Cultivation - coca growing basics and focus on soil

[Benga]

hello all
so the birdy's been reading up these days, both here and elsewhere, on coca cultivation ( E. Coca and novo)
many interesting contributions and ideas.
Once "ideal" growing conditions have been obtained
ideal 27° celsius, little temperature changes
50% to 80%,humidity
sufficient light ( basic 6500K spectrum, 10 000 lux / lum : cool white fluorescent tubes, MG /envirolites, mercury iodine, metal halide, hp sodium sunlight of course are reported to work) up to 18 /24 hours a day

the most sensitive critical part seems to be the soil.

there are quite a few ideas and theories, as well as some practical solutions.
birdy would like to sum up what's been suggested, and invite people to contribute with experience based material.

Basic soil characteristics :

well drained------
most coca strain like water but does not like to be in a humid soil.
avoid over watering, water when the soil is dry, a few centimeters in.
water with rain / snow water or bottled mineral water (avoid tap water, which is usually slightly alkaline)
spray leaves with distilled / demineralized water

Acidic--------------
consensus has not been reached on actual ideal acidity, but coca strains need a slightly acidic soil. some recommendations are between a pH of 4.5 to 5.5- 6 being a basic / alkaline maximum.
Avoid lime and vermiculite

here are some soil composition suggestions :

slightly acidic iron clay based soils
japanese bonsai soils ( in small granulations) :
akadama (clay)
kiryu (river soil)
kanuma ( low pH clay)

loam
silt
peat
terre de bruyère
humus
standard potting mix
bonsai potting mix
cactus poting mix
organic compost
composted wood bits
coco coir

some organic matter :

perlite
pozzolana
red volcanic rock
gravel / coarse river sand


some suggested soil mixes :

10% silt
20% humus/loam ("used up" compost, full of humates and fulvates)
20% fresh compost
25% iron clay based soil (like from most yards or pine forests)
25% composted wood bits or sand/grit

0.25 coarse clean sand
0.25 perlite
0.25 sterilized loam
0.25 milled peat.
If this seems too light, increase loam and peat.

1 part coco coir
all in small granulations.
1 part red akadama(clay available at bonsai supply)
1 part kiriu (river soil from bonsai supply)
1 part kanuma(low ph clay),

40% rich potting compost
40% peat substitute (a slightly acid, lime-free compost)
20% perlite


-----------------

some suggested nutrients / fertilizers :

bat guano
worm casings
sterilized organic compost

-------------------

summary of possible soil components with potential substitues :

coco coir / composted wood grits
perlite
coarse river sand / gravel
pozzolane / red volcanic rock / pumice / kiryu
red akadama / iron acidic clay based soil
kiryu / silt / loam
kanuma / clay
standard poting soil
milled peat / peat substitute / terre de bruyere
fresh sterilized compost / humus


input and observations welcome !

b

Reputation Comments on this post:

	very useful, interesting info
	thx for condensing this ethnobot knowledge in one post