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notagoodusername
Myco Langelo


Registered: 10/28/06
Posts: 142
Last seen: 2 years, 2 months
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Field capacity help
#6477793 - 01/19/07 07:02 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Did a few searches and still not crystal clear. When preparing bulk substrate, you want it at field capacity but there are widely different opinions on what this means. Bear with me, just venturing into bulk. "saturated with water and after free drainage is negligible" is still hard to interpret. Are we talking soak, then drain until no drips? That seems a little wet. No drips when squeezed? Some people squeeze harder that others. Coir especially is like a sponge, so I can't imagine it's okay just to have it not dripping in a strainer. To me, it seems hpoo colonized faster when it was on the dry side - maybe one or two drips in a handfull squeezed pretty hard. Is there a simple rule that works for you guys with little interpretation and room for error? Something like the toilet paper test RR suggests for rye surface dryness?
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notagoodusername
Myco Langelo


Registered: 10/28/06
Posts: 142
Last seen: 2 years, 2 months
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is 75% the correct moisture content for all bulk substrates because at least that can be calculated and used for learning.
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Sillicybin
Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 2,134
Loc:
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With coir, the way I do it is it should drip a few drops when I squeeze it firmly.
There really isn't a way to come up with an actual recipe. Even sticking with coir, different types (brands) of coir can behave differently when it comes to saturation.
Yes, a drier substrate will colonize faster (to a point), but you have to balance colonization speed with water in your substrate for fruiting. Casing helps with this, but having water in the sub itself is important as well.
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agar
old hand


Registered: 11/21/04
Posts: 9,056
Loc: Somewhere Else
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 A moisture meter helps. (Kelway HB-2 pictured) 65/72% capacity is about right.
"field capacity" is a misnomer. It means fully saturated.
You do not want coir / h/poo / compost - or combinations. To be at "field capacity", at spawning.
That would to wet.
It's a learning thing. I don't even need the meter. I can pick up a handful & give it a gentle, but firm squeeze. If it doesn't drip when I pick it up. And, only drips a few drops, when squeezed. It's in the ball park. If water gushes out, it's to wet.
You can also use a clear plastic bag, to test moisture levels. Place what you think is good. In a bag. Set the bag upright. And, see if moisture pools in the bottom. If so, it's to wet.
Simply, squeeze the content in the bag & drain out fluid. When, you cannot squeeze out, much more than a slight dribble. It is in the ball park.
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strangladesh
masterOFpuppets


Registered: 10/17/05
Posts: 815
Loc: Right Here!
Last seen: 16 years, 1 month
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Re: Field capacity help [Re: agar]
#6477924 - 01/19/07 07:47 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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My opinion is its better to dry then 2 wet...
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agar
old hand


Registered: 11/21/04
Posts: 9,056
Loc: Somewhere Else
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Quote:
strangladesh said: My opinion is its better to dry then 2 wet...
Excess moisture is one of the primary cause's of failure.
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tonyperez420
Shaman Rasta

Registered: 11/03/04
Posts: 1,234
Last seen: 11 years, 5 days
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Re: Field capacity help [Re: agar]
#6478313 - 01/19/07 09:21 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
agar said:
It's a learning thing. I don't even need the meter. I can pick up a handful & give it a gentle, but firm squeeze. If it doesn't drip when I pick it up. And, only drips a few drops, when squeezed. It's in the ball park. If water gushes out, it's to wet.
thats the best advice your going to get the rest takes practice and experience
I got a kelway hb-2 save your money and just follow the above advice!
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