🥥 Coco Coir Science: The Ideal Medium
Coco coir, a fibrous material derived from coconut husks, is a superior hydroponic substrate. Its fibrous nature provides an excellent air-to-water ratio, crucial for root health and nutrient uptake.
Key Properties:
- Inert & Sterile: Contains no native nutrients or pathogens, giving you complete control.
- High Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): Coco naturally binds to Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) ions, releasing Potassium (K) and Sodium (Na). This is why buffering with CalMag is essential before use to prevent deficiencies and nutrient lockout.
- Excellent Drainage & Retention: Holds water efficiently while allowing excess to drain quickly, preventing root rot and ensuring oxygen availability.
🔧 Pro Tip: If you're using unbuffered coco coir, always buffer it with a CalMag solution before planting. This prevents initial calcium and magnesium deficiencies, which are very common in coco.
Always choose buffered coco coir or buffer it yourself by soaking it in a CalMag solution for 12-24 hours, then rinsing thoroughly.