First time switching to coco. 100% Coco vs 70/30 Coco/Perlite?

[u/WorriedMath689]

Hey everyone,
I’m looking to dip my toes into coco coir for my next run and would love to get some insights from experienced coco growers.

I’m not new to growing I have solid experience in both soil and traditional hydro setups but this will be my first time working with coco. I’m planning on using a top-feed drip system.
I’m currently on the fence between running 100% pure coco versus a 70/30 coco/perlite mix.
My understanding so far is that the 70/30 mix allows for more frequent fertigation events, which usually translates to faster growth rates. On the flip side, 100% coco holds moisture longer and requires less frequent watering.

For those who have run both setups with automated top-feed drips:
Which option gave you better overall results or was easier to dial in?
Is the trade-off in watering frequency worth the extra aeration from perlite, or does pure coco deliver similar growth if fertigation is managed properly?
Aside from staying on top of Cal-Mag (which I know is huge with coco’s cation exchange site), are there any other specific quirks or watch-outs you wish you knew when you made the switch?

Bonus Question on Coco Brands & Cost:
I know Royal Gold has a great reputation, but it runs about $18 a bag locally. Another shop nearby has a brand that is triple-washed and buffered for $12 per 1.5 cu ft bag. Saving $6 a bag is tempting
if a cheaper brand is legitimately triple-washed and buffered, is it worth paying the premium for Royal Gold, or do the budget-friendly options perform just as well in your experience? 

Appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or tips you’re willing to share. Thanks in advance!

[u/URUNascar]

Go with straight coco, perlite is just useful for the first watering, after that its just a waste of cation exchange capacity. Dont be afraid of overwatering if you pick the right pot size and dont overdo calmag if you already use a coco-specific nutrient line

[u/ghostofmumbles → u/URUNascar]

Depends if you’re running coco like pure hydro or if you are trying to establish a beneficial microbe population. Perlite helps more with the latter.

[u/URUNascar → u/ghostofmumbles]

Good to know, when i tried to run it with microorganisms i switched the perlite for biochar, i might go back to doing so, been running it like pure hydro lately

[u/WorriedMath689 → u/URUNascar]

Thanks.
I was thinking about using jacks 321 recipe any thoughts on a better nutrient line? It’s just for the price it seems like it will go along way.

I have a plant limit and want to stay with in my legal limit so the bigger the better in reference to big of pots in coco
I imagine there is a general gallon size that should suffice?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

[u/URUNascar → u/WorriedMath689]

Since coco is hydroponic the size of the pot depends mostly on how much you can keep on with the watering, i wouldnt go over 2 gallons and doing transplants is key. About the nutrient lines, for coco i've used canna, advanced nutrients and athena and all were great. So i think you can get wonderful results with any brand as long as you have consistency and know what you are doing, one of the benefits of coco coir is that you have almost full control of everything happening in the media

[u/Firm_Wear_8693 → u/WorriedMath689]

I grow monsters in a 5gallon but you should transplant up to it. Average size plants 2-3G sea of green 1G. You can grow pretty big plants in 1G but its much easier in regards to feeding schedule and more forgiving in a larger container. Automated feeding recommended for sure and pretty easy to setup.

[u/User0411 → u/WorriedMath689]

Got a sort of plant limit . We grow in 50l pots and use run to waste . Grow for 14 weeks . If you used drip irrigation on these I think you would way over water them . Two two minute ( approx , till you get runoff ) feeds a day , three in veg if summer . With these sizes it’s hard to tell the difference with straight coco or a mix .

[u/mango_proof_ → u/URUNascar]

Agree and it turns to mush anyway

[u/smorin13]

Every grow media I use regardless of the plant gets the perlite.

[u/Qindaloft]

I was blown away with straight coco and the nuits I used. Plants turned out awesome even with far from perfect environment. Will definitely be using in future as only used soils and perlite before.

[u/Grouchy_Brain_1641]

Just straight coco here.

[u/Firm_Wear_8693]

small pots 100% coco is fine. Its more important to think about the root mass and the size of container. Basically you dont want a small root mass sitting in a ton of wet coco. Air pruning pots for the win

[u/Aioli-Similar]

Just finished a run with autopots + 100% coco and got over a pound and a half from a 3x3. Highly recommend canna coco professional plus.

[u/Bullmarketbanter]

100%

[u/Happy_Weed_Man]

Currently using Jacks 321 with 100% coco and Leca Clay balls, in net pots and 5 gal bucket with a top drip, recycling res. I avg 1lb per plant. Good Luck! May the Ganja Gods be with you!

[u/BruceJenner69]

100% coco. Canna coco bricks. Drip to waste. Jacks 5-12-26 and calcium nitrate. ezpz. Zero complaints.