Coco coir is available in several variations and mixes. Let’s sum them up for you to get some understanding about the choices you need to make. The first and most regular form of cocos consists of loose fibres. Then we have coco coir chips, ready-to-use coco slabs and coco coir bricks. The bricks are nothing more than compressed coco coir fibres. Coco coir is often mixed with other “ingredients” to tweak the properties a bit. The most common mixes are coco coir mixed with clay pebbles, perlite, cork or peat.
Loose coco coir fibres are the most common and most used form of coco coir by growers. It works perfectly as a standalone growing medium. Loose coco coir fibres are suitable for various hydroponic growing systems and growing in pots.
Loose coco coir fibres are easy and ready to use. Just open the bag and fill your pot(s). Loose fibres have a great drainage and water retention. Loose fibres are very fluffy, so your plant’s roots have lots of oxygen to develop strong plants. Because of the airy structure it has a great balance between drainage and water retention, which makes it hard to overwater, Looking for more drainage? Then you better choose for a specific coco coir mix which we discuss further on.
Our loose coco coir fibre product is the Cocos Premium.
Coco coir chips are larger, chunkier pieces of coco coir that offer excellent aeration and drainage. Aeration refers to the process of allowing air to circulate through the growing medium. Good aeration in your growing medium helps roots to breathe, which is essential for healthy plant growth. Aeration not only provides oxygen to the roots but also helps in preventing problems like root rot, which can occur in overly wet and poorly aerated conditions. Good drainage means water doesn't stay stagnant in the medium but moves through it and out, preventing issues like waterlogging. Good drainage is important for plants that don't like to be in overly wet conditions.
Coco coir chips are an ideal addition to potting mixes or as a standalone growing medium. Coco coir chips can be used for improving the soil structure in raised beds and growing in pots.
Coco coir chips provide better aeration and drainage than other forms of coco coir, making them an excellent choice for plants that require these specific conditions. They also help prevent soil compaction and improve root growth. However, coco coir chips may not retain water as effectively as finer coco coir products. Their larger size may make them less suitable for small-scale gardening or hydroponic systems. Also important to consider, coco coir chips still contain harmful salts like natrium and chloride that can have destructive effects on the plant's growth and yield. The coir chips need buffering and nutrient supplementation to ensure optimal plant health. For these reasons we do not have them in our assortment.
Coco coir brix, also known as coco coir blocks, are compressed bricks of loose fibres coco coir. They need to be hydrated before you can use them. After hydrating the coco coir brix turns into loose coco coir fibres. Coco coir brix is ideal for growers with limited storage space or those who prefer a more portable option.
Coco coir brix is lightweighted, easy to store and easier to transport. However, the hydration process can be time-consuming. There’s also a risk of over- or under-hydrating the bricks, which can affect the growing medium's consistency. Additionally, breaking apart the hydrated bricks in loose coco coir fibres may take some effort. You should be cautious not to damage the fibres during the process.
Our coco coir brix product is the Cocos Brix.
Coco coir slabs are pre-formed slabs of loose coco coir fibres. These slabs are designed for large-scale hydroponic or commercial growers, as they can easily support multiple plants in a compact ready-to-use slab.
Coco coir slabs are convenient for managing large-scale operations and provide a consistent growing environment for plants. However, they can be more expensive than other coco coir forms and are less suitable for small-scale or home growers.
Our coco coir slabs product is the Cocos Slab.
The primary differences between these coco coir products lie in their structure, ease of use, and application. Loose coco coir fibres are the most common because they are ready to use. Coco coir brix is compact and portable but requires rehydration and breaking apart. Lastly, coco coir slabs are ideal for large-scale operations but may not be suitable for small-scale or home growers.
Coco coir fibres are sometimes mixed with other “ingredients” like perlite, clay pebbles, cork or peat. However coco coir fibres have great drainage on its own and are suitable for all kinds of irrigation systems, the different mixes all have their own specific characteristics. The different additions results in general in higher drainage levels and lower water retention levels. Why would you want this? Higher drainage levels mean you have to feed more often, which results in higher yields. This method of growing, however, is not without risks. The substrate can dry out faster, meaning a mistake could have fatal consequences.
We’ll start with the mixes available in our assortment.
Coco coir with clay pebbles is a combination of coco coir fibres and clay pebbles. Clay pebbles are added to the coco coir medium to increase drainage and aeration. A well-balanced substrate that retains enough water and nutrients while allowing sufficient oxygenation of the roots is the result. This mix offers the highest drainage levels in comparison to all other coco coir options. This also means growing with it carries the most risks. On the other hand, this form of coco coir does have the best potential for high yields.
Coco coir with clay pebbles is suitable for drip irrigation systems as a drip irrigation system delivers nutrient water from the top, which then trickles down to the bottom of your pots.
We do not recommend using coco coir with clay pebbles in ebb and flow systems. In an ebb and flow system the nutrient water comes from below/the bottom of your pot/container. Through the added clay pebbles, the coco coir mix has a reduced water retention, also known as the capillary effect. The coco coir mix with clay pebbles is not able to absorb nutrient water good enough to provide sufficiently in the upper section of your pots/containers.
Coco coir with clay pebbles is also less suitable if you water your plants by hand. However, you feed your plants from above, the high drainage level causes them to dry out quickly. This means you have to hand water your plant often, multiple times a day. Therefore, we do not recommend coco coir with clay pebbles if you hand water your plants.
Our coco coir with clay pebbles product is the Plagron Hydro Cocos 60/40.
Coco coir mixed with perlite is a type of growing medium used in hydroponics. Perlite, a volcanic rock, is added to coco coir to help with drainage and air flow. This mix doesn't drain as well as coco coir with clay pebbles, but it's better at holding moisture and providing enough air for the roots. It works well for systems like drip irrigation and flood and drain.
Our coco coir mix with perlite is great at soaking up nutrient water, a lot better than the mix with clay pebbles. This is because it has more coco coir fibres. This mix is also less likely to dry out too fast, reducing the chances of mistakes.
However, growing with coco coir and perlite is a bit riskier than using just coco coir fibres, which dry out the slowest. The mix's drainage level, which is in between just coco coir fibres and the mix with clay pebbles, affects how quickly it dries out.
Our coco coir with perlite product is the Plagron Coco Perlite 70/30.
The addition of cork, a renewable and biodegradable material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, enhances this medium's aeration and drainage capabilities. The combination results in a substrate that is both moisture-retentive and well-drained, providing an ideal environment for root growth. Cork's natural resistance to pests and fungal growth further contributes to the health of the plants. This blend is particularly beneficial for plants that require a balance of moisture and oxygen at their roots, making it suitable for a wide range of gardening applications. Moreover, the use of cork in the mix adds to the sustainability aspect, as both coco coir and cork are eco-friendly and renewable resources.
A disadvantage is that cork can break down overtime, altering the structure of the coco coir medium leading to other drainage and aeration levels. The reason we do not have a coco coir with cork mix in our assortment, is that we aim for only high-quality products. Because cork breaks down overtime, we could never guarantee a stable and consistent product. For that reason, it doesn’t fit in our brand values, and we prefer adding perlite.
As the name implies, coco coir mixed with peat is when you combine coconut coir fibres with peat. Mixing peat with coir makes it hold onto water better. When it can hold water for longer, it means the growing medium doesn't dry out quickly, and it keeps water and nutrients around for a longer time.
Now, you know by now coco coir is special because it naturally strikes a good balance between letting water drain away and holding onto it. So, why mess with a good thing? Some growers might want more drainage (which can lead to bigger yields), but our high-quality coco coir already does a great job at keeping water. That's why we don't offer coco coir with peat in our range. We believe one of the best things about coco coir is that it's nutrient-free. You have full control over adding nutrients to help your plants reach their full potential. Plus, our coco coir is top-notch, with added calcium and magnesium to get your plants off to a fantastic start.
Let's get straight to the main point: If you're serious about growing plants, it's a no-brainer to choose coco coir that hasn't been steamed.
The process of turning coconut husks into usable coco coir for growing is quite involved, and the choices made during this process affect the quality of the coco coir. It determines how well your plants will grow and the amount of yield you'll get.
Our advice is to go for the highest-quality coco coir you can find. This ensures your plants reach their full potential, and you'll have a product that's free from harmful salts and won't cause nutrient imbalances or salt buildup. Check the EC value on the bag, or better yet, measure it yourself (it's easy, as shown in the video).
Coco coir on its own is excellent for growing because it strikes a good balance between holding water, allowing air and draining. Some coco coir mixes on the market include things like clay pebbles or perlite, which increase drainage. This can make the growing medium dry out faster, allowing you to provide more nutrient water for better plant growth and yield. However, it also comes with more risks for mistakes in watering, so you need to decide how much risk you're willing to take for a bit more yield. Also, keep in mind that not all coco coir mixes work well with every type of irrigation system. We don't recommend using coco coir with clay pebbles in an ebb and flood system.
If you still have questions about coco coir, feel free to reach out to our Servicedesk or Instagram. We're here to help!