I start with a root stimulator as soon as they sprout for the first week at half strength every other watering and then start the fox farm grow big at about 1/8th strength and build up from there. I have noticed that I have really backed off of my cal mag in coco loco and the plants seem to do better. The ph is the thing that kicked my ass for the longest time. I have found articles that say to go with a higher ph like soil and I have read articles that say to drop it down like hydro. I have really had to experiment with my plants and it seems to me about 5.8 is where my sweet spot is with my set up. Hope this helps a little.