What Is Coconut Coir And Which To Get?

Today, the most common hydroponic growing medium is coco coir. Many people are taking numerous benefits of using coco coir in the growing process, and now it becomes their best choice among hydroponics.

This guide is all about coco coir definition, types of coconut coir, how to use coco coir, benefits, drawbacks, etc. In addition, we have listed down the best ten coco coir that one can have for their garden and would facilitate them. Read the full article and unveil the buying guide too.

What is Coir or Coconut Coir?

A product created with coconut fiber (coconut coir) was manufactured in the 19th century to enhance short-term growing to get fast results. But due to low quality, people rejected the product, and it was found useless. Then in the 20th century, the product was again introduced in the market with advanced properties containing organic ingredients and became competitive.

The coco coir is formulated with fiber that comes from an outer shell of a coconut. Then the grain of coir becomes transformed into powder form during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, producing the coco coir used to take at least six months in the past. But today, it can be created within weeks with advanced technologies.

The Types Of Coconut Coir

Mainly, there are three types of coconut coir; they are:

1. Coco Peat /Pith: It works perfectly in retraining water. It contains a rich brown color. Most people avoid using the coco peat because it dries out your plant’s roots and sucks all water.
2. Coco Fibers: the coco fibers are beneficial in supplying oxygen to the roots of plants. Moreover, they are less absorbent and can easily break. They were not created for multiple uses.
3. Coco Chips: the combination of coco peat and fiber creates coco chips. Its purpose is to retain water as well as to supply air to the roots.

The growers can show creativity and make a perfect combination with different types of coco coil. But for this process, one needs to have ultimate knowledge and experience of growing and gardening. Also, some brands are manufacturing these types of mixed coir that can facilitate your needs ideally. Therefore, you ought to know the valuable factors of buying the ideal coco coir.

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Coconut Coir

Advantages

1. The main advantage that the coco coir contains is that it retains moisture and serves as an ideal environment to grow plants fastly. Also, it helps in making roots hydrated all the time which leads to better growth.
2. Whenever you practice growing with coco coir, you can find it like growing in soil. But, the difference between a hydroponic garden and a soil garden is that you only have to water the plants in a soil garden. Whereas in the hydroponic garden, you need to hydrate plants with nutrient-enriched water. So, it’s more like soil gardening; the process is not so different.
3. The coco coir is an environmentally friendly product that can provide the best results without becoming a risk as the coco coir contains organic ingredients and is created from recycled material. Additionally, some brands offer the reusable coco coir which is also a plus point for most buyers.
4. The coco coir is insect neutral.
5. It is less complex and convenient comparatively better than traditional hydroponics.

Disadvantages

1. Coconut coir is dependent on hydroponic nutrients and maintaining pH, whereas soil is itself contains nutrients and doesn’t need any other nutrients. Similarly, it is inert. 
2. When using coco coir, you need to add more calcium, magnesium, and other additional supplementation to the plants.
3. Coco coir usually comes in dry bricks form, so it must soak these bricks before using them. However, most people don’t like the process of soaking. Also, it is not ready to use.
4. According to garden and growing experts, mixing coco coir with peats, fibers, and other relevant bricks is beneficial in ensuring rapid growth. But, at the same time, it requires you to pay attention and spend extra dollars. Also, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Finally, it requires ultimate knowledge and understanding.

How to Buy High-Quality Coco Coir?

The main factor to look for in a coco coil is how it is formed (including harvesting and preparation). It is pretty challenging to learn about the manufacturing process, but it is essential to get the ideal product. Furthermore, there are numerous trustable suppliers that manufacture high-quality cocoa coil that one can easily purchase. Always ask your retailer before buying coco coir where it was produced and harvested. Also, your focus must be to choose a perfect and experienced retailer in supplying premium coco coir.

Therefore, opt for the best product that suits you.

The 10 Best Coco Coil That You Should Buy

Urban Worm Coco Coir Soil Amendment and Bedding

Pros

• Versatile
• Sustainable
• Created with natural ingredients

Cons

• Pricey
• Complex and difficult to cut

CANNA Coco Brick 40l Expandable Natural Plant Medium Soil Substrate

Pros

• Ready to use
• Prewashed
• High quality
• Economical
• Effortless to store and transport
• RHP certified
• Great value for money

Cons

• Drainage issues
• Can attract gnats

FoxFarm FX14100 Coconut Husk Fiber Loco Potting Mix

Pros

• It contains extra nutrition like magnesium and calcium
• Created for all types of plants (indoor and outdoor)
• Provides wonderful water retention
• High-quality product
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Instability of pH

General Hydroponics HGC714064 CocoTek Bale Premium Coco Growing Media

Pros

• Vast drainage options
• A perfect alternative of sphagnum peat moss
• Ideal for beginners

Cons

• Expensive

Hydrofarm Growt AD113000 Coco-Can Croutons

Pros

• Lightweight
• Ready to use, one doesn’t need to soak it before using.
• Water holding capacity is outstanding
• An organic alternative to rocks or clay pallets.

Cons

• Quality is not so good

Roots Organics Coco Chips

Pros

• Bring more aeration to the growing area
• Premium coco chips
• Retents water superiorly
• It also maintains air pressures

Cons

• No such drawbacks

Coco Bliss Premium Coconut Chips

Pros

• High-quality product
• Versatile
• OMRI listed
• Sustainable

Cons

• It contains few sand particles
• Expensive

MOTHER EARTH Coco Bale 5 kg

Pros

• Thoroughly Cleaned
• Safe for all plants
• Affordable price
• Ultimate drainage abilities

Cons

• Contain strong odor

Prococo Cocopeat Compressed Block Premium Coconut Coir Coco Bricks

Pros

• OMRI-listed
• Safe for all plants
• Thoroughly cleaned

Cons

• Fibers are hard to manage

Minute Soil – Compressed Coco Coir Fiber Grow

Pros

• 100% safe for plants
• Sustainable
• Lightweight
• Compact size
• Economical
• Easy to Use
• OMRI-listed

Cons

• Requires a lot of water
• No description pH is mentioned

Conclusion

Therefore, all gardeners and growers are always in need of a premium quality coco coir to facilitate the growing process. Further, the coco coir enhances and smoothens the growing process and ensures rapid growth. But, when you are using coco coir, you need to hydrate the plants with nutrient water. Therefore, it is necessary to provide nutrients supplements to the plants when using coco coir. Otherwise, it can dry out the roots and make your plant’s health worse.

In addition, it is also quite tricky when you want to use mixed coco coir; it is recommended not to mix it without an expert’s advice. Or else, you can end up creating more mess with your plants. Lastly, one should be aware of the best coco coir that he needs for the growing purposes. There are numerous brands and trustable retailers online and market from where anyone can buy. Of course, the best platform is Amazon, and you can find all types of coco coir there. We have also mentioned 10 of the best products, so choose from the above listed according to your needs.

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