailable to your plants. Always follow manufacturer instructions!

Go to Nutrient Mixer

Measuring pH: Precision is Key

Accurate pH measurement is vital for nutrient uptake. Here's how to do it right:

Steps for pH Measurement:

  1. Calibrate Your Meter: Before each use (or at least weekly), calibrate your digital pH meter using standard pH 4.0 and pH 7.0 calibration solutions. This ensures accuracy.
  2. Take a Sample: Collect a sample of your mixed nutrient solution.
  3. Dip the Probe: Immerse the pH meter probe into the solution. Wait for the reading to stabilize.
  4. Adjust if Necessary: If the reading is outside the optimal range (5.8-6.2 for coco), add tiny amounts of pH Up or pH Down, mix well, and re-measure until the desired pH is reached.
  5. Check Runoff pH: Periodically, check the pH of the water that drains from the bottom of your pot after feeding. This gives insight into the root zone pH.

The Importance of Runoff pH

Monitoring runoff pH helps you understand what\'s happening in the root zone, which can sometimes differ from your input solution pH.

Learn More About pH