Coco coir is milled coconut husk and the Australian default. It holds water and air at once, drains fast and forgives mistakes. It also has 2 habits that catch new growers out.
Why buffered coco matters
Raw coco arrives with potassium and sodium stuck to it, and it would rather hold calcium and magnesium. Feed unbuffered coco and it pulls Ca and Mg out of your nutrient, so your plants show a calcium shortage in the first 2 weeks. Buffered coco like Canna Coco Professional has that done for you. Buying a brick like the Bio Diesel 70L? Rinse it until the run-off EC is under about 0.5, then soak it for 6 to 12 hours in 1 to 2mL/L of cal-mag at pH 5.8.
Feed every watering
Coco carries no food of its own, so every watering is a feed. Water little and often with some run-off, keep the pH at 5.8 to 6.2, and never let it dry out hard. Most coco growers here run Canna Coco A&B plus cal-mag. Our feeding guide has the numbers.
Straight coco, 70/30 or chips?
| Mix | Holds water | Air | Feed how often | On the shelf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight coco (coco peat) | High | Medium | Daily. Good if you are away a lot | Canna Coco Professional 50L, Professor's Coco Premium 50L |
| Coco perlite 70/30 | Medium | High | 1 to 3 times a day. Right for most growers | Hy-Gen Coirlite 70/30, Urban Jardin Coco Perlite 50L |
| Coco chips 50/50 | Low | Very high | 2 to 5 times a day. For automated watering | Nutrifield Coco Chips 50/50, Professor's Coco Chips 50/50 |
Mixing your own? Adding 20 to 30% perlite to straight coco is one of the cheapest upgrades in growing. It gives the roots more air. Coco pairs best with fabric pots and a pH and EC meter.
Coco coir questions
What is the difference between coco coir, coco peat and coco chips?
They are all coconut husk. Coco peat is the fine, straight milled coir that holds the most water. Coco chips are chunks that hold more air and drain fast. Most bags labelled 70/30 are coco mixed with 30% perlite.
Do I need to buffer coco coir?
If it is not sold as buffered, yes. Unbuffered coco takes calcium and magnesium out of your feed for the first couple of weeks. Soak it for 6 to 12 hours in 1 to 2mL/L of cal-mag at pH 5.8, then drain. Bricks also need a rinse first.
How often should I water plants in coco?
Little and often, with nutrients every time. Straight coco is usually once a day, 70/30 once to 3 times a day, and chips 2 to 5 times a day. Aim for some run-off each time and do not let the pot dry out hard.
What pH should coco be?
Feed coco at pH 5.8 to 6.2. A small drift up through the run is normal. Measure the run-off now and then, because that tells you what the root zone is really doing.
