Hydro-Organics - The Coco Alternative |
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| 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. |
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Hydro-Organics - The Coco Alternative
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 Canna Coco. However, the arrival of Galuku 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?
Galuku Coco
As one of the most highly refined coco mediums out there, Galuku 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. Galuku is a hugely effective coco that you will only find available at GroWell and for maximum success should be used with Vita Link Coir Nutrients.
Canna Coco
Available in slabs and 50 Litre bags, Canna Coco 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 Canna Coco Feed (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.
Canna Coco Slabs
1m Coco slabs are also available and contain 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) Canna 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 Canna Coco products 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 and Canna Coco 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!
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