What can you add to coco coir?

You can also choose to mix coco coir with perlite and vermicompost for a good organic mixture. Vermicompost, or worm castings, adds beneficial nutrients and microorganisms while the perlite helps to dry out the coco coir, reducing the chance of root rot.

How do you add coco coir to soil?

Mix Coconut Coir and Soil Put the block or loose coir in a large tub or bucket and cover with water. Add more water as needed until it is soaked through. Drain the water and add compost or garden soil until you reach a 50/50 coco-soil mix.

What does coco do to soil?

Coco fiber is the brick type and mixed with soil to create air pockets that bring oxygen to plant roots. Coconut chips are also available and hold water while aerating soil. Using a combination of these, you can tailor make the type of medium that each variety of plant requires.

How do I add nutrients to coco coir?

Coco can hold onto masses of nutrient salts. Some of this will be unavailable to your plants. To make sure your plants get enough to feed on, you need to pre-soak your coco media before planting on. To pre-soak your coco media, apply a 3/4 to full strength feed until run off* appears.

Is growing in coco better than soil?

When compared with soil, coco tends to dry out a lot quicker, meaning your plants will need to be watered more frequently. Key benefits of opting for growing in coco include high yields and quick harvest, additional room for root development and pH neutral values.

Can I mix coco coir with compost?

Coco peat does not harbour any nutritional value of its own. Because of this, it’s a good idea to mix coco peat with an equal quantity of compost to plant vegetables in, in order to ensure the best possible growth. The most highly recommended nutrients for vegetable growing are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Does coconut coir mold?

The leading cause of a mold outbreak on your coco coir surface is a combination of added sugars and overwatering. Keep a careful watch on the surface of your coco coir, and if you see anything fuzzy and filamentous starting to grow, go easy on the water!

Does coconut coir decompose?

Coir decomposes slowly over time due to its composition of more than 45 percent woody lignin. Though the resiliency of coir is impressive, it varies depending on age and form, generally lasting to four years. Precomposted coconut can last four years without shrinkage or compaction.

Is Coco coir better than soil?

Unlike soil, coco coir is completely inert meaning you will need to provide your plants with all of the nutrients it needs to optimise healthy growth. When compared with soil, coco tends to dry out a lot quicker, meaning your plants will need to be watered more frequently.

Can you overwater in coco coir?

Coco is a sponge, and like a sponge, when squeezed water comes out, but not all the water. The sponge will remain damp and coco can still appear wet without having enough available water to give to the plant. Constantly watering coco results in over-watering.

Does coconut coir help drainage?

Drainage. Coir improves soil drainage in the bed while also helping to retain moisture in quick-draining soils. Since coir breaks down slowly, much like peat, it creates air pockets in the soil that allow excess moisture to drain away from plant roots.

Is coco coir well draining?

Quick harvests and big yields: When used for drain-to-waste growing, coco coir gives excellent results. Plenty of room for the root system: Coco coir offers a rare combination of excellent water retention, reliable drainage and ideal aeration.