Last Updated on May 15, 2022 by Gary Stephen
Nowadays, cultivation using traditional soil is so passé. I mean, why choose plain old boring soil when you can maximize your gains with other alternatives. Right? Coco Coir is one of the perfect alternate options for growing mediums! And you want to know how to seek for the best Coco Coir!
Not only will it hasten the growth of your plants, but it will also increase the yield. Using this is like hitting two birds with one stone.
Coco coir is an inert substrate though. And so, it does not produce its own nutrients. That is why we need to use a nutrient solution to complement its benefits.
Thus, the focus of this article is to help you find the right coco coir nutrient for your cultivars.
We have sorted out the best of the best products worth checking out in the market. Moreover, we will also give out some valuable tips on how to choose your perfect coco coir solution.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Alright! We know you’re busy my friend. If you wish to skip some of the details, feel free to proceed straight through our top picks!
Our overall top pick:
1st Runner-up:
Bloom City Professional Grade Ultra Pure Cal-Mag Growing Fertilizer
2nd Runner-up:
Advanced Nutrients Big Bud Coco
Best Coco Coir Nutrients
1. Canna Coco A & B
Canna was among the first in the market to manufacture fertilizer for coco-substrates. Their years of research and development created a 2-part fast-acting nutrient solution. Thus, rendering immediate benefits to your cultivars as well.
This is an all-in-one solution suitable to use for growing and flowering your plants. It is no longer necessary to switch to a different fertilizer on its every stage of growth.
If ever you’re wondering why this fertilizer comes in two parts, here’s the reason why.
Minerals such as Calcium and Phosphates are essential components to plant growth. But, you need high doses of each to achieve optimal effects. Because of such high amounts, it becomes unstable when the two are being combined. It tends to get an unfavorable slimy residue.
With that adverse reaction, it is rather best to separate the components. Once ready for use, mix both solutions in a bucket of water to dissolve the nutrients. Make sure to pour component A first then followed by B.
To further add, the fertilizer solution also contains other vital components. Elements such as chelates, humours, and fulvic acids are being added to the mixture. This aids in the effective absorption of nutrients.
Canna Coco A & B is also cost-efficient to use. You would only need about 3 ml of fertilizer per gallon of water. That may sound stingy, but hey a little goes a long way! That’s how potent this elixir is.
Things to concern:
The only complaint I get from the Canna Coco combo is its poor packaging. It’s good though that they provided a double-neck bottle for each component. But, they somehow failed to secure tight closure of the screw cap. Thus, several customers reported a leaky bottle that ended up wasting the product.
Magic Line:
A smart fertilizer for professional and newbie growers.
Features:
- Coco A (NPK ratio 4-0-1)
- Coco B (NPK ratio 0-4-2)
- Also contains natural chelates, humours, and fulvic acids
- Formulated for coco substrate use
- Suitable for drain-to-waste cultivation
- Immediate results
- Available in a 1-liter bottle
2. Bloom City Professional Grade Ultra Pure Cal-Mag Growing Fertilizer
This Cal-Mag fertilizer is an all-around nutrient solution. It is safe to feed on different kinds of plants and supplement nutrients in growing mediums. Moreover, it is also suitable to use on all types of nutrient systems. In fact, it can even help to improve the bioavailability of other minerals.
Don’t get fooled by its name!
This fertilizer contains more micronutrients than other leading brands. Cal-Ma is not only limited to providing micro-chelated calcium and magnesium. It also includes iron, zinc, copper, boron, sulfur, manganese, and molybdenum. All elements complement each other to promote better absorption and prevent nutrient deficiencies.
Cal-Mag is a budget-friendly nutrient solution. You only need 2 to 5 milliliters of fertilizer for every gallon of water. So, if you bought a 1-gallon product, you are likely to produce about 750 gallons of feedwater mixture. That’s a lot of feedwater for your cultivars!
This fertilizer is not only perfect for your plants, but for the environment as well. This product does not contain harmful Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or EDTA in short. Cal-Mag only uses organic chelates and high-quality ingredients. Thus, you can guarantee its safety.
Things to concern:
There were no significant drawbacks to Cal-Mag fertilizer. Growers seem to love this product a lot.
Magic Line:
Effective and very versatile.
Features:
- Bioactivated formula
- NPK ratio 2-0-0
- Contains calcium and magnesium micro-chelated with fulvic acid
- Also contains iron, zinc, copper, boron, sulfur, manganese, and molybdenum
- Suitable to use on hydroponic and soil cultivation
- Suitable to use on all types of growing mediums
- Contains no EDTA
- Available in 1 quart, 1 gallon, 2.5 gallons, and 5 gallons
3. Advanced Nutrients Big Bud Coco | Best Coco Coir
The “Big Bud” Coco is being named for a particular reason. It is a bloom-boosting fertilizer that promises to develop bigger and thicker buds. Moreover, it is also likely to improve the aroma and production of essential oils. In short, it promises to make your harvest tastier, bulkier, and heavier in weight.
Say bye-bye to nutrient deficiencies!
This fertilizer provides optimal doses of phosphorus and potassium. Aside from that, it also includes chelated forms of iron, calcium, and magnesium. These nutrients then bind with metal ions to make it much easier to penetrate and get absorbed.
This nutrient solution is specially formulated for coco coir growing mediums. But it is a good thing though that Big Bud Coco does not limit its versatility. It works as well on other systems like aeroponics, drip irrigation, flood and drain, DWC, and NFT. To add, it is also applicable to use on your typical soil medium.
Things to concern:
Big Bud Coco is not the cheapest in the market. But hey, if it promises to deliver bigger, tastier, and heavier buds, then wouldn’t it be worth it to spend a little extra?
Magic Line:
Bigger buds mean bigger yield.
Features:
- Suitable to use during the blooming stage
- Formulated for coco coir substrate use
- Applicable in soil and hydroponic cultivation
- Applicable to use in other continuous liquid-feed systems
- Available in 0.25, 0.5, 1, 4, 10, and 23 liters
4. Advanced Nutrient pH Perfect Sensi Bloom Coco Part A+B
This 2-part combo is specially formulated for coco coir growing medium.
By nature, coco coir has a strong affinity to certain organic compounds. In particular, it acts like a magnet to calcium and magnesium. Thus, this material tends to suck these elements leaving the plant all starved up.
To solve this dilemma, Sensi Bloom incorporated a non-ionic surfactant called “Wet Betty“. This works by reducing the surface tension of the nutrient-rich liquid. In effect, it makes the distribution and nutrient uptake more effective. Thus, feeding your plants with its much-needed calcium and magnesium.
Sensi Bloom is also developed with a patented pH technology. No more constant checking and troublesome adjustments. So long as you use this solution, it is a guarantee that your medium’s pH level will remain within the perfect range. You can now finally bid goodbye to your pH meters. It is another problem solved!
Things to concern:
Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect Sensi Bloom combo set tends to be on the pricier side. Yes, you might shell out a few more bucks with this product. But its specialized formulation for coco coir will ensure good quality results.
Magic Line:
Target-specific and worry-free pH regulation.
Features:
- 2-part combo set
- pH technology
- Reduces surface tension
- Promotes the absorption of Calcium and Magnesium
- Prevents Potassium toxicity
- Available in 0.5, 1, and 4-liter sizes
5. General Hydroponics FloraGro FloraBloom FloraMicro Combo Fertilizer Set
GH’s Flora series is one of the most trusted fertilizers in the market. It is the building block of an optimal nutrient system. It contains the primary, secondary, and essential micronutrients that develop high-quality yields.
The set comes in 3 different components. The FloraGro stimulates the structural growth and root system of the plants. Then, the FloraBloom stimulates the development of flowers and fruits. Last but not the least, FloraMicro supplements the most essential nutrients. This well includes nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and trace elements.
These purified concentrates come in separate packaging. Thus, giving the grower full control over the mixture. So, you can adjust the ratio according to the specific needs of your cultivars.
The GH Flora trio also helps to manage the pH levels. So, that is one less thing to worry about when using this fertilizer set.
Things to concern:
The recommended dosage for this fertilizer is a bit higher than what you may need in actuality. So, make sure to do some trial and error first to get the perfect mixture. Some growers, though, suggest using one-third only of what was being recommended in the packaging.
Magic Line:
A reliable and flexible fertilizer.
Features:
- Trio combo set
- FloraGro (NPK ratio 2-1-6)
- FloraBloom (NPK ratio 0-5-4)
- FloraMicro (NPK ratio 5-0-1)
- Applicable to use in hydroponic and soil cultivation
- pH balanced
- Available in 1 pint, 1 quart, 1 gallon, 2.5 gallons, and 6 gallons
Tips To Ponder On Best Coco Coir
1. What are the best nutrients solution for coco coir?
To make things easier, it is best to stick to fertilizers especially made for coco coir.
Although you should know that coco coir responds well to both mineral and organic nutrients. In mineral nutrients, though, the plants have a higher tendency to grow bigger and faster. While organic nutrients rather have a much slower growth pace.
What you should always remember is to look for products that are rich in micronutrients. The more, the better! Because the coco coir is an inert substrate, it does not have any nutrients on its own. Thus, this medium relies on these fertilizers to provide the nourishment it needs.
2. What is the optimal NPK ratio for best coco coir?
NPK stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. These 3 elements are vital for the plant’s health and development. The perfect ratio though varies depending on the stage of growth.
What is important to look out for is its Nitrogen level. For the vegetative phase, make sure Nitrogen is high. The opposite applies though for the flowering phase. When trying to bloom, the Nitrogen should be low.
Meanwhile, the Phosphorus and Potassium levels should maintain a medium to high dose. This is applicable to both the vegging and blooming stages.
3. What are other important nutrients best for your coco coir?
Aside from the basic NPK, it is also ideal to have calcium, magnesium, iron, and sulfur in your fertilizer.
It is also good to have boron, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. Although these micronutrients are optional and not compulsory to include.
4. What is the optimal pH for your coco coir?
The ideal pH in coco coir differs depending on the plant’s current stage of growth. For the vegetative phase, a pH of 5.5 to 5.8 is more apt for growing. Meanwhile, a higher pH between 6.0 to 6.3 is more suitable for the flowering phase.
Maintaining the right pH level is very important when growing in coco coir. That is because pH has the tendency to alter the chemical composition of the compounds. The acidity and alkalinity of the medium affect plant’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Wrapping-up:
Coco coir is a great growing medium alternative for your cultivars, but you may need to pair them up with a good nutrient solution for you to maximize its full benefits. With the right combo, however, you are sure to grow healthier and heavier yields. It is definitely a goal every grower wishes to achieve!
We hope that the products we presented herewith will help you have a great start with your coco coir. Moreover, be mindful of the valuable tips we discussed. They cover the basics a coco coir grower should know about.
In this handy article, we’ve discussed all the handy dandy top tips you’ll need to pick the best cultivators from the coco coir product line, as well as the ins and outs about each specific article. Like what you see? Let us know if these products work for your gardening needs in the comment section below.
