Coco Coir Magic

If you're looking for a sustainable, versatile growing medium that can supercharge your gardening game, then look no further than coco coir! This Unlikely Gardener guide will walk you through everything you need to know about preparing and using coco coir for both outdoor gardens and grow mixes for indoor plants. Get ready to unlock the potential of this eco-friendly powerhouse!

What is Coco Coir and Why Should You Care?

Coco coir, sometimes called coconut coir or simply coir, is a natural fibre derived from coconut husks. It's the layer found between the outer shell and the inner nut of a coconut, and it's gaining a lot of attention in the gardening world. Why you might ask?

• Eco-friendly: Coco coir is a renewable resource and a great way to repurpose coconut industry byproducts.
• Water retention: It can hold up to 9 to 10 times its weight in water, making it excellent for moisture control.
• Aeration: Coco coir provides great air circulation for plant roots, promoting healthy growth.
• pH neutral: With a pH level of about 6.0, it's suitable for a wide range of plants.
• Pest resistant: Unlike some other growing media, coco coir naturally resists pests and fungi.

Preparing Coco Coir: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Choose Your Coco Coir Form

Coco coir comes in various forms:

• Bricks: Compressed blocks that expand when soaked
• Chips: Larger pieces for improved drainage
• Pith: Fine-textured for water retention
• Fibre: Long strands for aeration

For most applications, a mix of pith and fibre works well. You can also buy pre-mixed blends.

Step 2: Hydration and Expansion

1. Place your coco coir in a large container.
2. Add warm water (about 30°C or 85°F) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Generally, use 5-6 litres of water per 650g brick.
3. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes, allowing the coir to absorb the water and expand.
4. Break up any clumps with your hands or a garden fork.

Step 3: Rinse and Drain

1. Rinse the expanded coir with fresh water a few times to remove any excess salts.
2. Squeeze out excess water. The coir should be moist but not waterlogged.

Step 4: pH and EC Testing

1. Test the pH level using a pH meter or test strips. Aim for a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
2. Check the electrical conductivity (EC) to ensure salt levels are appropriate.

If adjustments are needed, flush with pH-balanced water or add dolomite lime to raise pH.

Step 5: Buffering (Optional but Recommended)

Buffering coco coir is a crucial step that many unlikely gardeners overlook, but it can make a significant difference in plant health and growth. The process involves pre-treating the coir with calcium and magnesium solutions to saturate the coir's exchange sites. This is important because raw coco coir has a high cation exchange capacity and tends to hold onto positively charged ions, particularly potassium. Without buffering, the coir can strip essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium from the nutrient solution, making them unavailable to plants. This can lead to deficiencies, even when you're providing adequate fertilization. Buffering helps stabilize the growing medium, ensuring a more balanced nutrient availability and preventing issues like blossom end rot in fruiting plants or stunted growth in leafy greens. It's a small investment of time that can significantly improve your plants' health and productivity.

How to buffer your coco coir:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of calcium nitrate and 1 tablespoon of magnesium sulfate per gallon of water.
2. Soak the coir in this solution for 8-12 hours.
3. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water.

Using Coco Coir in Your Garden

Now that your coco coir is prepped and ready, let's explore how to use it effectively in your outdoor garden:

As a Soil Amendment

Mix coco coir into your existing garden soil to improve:

• Water retention in sandy soils
• Drainage in clay soils
• Overall soil structure and aeration

Recommended ratio: 30% coco coir to 70% garden soil

In Raised Beds

Create a nutrient-rich growing medium by mixing:

• 50% coco coir
• 30% compost
• 20% perlite or vermiculite

This blend provides excellent drainage, water retention, and nutrient availability.

For Mulching

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of coco coir chips around plants to:

• Retain soil moisture
• Suppress weeds
• Regulate soil temperature

In Compost Piles

Add coco coir to your compost to:

• Improve aeration
• Balance carbon-to-nitrogen ratio
• Speed up decomposition

Mix in about 10-20% coco coir by volume.

Coco Coir for Indoor Plants: A Game-Changer

Coco coir isn't just for outdoor gardens – it's a superstar for indoor plants too!

Creating the Perfect Coco Coir Grow Mix

For many indoor plants, try this grow mix:

• 70% Coco Coir
• 20% Perlite
• 10% Fir or Orchid Bark

This grow mix blend provides excellent drainage, aeration, and nutrition, with an average particle size of 41, a total porosity of 87%, Water Retention at 55.5%, Air Filled Porosity of 31.5%, pH just a hair over 6, at 6.01 and a CEC of 45.20 meq/100g

Grow Mix Property Descriptions:

Average Particle Size: Represents the average size of soil particles. Smaller particles (lower values) create denser soil with smaller pores, while larger particles create looser soil with larger pores.

Total Porosity: The percentage of soil volume that is not occupied by solid particles. Higher porosity means more space for air and water.

Water Retention: The soil's ability to hold water against gravity. Higher values indicate soil that retains more water, which can be beneficial for moisture-loving plants but may lead to poor drainage.

Air-filled Porosity: The percentage of soil volume filled with air when the soil is at field capacity (after excess water has drained). This is crucial for root respiration and overall plant health.

pH: A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline. Most plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0).

CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity): A measure of the soil's ability to hold and exchange nutrients. Higher CEC values indicate better nutrient retention. Measured in milliequivalents per 100 grams of soil (meq/100g).

Best Plants for Coco Coir

While many plants thrive in coco coir, some standout performers include:

1. Philodendrons: These tropical beauties love the moisture retention of coco coir. The medium's excellent drainage prevents root rot, a common issue with overwatered philodendrons. The air pockets in coco coir also support their aerial roots, promoting faster growth.
2. Pothos: Known for their hardiness, pothos plants excel in coco coir. The medium's ability to hold onto nutrients while still draining well suits their low-maintenance nature. Coco coir's resistance to compaction also allows pothos roots to spread easily, encouraging bushier growth.
3. Snake plants: These drought-tolerant plants appreciate coco coir's excellent drainage. The medium prevents water from sitting around their roots, which can cause fatal root rot. The coir's ability to retain some moisture means you can water less frequently, perfect for forgetful plant parents.
4. Monstera: These popular houseplants love coco coir's combination of moisture retention and aeration. The loose structure of coir supports their vigorous root system and allows aerial roots to easily penetrate the medium. This can lead to more impressive leaf development and faster growth.
5. Orchids: Many orchid species naturally grow on trees, not in soil. Coco coir mimics their natural growing conditions by providing excellent aeration and quick drainage. The coir retains just enough moisture to keep orchid roots happy without risking root rot, a common problem with these sensitive plants.

These plants particularly thrive in coco coir due to its unique properties that closely mimic their natural growing conditions. The excellent balance of water retention and drainage, coupled with good aeration, makes coco coir an ideal growing medium for these popular houseplants.

Watering and Fertilizing Indoor Plants in Coco Coir

• Water more frequently than with traditional peat-based potting soil, as coco coir dries out faster.
• Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half or quarter strength with each, or every other watering.
• Flush the growing medium with plain water monthly to prevent salt buildup.

Pro Tips for Coco Coir Success

1. Pre-charge your coir: Mix in slow-release fertilizer before planting to give your plants a nutrient boost.
2. Monitor calcium and magnesium: Coco coir can sometimes bind these nutrients. Use a Cal-Mag supplement if you notice deficiency symptoms.
3. Reuse and recycle: Coco coir can be reused for multiple growing seasons. Just clean, sterilize, and rehydrate between uses.
4. Experiment with ratios: Try different mixes of coir, perlite, and compost to find the perfect blend for your specific plants and growing conditions.
5. Consider coir alternatives: For plants that prefer more acidic conditions, try mixing in some peat moss or pine bark.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-compressing: Don't pack coco coir too tightly in pots, as this can reduce aeration.
2. Ignoring pH: Regular pH testing is crucial, especially for pH-sensitive plants.
3. Overwatering: While coco coir drains moisture well, it's still possible to overwater. Always check before watering.
4. Skipping buffering: Buffering coco coir can prevent calcium and magnesium deficiencies down the line.
5. Forgetting to adjust fertilizer: Coco coir requires different fertilization strategies compared to traditional peat-based or traditional soil. Research your plants' specific needs.

Conclusion: Embrace the Coco Coir Revolution

Coco coir is more than just a trendy growing medium – it's a sustainable, versatile solution that can transform your gardening experience. By following this Unlikely Gardener guide, you're well on your way to harnessing the power of coco coir for both your outdoor garden and indoor plant oasis.

Remember, gardening is all about experimentation and learning. Don't be afraid to try different coco coir blends and techniques to find what works best for your unique plant family. Happy growing!