Coco

Coco coir is the default medium for most UK growers who have moved past their first grow. It behaves like hydroponics – fast growth, full control over feed – while still being a substrate you can put in a pot and water by hand.

Why growers switch to coco

• Faster than soil. High air content in the root zone means faster uptake and visibly quicker growth.
• Full control. Coco is inert, so the plant gets exactly what you feed it and nothing else. Nothing is locked in the medium working against you.
• Hard to overwater. It drains freely and holds air even when saturated, which is the opposite of heavy soil.
• Cheap and renewable. A by-product of the coconut industry rather than stripped peat.

The three things coco growers get wrong

1. Using a soil nutrient. Coco binds calcium and magnesium and releases potassium. A soil feed will leave you cal-mag deficient by week three – interveinal yellowing on the newer growth. Use a coco-specific base or add CalMag.
2. Not feeding every watering. Coco holds no nutrition of its own. Every watering is a feed, at low to moderate strength – not plain water between feeds like soil.
3. Buying unbuffered coco to save money. Cheap coco needs soaking in a cal-mag solution before use. Branded pre-buffered coco has had this done. The saving is not worth the deficiency.

Straight coco or a coco-perlite mix?

70/30 coco to perlite is the standard for hand watering – more air, faster drying, harder to drown. Straight coco holds more water and suits drip systems where you are watering little and often. Both are sold ready mixed.

Watering rhythm

Little and often beats a soaking every few days. Aim for 10-20% run-off each feed to stop salts building up, and water at least daily once plants are established – more in flower under a big light. Automated drippers make this much easier: see dripper systems.

What we stock

Canna Coco Professional Plus, Plagron, Ugro coco blocks, Biobizz Coco-Mix, quick-fill bags and coco-perlite blends. Feed it with a coco-specific line from base nutrients, and compare against soil and rockwool on the growing media page.

Coco FAQs

What pH for coco?
5.8 to 6.2 at the feed. Lower than soil, higher than pure hydro.

Can I use organic nutrients in coco?
Not really. Coco is inert with little biology to break organics down. Mineral feeds are what it is designed for – see organic nutrients if you would rather grow that way, and use soil instead.

Can I reuse coco?
Yes, once or twice, if you flush it thoroughly and re-buffer. Root mass from the previous grow needs removing first.

Why buy coco from The Hydro Bros?

We are a hydroponics shop in Croydon and we shift coco by the pallet, so it is fresh and correctly buffered rather than sat in a warehouse. Discreet UK and European delivery, and excellent customer reviews on Trustpilot.