Benefits of Growing Cannabis in Coconut Coir

Why I Use Coco Coir

When growing indoors on any scale, I've found coco coir to be ideal for most circumstances. Coco coir is a soiless substrate, so it's still considered hydro, made from the fibres found between a ripe coconut’s shell, and outer surface. Once just a by product of the coconut industry, it is now recycled and used in hydroponic gardens, mostly for cannabis, and other flowers. I personally use only coco, with perlite, about a 75/25 ratio in my pots. That simple! I wanted to lay out some of the benefits of using coir and why I choose it as my grow media.

It's Enviornmemtally Renewable

It's may come as a surprise to many who think the cannabis community is a bunch of hippies all about health and conservation, but a lot of practices, especially on illegal farms, cause irreversible damage to the environment. Mostly from the use of pesticides, and letting run-off simply drain into the surrounding environment full of synthetic nutrients. It's a huge problem in Northern California, and an embarrassment to the majority of cannabis connoisseurs. Since the cannabis community has boomed over the last decade there has been a growth in factories providing growers with equipment, and supplies for their farms. From the fossil fuels, to the packaging, this mass endeavor also takes its toll on the environment. Coir not only is made from what was once considered trash, but is also reusable. I'm not sure how much this alleviates our environmental footprint, but it has to count for something right?

Hard to Over-water/Awesome Aeration

Coco coir retains water on a 70 to 30 moisture to aeration ratio. This means if you water one pot with 1 gal of water, and another with 2 gallons, you will notice the one watered with 2 has twice the runoff. In other words, no matter how much water is added, the coco will retain the same amount of water. This keeps your roots from turning to mush, and keeps optimal aeration in cases of accidental over-watering. Also, coco is known for retaining the water is does hold for longer than other hydroponic options, which lets the nutrients soak into the roots for a longer period making for larger buds, and the ability to grow larger plants in smaller pots. Another plus is that it doesn't compact from watering easily. It's nice to your roots! long as you don't let the coco get completely dry you're g2g!

Bacteria Free

If a neutral ph wasn't enough,
Coconut coir has a natural composition of lignins, which are a natural polymer that encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in gardening. The good bacteria's found in coco also promote healthy roots. I just throw in some Great White mycorrhizal, and boom! You have an perfect substrate for you're roots to grow long and healthy!

Easy to Fix Mistakes

Like I pointed out earlier, the way coco retains water makes it difficult to over water, but that doesn't mean you can't overfeed with to much nutrients in your water. If this happens, a quick flush will wash them away. Also, if there is a deficiency of nutrients you can easily supplement during the next watering. Coco will make these nutrients available to the Roots immediately.