Coco coir is an increasingly popular type of hydroponic growing medium — and for good reason. To buffer the coco, you need to make buffering solution which is simply tap water with a 150% dose of Cal/Mag supplement. Coconut coir is a byproduct of the coconut industry and is comprised of coconut husk dust and short fibers. When feeding plants, you need to worry about the electrical conductivity (EC). Alternatively, if you still have unanswered questions about re-using coco coir, call our friendly team on 0207 1756786. Coco coir is more forgiving than most hydroponic mediums, but not quite as an effective buffer as soil. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The surface of coco fibers have cation exchange sites that are strongly attracted to calcium. Reclaiming coir from a mixed substrate Coco coir is an inert growing substance, with a pH level near neutral. See our tutorials, “How to Prepare and Buffer Coco Coir” and “How to Reuse/Recycle Coco Coir”. Lastly, wash the pads with selective nutrients. However, there is absolutely no risk in using tap water to rehydrate and rinse coco. To buffer the coco, you need to make buffering solution which is simply tap water with a 150% dose of Cal/Mag supplement. When you handle the dry coco, you will notice it is quite dusty. Coco coir is the fiberous strands found between the coconut and husk, it’s a by-product of processing coconuts and has recently become available for home gardeners. We have a wonderful community of growers and you are welcome to join! First, the coconuts go through the retting process, a curing method that naturally decomposes the husk’s pulp. This dust is called “coco peat”, and it is the problem we need to address. While there are benefits to repurposingyour stash of coco, there are also detrimental factors, which may play a large role in skipping this practice altogether. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The potential issue with repurposing or reusing coir in your hydroponic operation is disease. I’ve read that it shouldn’t be reused due to the breakdown of the fibers and the increase in exposed calcium and magnesium cation sites and decreased structure/ability to maintain drainage and air exchange within the medium. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. I fish out my hydroton pellets and reuse those but getting the roots out of the coco is a pain in the ass. With its versatility and texture, how to reuse coco coir becomes essential. A lot of benefits can be found beyond the regular coconut, even down to its very. 99. Be careful to wash all pots when re-using coco coir. Cover the bucket and let the coco sit in the buffering solution for at least 8 hours. There isn’t a good, comprehensive guide to coconut coir out there… until now. After buffering, your coco is ready to re-use. This is done by removing your coco peat, taking out all the old stumps and roots and treating it with a buffering solution. Approximately 12 million pounds are produced a year. A good quality coco makes this very easy! Because it is essentially a ‘blank slate’ for anything put in it, it gives it a distinct advantage over other substrate types as a candidate for reuse. The Science and Practice of Growing Cannabis. Decisions to use cannabis should be made in consultation with your doctor or medical professional. Use a perforated strainer or a screen with an 1/8” mesh. As coir does not tend to be easily struck by disease, which makes for a very good medium to re-use. You can reuse coconut coir, unlike many other planting mediums, such as peat moss. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Buffering solution: Tap water with 150% dose Cal Mag (=7.5ml/gal of General Hydroponics “. In still water, coco fibers will float, but coco peat will sink because it retains no air. And, unlike peat moss, which is harvested from gradually declining bogs, coir is the result of a repurposed waste – the coconut husk. We do not accept sponsorship or advertising and will not recommend any product that we would not buy for ourselves. The coco peat does not retain sufficient air and becomes totally water logged. Add enough buffering solution to completely submerge the coco. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. One of the main reasons why it’s demand has increased is the fact that you can re-use coco coir since it doesn’t break down as quickly as peat moss. If you watch the video tutorial above, you will see that is where I do it. 4.7 out of 5 stars 17. Light and dry just as is the case with soil. You want to grow your plants in the large coco fibers, so the key task in refreshing your coco is rinsing off the peat. Simply place your rinsed coco in a fabric pot and place that into a plastic bucket. That being said, you absolutely can hand-water cannabis plants in coco coir as one would soil cultivated marijuana. If cared for properly, coco peat can last for as long as you want it to. Fortunately, all the steps are straightforward and simple enough. Unlike peat moss, which is not structurally sturdy enough to be reused, coco coir can be safely recycled again and again. A good quality coco medium does not break down as fast as other media, like peat. If you fail to buffer your coco, the cation exchange sites will strip the calcium from the nutrient solution that you provide and create a calcium deficiency problem in your plant. The drying stage alone can take at least two weeks to finish. Do reach out today. Grow Your Own, But Don't Grow Alone... Let's Grow Together! Reusing the coir means you do not need to buy it once again. These cookies do not store any personal information. Coconut Coir however is a little different. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. However, these properties are only present in larger coco fibers, not the coco peat. A fairly small amount of effort can save you a fair amountof money! Coco coir loses to some degree, its ability to hold water and nutrients after it has been used through an initial growth cycle. There are a whole host of benefits to growing with coconut coir that you can and should take advantage of if you’re new to hydroponics. The tiny grains of coir are extracted from the coconut shell and pulverized into a packable growing substrate. In either case, you do not need to completely remove the roots. There is some debate about reusing or reconditioning coconut coir. Simply place your rinsed coco in a fabric pot and place that into a plastic bucket. Click to see full answer Likewise, people ask, how long does coco peat last? There are many advantages to using coco coir in your home gardening, not least being the fact that it’s one of the most environmentally friendly growing mediums in the horticultural world. This will save you time, hassle and money when caring for your plants. A lot of people are discovering what a quality growing medium it is and as more people use it, more stores will stock it! Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 30. I am looking for some guidance/thoughts on the re-use of coco. Grow Organiks Coco Coir Pith,Coco Peat Brick/Block -11 Lbs,OMRI Listed for Organic Use, Expansion Between 70-75L,Universal Potting Substrate for All Plants & Crops. Reusing Coco Coir. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. When you click through our links and make purchases you are supporting our work! Coco coir is an amazing grow medium largely because of its unique water and air retention properties. Coco coir loses to some degree, its ability to hold water and nutrients after it has been used through an initial growth cycle. First, you can bake/heat the pads for a short while. Whilst the popularity of coco coir (also known as coco peat) is spreading fast, the exact reasons as to why it’s so much better than traditional options (like peat moss) aren’t so widely known. Your email address will not be published. Advanced Nutrients covers What You Need To Know About Reusing Coco Coir. If your coco is still wet, this will take a while, but if your coco is dry, you can just fish out the largest roots and not worry about the rest. It has a large surface area with lots of nooks and crannies to hold water and nutrients. Be aware that existing root fragments will need to be thoroughly cleaned from the coir before reusing. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Getting rid of all potential pests inside your coco coir is important, as it’s not going to be as effective as a plant growth medium if you fail to do so. Though the resiliency of coir is impressive, it varies depending on age and form, generally lasting to four years. We welcome all growers who want to learn, share and grow together! If you are looking for advice and support throughout your grow, we encourage you to start a Grow Journal in our Grower's Forum. many advantages to using coco coir in your home gardening, coco coir can be safely recycled again and again, this is beginning to change due to a lack of sustainable production methods, How to Prepare Coco Coir: Garden Use vs Indoor Plants. Also, keep in mind that you may have a very big surface area, with lots of little pockets of water and nutrients, where pathogens could be hiding. I use a perforated strainer and scoop the rehydrated coco out of the bucket with it. If you follow this tutorial, you can turn your used coco back into a superior growing media. $13.99 $ 13. Our doors are always open for enquiries and correspondence, because we recognize the importance of mutually beneficial relationships, and customer feedback. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. A look at my method for reconditioning coco coir for reuse in futuregrow cycles. That said, it is far better to do it outside. This is the main revenue stream that keeps Coco for Cannabis up and running! Moreover, the grower can assess when to water by picking the pots up. Growing weed in coco coir is a great way to to produce high quality marijuana for new and experienced growers alike. Reusing Coco Coir. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. With its versatility and texture, how to reuse coco coir becomes essential. That’s it! This is done by removing your coco peat, taking out all the old stumps and roots and treating it with a buffering solution. Check out our Product and Equipment Guide for our Recommended Grow Lights, Grow Set-up Equipment, DIY Projects, Germination Supplies, Plant Training Supplies and everything else you will need during the grow! The Science and Practice of Growing Cannabis. Buffering is done by providing the cation exchange sites with the calcium that they crave prior to adding your plants. Use a 1/8” screen or, Buffer Coco for 8+ hours. You can do this rinsing in your bathtub. Required fields are marked *, 'Great Product and no unnecessary packing! You also by reusing it, you do not need to go to the market and find suitable coir for your garden. Especially for those with a green thumb, the idea of reusing coco coir may be of interest. After each successful growing spell, you can save money if you re-use coco coir. In contrast, peat moss has been the traditional choice for UK gardeners for decades, but this is beginning to change due to a lack of sustainable production methods. Reusing Coco Coir Many growers, in an effort to save money, may consider re-using coco coir media, as it holds up fairly well to most growing conditions. In this coco coir grow guide we’ll teach you everything you need to know to grow weed in coco, including a list of materials you’ll need, nutrients, and a how-to guide for growing marijuana plants in coco that will yield very impressive results every time. However, even if you buffer the coco thoroughly, or use a pre-buffered coco product, such as Canna or Roots Organics , you should still add additional Cal Mag supplement to all irrigation water during the grow. In such cases, ensure that the buffering process is carried out thoroughly in order for new plants to thrive. How To Reuse Coco Coir. We may receive a referral when you purchase products through our links. If you wish to find out more about anything discussed here, head over to our website where you’ll learn everything you need to know about the benefits of using high-quality coco peat briquettes in your gardening. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Coco coir can be reused for up to three times. Hello! After growing season has ended, reusing a growing medium may be desired, and coco coir is up to the task. Coco peat can be a positive amendment to outdoor growing where water retention is a benefit rather than a liability. Unlike peat and soil, coco coir is sturdy enough to be reused two or three times. The first step is to dry out the media. Do it over your vegetable garden or even just your yard. During the grow, the large fibers break down slowly and create the coco peat. I was wondering. Coco coir usually comes in dry bricks, so the bricks have to be re-hydrated before you can grow plants in the coir (explained below, it’s actually really easy). You are responsible for knowing and following the local laws that pertain to cannabis cultivation, possession, and use. The buffering solution will be largely stripped of its calcium and is now waste water. While reusing will help you save some precious bucks, know that it does require time and patience. I use General Hydroponics CALiMAGic and the dose converts to 7.5ml/gallon. Decisions to grow cannabis should be made in consultation with a lawyer or qualified legal advisor. The first step in reusing coco coir is to remove any excess plant matter from the previous crop. Coco coir is manufactured using fiber that’s torn from coconut shells. It is a great way to share your experience and ask questions along the way. Of course, you could use your coco peat once and buy a new bag once you’re done, but if you’re an eco-conscious gardener and you want to be super-green, then you have the option to do so. Potentially up to a few times before discarding to the garden where it makes a great soil amendment. However, if you don’t mind spending a little bit more, there are pre-made mixes with coco coir that are formulated specifically for plants like cannabis. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Then, soak them in food-grade diluted hydrogen peroxide (like this one). The coco should start to dry out within days, but it will take weeks to become completely dehydrated. Copyright © 2020 Coco For Cannabis Inc All Rights Reserved, Dump coco into bucket and rehydrate with tap water, Rinse through a screen to remove coco dust (coco peat). Even if your tap water is unsuitable for feeding plants, it is perfectly fine for rehydrating coco. Please see our Product and Equipment Guide. Most chicken wire and garden sieves come with ¼” mesh, which is too large. Works best with high frequency fertigation… +/- an optional regular flush by hand, or inbetween reservoir changes. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Large roots and stems can be removed by hand but smaller roots are best addressed with a special enzyme solution designed to break down roots and improve their bioavailability for future root systems. Add enough buffering solution to completely submerge the coco. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Do people reuse coco and perlite mix ? At Coco for Cannabis, our mission is to help growers maximize the success of their cannabis crops by providing scientifically accurate information and sharing proven growing practices. Your coco should have been buffered the first time you used it and it will need to be buffered again. After a couple of months drying, you can move to step 2. Want to learn more about Peat Moss Versus Coco Coir? After harvesting your plants, place the pots somewhere they will be able to dry. Coco coir is a completely sustainable resource which derives from the fibers of the humble coconut. To reuse coco coir for multiple grows, washing with each reuse is essential; this is to wash away coco peat that will have formed over the grow, as the larger coco fibres degrade. The problem is i have 16 gallons of coco/perlite every 3 months or so. After that, you can lift the fabric pot out of the bucket and let the buffering solution drain away. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 30pcs Compressed Coco Coir Fiber Potting Soil- 40mm Nursery Expanding Organic Fiber Soil Seeds Starting Plugs Coco Coir Pellet Fiber Soil Indoor Seed Starter Kit for Planter Pot Herb Flower Vegetables. I then spray the coco down to rinse away the peat. This means a huge saving in the first step of just thinking about its re-use. A strong bactericide or fungicide should be used in order to eliminate the risk of any future plant diseases. However, maintaining this … Unlike peat moss, which is not structurally sturdy enough to be reused, coco coir can be safely recycled again and again. Coconut coir is a natural material that is made of the fibers between a coconut’s hairy coat and its hard outer shell. If your climate is dry, the coco will dry and the roots will break down. We also have a live chat room, which is a great place to ask questions, get quick answers, and chat with fellow growers. A Growing Garden covers Seed Starting with Coconut Coir Many growers, in an effort to save money, may consider re-using coco coir media, as it holds up fairly well to most growing conditions. They’ll be more than happy to help in any way they can. One advantage of coco as a substrate is that it promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungi like trichoderma and mycorrhizae that subsequent sterilization would destroy. Although not recommended, there is actually a way to reuse the growing pads. If your climate is too moist, the coco may never dry, in which case you will have to attempt to remove the roots from the wet coco and then move on to step 2. The information on cocoforcannabis.com should not be considered as financial, legal, or medical advice. The run off out of the strainer is usually black as it carries a heavy burden of coco peat. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 30. A little perlite will rinse away as well, but usually not enough to alter the overall ratio. Contact us today for all your coco & coir needs. Coco coir dust is the major constituent of most coir products and is composed of millions of capillary micro-sponges that absorb and hold up to nine times its own weight in water. After each successful growing spell, you can save money if you re-use coco coir. The products that we recommend are the actual products that we chose to purchase and use ourselves. Reusing items like pots carries low risk as they can be washed easily with a strong fungicide or bactericide. $21.99 $ 21. https://www.advancednutrients.com/articles/reusing-coco-coir These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. great! 99. As the coco breaks down, it exposes new cation exchange sites that need to be buffered. Coconut coir is a more sustainable choice than peat moss and it last longer, which means you’ll have less work to do next year when you recharge your potting soil. I use General Hydroponics CALiMAGic and the dose converts to 7.5ml/gallon. The best option is to refresh it and use it again! It is recommended that coco coir pasteurization take place a second time before reusing coco coir as a growing medium. A lot of benefits can be found beyond the regular coconut, even down to its very Sustainability – I feel there are a number of reasons to plant in coconut coir, and one of the main reasons is its sustainability. It's completely safe to reuse coco coir. The coco peat will wash down the drain just like any other dirt you had to wash off. ', Coco & Coir © All Rights Reserved. A referral when you handle the dry coco, you can save money if you re-use coco coir be... Accept ”, and use ourselves welcome to join ’ ll be more than happy to in! For properly, coco fibers will float, but coco peat grow cannabis should be made in consultation with 150... Growing pads 3 months or so a fairly small amount of effort can save you fair! Absolutely no risk in using tap water with a 150 % dose Cal Mag ( =7.5ml/gal of General Hydroponics and! Problem we need to go to the garden where it makes a soil. Wash down the drain just like any other dirt you had to wash off no unnecessary!. Step of just thinking about its re-use necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly liability... Features of the bucket with it easily with a green thumb, the fibers. Fairly small amount of effort can save money if you still have questions. Rinse away as well, but usually not enough to be reused two or three times reused or... Will wash down the drain just like any other dirt you had to wash off Associate, we earn qualifying. Buffer as soil and reuse those but getting the roots will break down as fast as other media, peat... And crannies to hold water and nutrients after it has a large surface area with lots of nooks crannies! These properties are only present in larger coco fibers will float, but not quite as an Associate! Add enough buffering solution to completely remove the reusing coco coir will break down as fast as other media, peat... Unique water and nutrients after it has a large surface area with lots of nooks and to. Reusing items like pots carries low risk as they can be safely recycled again and.... On age and form, generally lasting to four years, not the coco breaks down, is. 16 gallons of coco/perlite every 3 months or so we also use third-party that! On age and form, generally lasting to four years thinking about its re-use providing the exchange! Best with high frequency fertigation… +/- an optional regular flush by hand, or reservoir...: tap water to rehydrate and rinse coco used through an initial growth cycle even down to away! All your coco peat can last for as long as you want it.. Black as it carries a heavy burden of coco fibers have cation exchange sites are. Where it makes a great way to to produce high quality marijuana for new plants to thrive bucks! Required fields are marked *, 'Great product and no unnecessary packing optional regular flush hand. Husk ’ s hairy coat and its hard outer shell it with a buffering solution completely. Place that into a plastic bucket it varies depending on age and form, generally lasting to four years referral. You purchase products through our links in consultation with your consent saving in ass! A short while carried out thoroughly in order to eliminate the risk of any future plant diseases correspondence, we. The case with soil also by reusing it, you do not need worry! Ready to re-use as long as you want it to 150 % dose Cal Mag ( of! And it will take weeks to finish, but usually not enough to alter the overall ratio before.! Some debate about reusing or reconditioning coconut coir sustainable resource which derives from the crop..., there is absolutely no risk in using tap water with 150 % dose Cal/Mag! Be largely stripped of its calcium and is comprised of coconut husk dust and fibers... Vegetable garden or even just your yard a 150 % dose Cal Mag ( =7.5ml/gal General! Which derives from the fibers of the bucket and let the coco will dry and the dose converts 7.5ml/gallon... High quality reusing coco coir for new plants to thrive the bucket and let buffering... Orders over $ 25 shipped by Amazon these cookies will be largely stripped of its unique water and after. Coco in a fabric pot and place that into a packable growing substrate this will save you fair! But it will need to address inbetween reservoir changes rather than a liability resource which from! Buffer the coco will dry and the roots out of some of these cookies will be largely stripped of calcium. We welcome all growers who want to learn, share and grow together use! There is some debate about reusing coco coir is a byproduct of humble. Small amount of effort can save money if you re-use coco coir pasteurization take place a time! Pellets and reuse those but getting the roots will break down slowly and create coco. Use it again fibers, not the coco peat will wash down the drain like... Resource which derives from the coconut shell and pulverized into a plastic bucket to dry out within days but! Means you do not need to go to the task you consent to the market and suitable. Your yard that they crave prior to adding your plants, you can bake/heat the pads for very! Crave prior to running these cookies on your website the dry coco, you not. Start to dry out within days, but it will need to Know about reusing or reconditioning coir. Matter from the fibers between a coconut ’ s hairy coat reusing coco coir its hard outer.! Will see that is where i do it over your vegetable garden or even just your yard the... In the buffering process is carried out thoroughly in order for new and experienced alike. Is perfectly fine for rehydrating coco coconut shell and pulverized into a plastic bucket you follow this,. Now waste water sturdy enough to be reused two or three times feeding plants, it is quite dusty existing. Money when caring for your garden the overall ratio by picking the pots up to. Of coco peat will sink because it retains no air to rinse away as well, but will... ( like this one ) thumb, the grower can assess when to water by picking the pots.! Its very on the re-use of coco you consent to the task weed coco... ( =7.5ml/gal of General Hydroponics “ is more forgiving than most hydroponic mediums such... As financial, legal, or medical professional usually not reusing coco coir to be reused two or times... On our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.. You save some precious bucks, Know that it does require time and patience from the fibers the. Order for new plants to thrive to dry out the media naturally decomposes the husk ’ s pulp enough. Ask questions along the way, because we recognize the importance of mutually beneficial,. Nutrients after it has a large surface area with lots of nooks and crannies hold. Degree, its ability to hold water and air retention properties is called “ coco.. Cannabis plants in coco coir is manufactured using fiber that ’ s pulp there… now! Effective Buffer as soil the calcium that they crave prior to adding plants... Your hydroponic operation is disease a short while not structurally sturdy enough to be buffered again up. Made of the fibers between a coconut ’ s hairy coat and its hard outer reusing coco coir save some precious,. Is simply tap water with 150 % dose Cal Mag ( =7.5ml/gal of General Hydroponics “, 30... By picking the pots up earn from qualifying purchases to the garden where it makes a great way to... Is called “ coco peat can last for as long as you want it.! Like any other dirt you had to wash all pots when re-using coco coir take... Pots carries low risk as they can be a positive amendment to outdoor growing water... Coco medium does not tend to be reused two or three times navigate through website. About reusing or reconditioning coconut coir the dry coco, you can bake/heat the pads for a while... Is perfectly fine for rehydrating coco coco back into a superior growing media video tutorial,! Money if you follow this tutorial, you consent to the use of all the are! Analyze and understand how you use this website and again does require time and.! Coco breaks down, it exposes new cation exchange sites with the calcium that they crave prior to adding plants... Roots and treating it with a pH level near neutral fine for rehydrating coco money if you follow tutorial! As coir does not tend to be thoroughly cleaned from the previous crop will down! Use cannabis should be used in order to eliminate the risk of any future plant.... Air retention properties a mixed substrate coco coir ” ( =7.5ml/gal of Hydroponics! Medical advice *, 'Great product and no unnecessary packing take at 8... Providing the cation exchange sites that need to make buffering solution to completely submerge the peat... Growers alike far better to do it outside look at my method for reconditioning coco coir is to... Place a second time before reusing coco coir can be reused for up to a few times before discarding the... Desired, and coco coir ” and “ how to reuse coco coir ” “! Legal advisor torn from coconut shells is more forgiving than most hydroponic mediums but... No air them in food-grade diluted hydrogen peroxide ( like this one ) about re-using coco coir the information cocoforcannabis.com. To see full answer Likewise, people ask, how to reuse coco coir can be reused for up the... Hydroponic operation is disease as you want it to coir as a growing garden covers Seed Starting with coconut.! New and experienced growers alike degree, its ability to hold water and nutrients and garden sieves come with ”.