Coco is an inert growing medium that contains no nutrients and is sourced from the hairs of coconut husks. After being washed and treated with salts, coco is a universal growing substrate that has excellent water retention and drainage, making coco coir one of the best products for plant growth. In this article, we explain all you need to know about growing plants with coco, how to feed it, its application in hydroponics, and much more.
The Differences Between Soil and Coco as a Growing Medium
Soil is made up of organic material and minerals that decompose slowly and release primary, secondary, and trace elements back to the roots. Growing plants in soil is very straightforward, and in many cases, using only plain water will do the trick just fine. As the soil is rich in nutrition and beneficial microorganisms, as long as it is consistently watered, there is no need to add nutrients to the soil.
Coco coir, on the other hand, is literally made up of the brown hair on coconuts. The hair from the coconut husk is then treated to wash away any salts and contains no nutrients. This is one of the main reasons coco coir is used in hydroponics as well as mixed with soil to enhance aeration and wicking ability. This means that to feed plants growing in a coco base, you will need to use hydroponic nutrients.
The benefits of growing plants using coco coir include:
- Roots thrive in coco thanks to the high amount of oxygen present
- Coco coir can be used in hydroponics as it contains no nutrients.
- Adding coco to soil can significantly improve drainage and retention.
- Coco is easy to use and a good starting point for someone new to growing.
- Plants can become large and grow quickly during the growth period.
- Coco coir can be reused as long as the media is flushed with enzymes.
What Nutrients Will I Need When Watering a Plant in Coco?
Similar to rock wool, coco coir is classified as an inert growing medium, so the nutrients must be added to the water. Usually, nutrients for growing plants in coco will come in a 3-part solution that provides all the relevant micro and macronutrients.
Root Nutrient
When seedlings have sprouted, it is important to provide plenty of food for the roots. It is during this pinnacle stage that your plants will be forming and developing new cells, and establishing a strong root base is key.
Growth Nutrient
Designed for the growth period when plants are producing only branches, leaves, and foliage. A growth nutrient for coco will contain N-P-K and is meant to be used during the growing phase and even while flowering.
Flowering Nutrient
One of the most rewarding things about growing fruits and vegetables in coco coir is the high yields associated with it. Using a flowering nutrient designed for fruit and flower production, plants are able to produce large fruits and vegetables. Flowering nutrients will be high in P-K and act as boosters once plants begin flowering.
Calcium and Magnesium
Calcium and magnesium are classified as secondary nutrients after nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is very important to supply the right levels of calcium and magnesium to coco to maintain a healthy balance of plant nutrition.
Enzymes
Adding enzymes to your nutrient solution has many benefits, from breaking down nutrients even quicker to washing undissolved salts off the medium. Enzymes are particularly important during the final weeks prior to harvesting your crop to help enhance the final taste, color, aroma, and appearance.
Will I Need to Adjust the pH of the Water and Nutrient Solution to Feed Plants in Coco?
The short answer is yes; however, this is something that is easy to do. The reason why it is important to adjust the pH of your water or nutrient solution is due to the fact that plants absorb nutrients at a specific range of pH. The optimum pH range when growing in coco is 5.5 - 6.5.
The easiest way to check the pH of your water source/nutrient solution is to use a digital pH pen. Once you have a digital reading, you can add pH up or down, which is a product designed to adjust pH levels. Once you have added your nutrients, you will be able to check the strength of the solution using an E.C. pen. You could also use washed and buffered coco coir with no fertilizers that have very low EC.
Using Coco in Hydroponic Systems
Coco coir is a popular choice among growers who like to grow vegetables using hydroponic methods. One of the best properties that coco has is the fact that it is able to hold onto a large volume of water without losing oxygen. This makes coco an easy-to-work-with growing medium, allowing a grower to decide exactly how much nutrient solution the crop will receive.
Irrigation Dripper Systems
The most common and easiest way to use coco, and often replicated on a large scale when growing commercial-scale vegetables. Using a water pump, stake, drip lines, and coco as a growing medium, producing large-scale plants during the growth stage is easily done, allowing gardeners to enjoy much larger fruits and vegetables in comparison to a soil-grown crop of peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries.
Flood and Drain Systems
Basically, it's a way to bottom-feed your houseplants without needing to hand-water them. Using a pump and flood table, the nutrient solution is pumped from the reservoir and onto a table, where the bases of the pots absorb the water. Due to the superb wicking ability of coco, it is possible to feed plants grown in this method multiple times a day during flower and fruit production.
What Atami Products Should I Use to Grow the Best-Quality Crop in Coco?
B'Cuzz Root Stimulator, B'Cuzz Coco A+B, B'Cuzz Coco Uni Booster, B'Cuzz Coco Bloom Stimulator, ATA Atazyme, and ATA CalMag are all the nutrients you will need as a first-time grower. To make sure that you are following our guide correctly, please follow our coco feeding guide.
Our Top Tips for Growing Plants with Coco
Top tip #1 - Coco is able to hold a lot of water, so it does not need to be watered as frequently as soil. Our top tip here is to use coco coir outdoors on plants that suffer from dry periods. The coco will help allow the plants to hold more moisture at the soil level as well as insulate the roots during cold nights.
Top tip #2 - If you are growing with soil, but notice the pots are too heavy once watered, and the drainage is not the best, then why not try adding coco to the soil next time you make a custom soil blend? Adding coco will give the soil a sponge-like consistency and increase the amount of air pockets present around the roots.
Top tip #3 - If you like the idea of recycling your coco coir growing medium, then this is easy to do and only needs a thorough washing with enzymes. Once the coco fibers are free of any salts, there is no reason why you cannot plant new seeds or cuttings inside the same coco.
Atami's Conclusion
Growing plants using a coco coir medium is very easy, ideal for anyone new to the gardening world, and can be used with soil or hydroponic systems. When combined with high-quality nutrients, it is possible to take your production levels even higher with coco. We recommended trying working with coco and seeing just how beneficial it is, from adding air pockets and enhancing the water retention and drainage of soil to the low maintenance and stress-free side associated with it. Feel free to visit https://growlikeapro.atami.com/ for more information about growing plants with coco.
