Looking for taste and yield? There’s no need to compromise any more, growing in coco can give you the best of both worlds. Read our Learn article on growing in coir/coco and get clued up on this great growing medium
Over the years using coco/coir in pots as a hydroponic media has become an increasingly popular way to grow plants. There are 3 main reasons for this occurrence:
1. Eco-friendly – It is natural, environmentally and ecologically friendly, and made from renewable sources of coconut fibre. This alone should be a good enough reason to consider growing in coco!
2. Quality – The quality of plants grown in coco is often exceptional and more than a match for all competing mediums. With good formation, colour, look and taste, we’re not surprised that so many people are giving it a go!
3. Quantity – The yield and weight of crops grown in coco compares favourably against results that can be achieved using other hydroponic mediums such as rockwool – so there’s no need to compromise on quality or yield!
What is coco and why is it so good?
All types of coco are different forms of media derived from the same raw component – coconut fibre. Traditionally most coco fibre is produced in Sri Lanka or thereabouts, with the most popular commercially available growing medium being Coco Professional Plus. However, the arrival of Plagron Coco presents you with a fantastic premium quality option that has already converted many of the most ardent growers in little to no time at all!
Coco possesses all of the qualities of a great growing medium, having very good air content, drainage and structure – by this we mean that it doesn’t compact, lose ability to drain (or air content) or restrict root growth and diversification. This adds up to make coco an ideal medium for growing plants in pots since there’s no need for any perlite or pebbles – you just use it as supplied for rooting cuttings or growing plants from start to finish! A lack of nutrient content in coco also gives you complete control of plant feeds too – particularly favoured by experienced and experimental growers who strive to achieve the very best results.
OK, I’m convinced… What are my options?
Plagron Coco
As one of the most highly refined coco mediums out there, Plagron Coco offers a firm yet light and unrestrictive environment that roots positively thrive inside. Rich in naturally occurring trichoderma, this hugely effective growing medium helps to keep your plants healthy and protected from disease whilst supporting and encouraging rapid development. For maximum success, we recommend using the stellar Plagron Coco with Plagron Coco feed or Vita Link Coir Nutrients.
Coco Professional Plus
Coco Professional Plus has been a favourite coco medium for a long time now. There’s no need to mix the coco flakes with anything else when using it in pots, just moisten with some half strength Coco Professional Nutrient (this will read cF 10 – 15, dependent on your tap water start cF. Use 2ml of A and 2ml of B per Litre of water) and pot your plants up with the mix – simple as that! Continue to use half strength feed at every watering until the plants get much bigger, 60cm (2′) or more.
Plagron Coco and Coco Professional Plus Slabs
Plagron Coco 1m Slabs and Coco Professional Plus 1m Slabs are also available, containing the same coco flakes as the bagged growing medium. The slabs ideally need loosening up before wetting and using by rolling them on their side or firmly pressing the sides. They should then be lightly moistened with a half strength (cF 10 – 15) Coco Professional feed or Plagron Coco feed before use. Place Cubes on or in the slab and use with drip lines. Start plants on a nutrient strength of approx cF 10 – 15 dependent on your tap water start cF. Aim for about a 10% to 20% run off of solution out of the slab at each dosing cycle. Make sure the slabs can drain freely. When the plants get big, two foot or more, you can gradually increase the feed strength over a few weeks, up to a maximum of cF 18 – 24.
All coco media have also been impregnated with a beneficial mould Trichoderma that not only acts as a good root stimulant but also prevents pathogens and other harmful bacteria from entering the root zone.
Recommended feeds – Vita Link Coir Nutrients, Plagron Coco feed and Coco Professional A&B
Recommended additives – Rhizotonic and Cannazym
Thanks to the properties of coco as a growing medium, many popular hydroponic nutrients, boosters and additives can also be used with it whilst not threatening to reduce effectiveness in any way!
3 Comments
Would you recommend the use of coco for Fruiting trees grown in pots and is there a compost compatible with coco? Thank you.
There is the potential for nitrogen lock out in coco for plants with a longer flowering cycle. Also to get the best from the coco you would need to use a coco specific feed. Some people do use a coco/soil blend, which helps increase the aeration capability of the soil.
Thank you.