Bed a Beast puck and bagged coir

[PsyBearknot]

Was wandering around a pet store looking for some supplies.
Found this little thing.
Aint it cute. Its a compressed puck of Bed a Beast that when you add 1 quart of hot water, expands to 2 quarts of bedding. I have never been one who could guestimate quantities and usually have way more or way less then I need. I like there are guidelines on it saying add this much and should get this much.
Great for small projects one would think. I assume the bricks of coir are cheeper in the long run but I can never just get a small amount out of the block with out a lot of trouble. I have tried chipping it and using a saw but it just makes a horrible mess.
In another find at a different pet store I found a bag of loose coir. Eco Earth. Gotta love the simplicity of opening your bag and dumping some in with out all of the hassle of the brick.

[eatyualive]

yeah thats coir. get the bricks though. 3 for 12 bucks. or you can find deals on mass quantity online sometimes. you will just have to expand it. it will be a pia. but you can chip it off by hand or using some pliars. still difficult. id expand the whole thing then lay it out on a tarp to dry in front of a fan.

[PsyBearknot]

I knew it was coir, It was only like a 1.50 for the puck. The loose bagged I found was only like 3.50 if I remember right. Ill pay for that convience. the chipping and breaking is a MAJOR PITA for me.

Originally Posted by eatyualive

id expand the whole thing then lay it out on a tarp to dry in front of a fan.

Great Idea Ill try that.

PBK

[hyphaenation]

Some coir is treated , even with trich. Not sure what brands.

Here's one that does for sure:

http://www.empireorganics.com/product_info.html

# 100% Certified Organically processed coconut substrates.
# OMRi LIsted
# Super washed with freshwater to remove Sodium (EC), tannin, phenolic, chloride, etc.
# Complete freshwater processing
# Composted for a minimum of 2 years
# No steaming or harsh chemical washes to ensure a healthy microbial population.
# Naturally contains Trichoderma- a natural rooting/ growth agent.
# High lignin/ cellulose content
# Ideal environment for microbial life to flourish
# Disease Suppression Significant reduction in root diseases. (Recent studies strongly suggest coir inhibits Pythium and Phytothora growth.)
# Faster growth with more abundant fruit/bloom setting
# Easy to dispose/ recycle compared to rockwool or expanded clay.
# Plants root faster compared to other medium, great for seeds and cuttings.
# Preferable natural PH compared to peat moss: (Coir: 5.7-6.2) (Peat: 2.3-3.3)
# Weed and pathogen free
# Mold and fungal resistant

and:

Nutrifield NF Premium Coco is a clean product that is free from harmful parasites and diseases. It contains the naturally occurring beneficial micro organisms Trichoderma. Trichoderma is a predatory micro organism that will devour detrimental fungi and pathogens. Only premium grades Coco Coir contains Trichoderma and therefore there is no need for neem.

http://www.smartgarden.com.au/produc...ums/coco-bags/

and a local thread:

http://forums.mycotopia.net/coir-pea...ichoderma.html (coir and trichoderma)

Seems from reading that "Bed a beast" should be okay.