Transitioning Marijuana Plants: Replacing Soil with Cocopeat

Transitioning Marijuana Plants: Replacing Soil with Cocopeat

Coco coir, a popular growing medium for cannabis, offers several benefits, including its renewable and cost-effective nature, resistance to pests and diseases, and excellent water retention, aeration, and drainage properties. However, to maximize growth speed, health, and yields, it's essential to follow best practices in preparation, transplanting, watering, and nutrient selection.

Preparation

Using buffered coco coir is crucial to avoid excess salts that may harm roots. Coco coir naturally has a balanced pH of about 5.5 to 6.8, which suits cannabis well. Mixing coco coir with perlite (30-50%) improves aeration and drainage, helping prevent root rot. Ensure the growing medium and containers are clean and sterilized to reduce the risk of pathogens.

Transplanting

Transplant seedlings into appropriately sized pots, avoiding pots too large for young plants to prevent overwatering and poor root development. Handle roots gently to minimize disturbance and reduce transplant shock. Water thoroughly after transplanting to settle coco around roots but avoid overwatering. Transplant plants ideally before flowering to reduce stress and yield loss. Allow plants to recover after transplanting by lowering light intensity and maintaining stable humidity and temperature. Use root stimulants with beneficial microbes (e.g., mycorrhizae) to promote faster root growth in coco.

Watering

Coco coir retains moisture efficiently (absorbing 8–10 times its weight in water) while allowing good oxygenation to roots, so water consistently but avoid waterlogging. Monitor moisture levels carefully; coco dries out faster than soil but holds water better than many substrates, requiring a tailored watering schedule. Frequent, smaller waterings with nutrient solution are preferred to maintain hydration and nutrient availability without saturation.

Nutrient Selection

Always supply nutrients with coco since coco coir is inert and contains no inherent nutrients. Use balanced, cannabis-specific nutrient formulas designed for coco, such as General Hydroponics Flora Trio, Dyna-Gro Grow + Bloom, or Fox Farm trio (hydro formula). Nutrient demands vary with growth stages; higher nitrogen during vegetative growth and increased phosphorus and potassium during flowering. Maintain pH around 5.5–6.5 in the nutrient solution for optimal nutrient uptake in coco coir. Employ beneficial microbes like mycorrhizal fungi to improve nutrient absorption and root health.

By combining these approaches—buffered coco coir mixed with perlite, careful gentle transplanting into right-sized pots, consistent but not excessive watering, and stage-appropriate fertilization with quality nutrient blends—growers can maximize cannabis growth speed, health, and yields using coco coir as the growing medium.

Monitoring and adjusting the care of cannabis plants in coco coir is crucial for their healthy growth and development. Regularly check the pH of runoff for upward or downward pH drifts. Coco coir specific nutrients typically come in Part A (phosphates and sulfates) and Part B (nitrates and calcium). Coco coir requires additional nutrients like calcium and magnesium.

Transplanting cannabis plants into coco coir requires watering the plant thoroughly and allowing it to adjust to its new environment. If using un-prebuffered coco coir, pre-charge it by soaking it in a nutrient solution before use. It's crucial not to mix coco coir nutrient parts in concentrated form.

Popular nutrient brands for coco coir include General Hydroponics' Flora trio plus Calimagic, Canna Coco A + B & Cal-Mag, and Fox Farms Nutrient Trio for Hydroponics & Cal-Mag. It is recommended to use nutrients specifically designed for coco coir or hydroponics, and always supplement with a "Cal-Mag" additive. Coco coir may need extra preparation, such as rehydrating coco coir bricks. Some nutrient products may include organic ingredients that can cause issues with irrigation systems.

[1] Barrett, P. M., & Moldenhauer, P. A. (2016). The Cultivator's Handbook: Growing Marijuana Indoors and Outdoors. Skyhorse Publishing.

[2] Green, J. (2014). Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible. Quick American Publishing.

[3] Schreiber, J. (2016). The Cannabis Encyclopedia: Dispensaries, Strains, Recipes, and the Science of Marijuana. Skyhorse Publishing.

[4] Schultes, R. E., & Morrison, A. (2013). The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing Indoor and Outdoor Marijuana. DK.

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