Coconut Coir Potting Mix Recipe - Coco Coir, Compost, Perlite or Vermiculite 

Buy coco coir here: amzn.to/16ino3a

How much rock dust? In addition, people should be warned against breathing in rock dust. Rock dust is very fine and gets airborne easily and can cause incurable lung disease faster than smoking cigarettes!

If you add boiling water it will expand much faster plus make sure it really is sterilized.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrick. Love the accent and the video!

Hi! Here in Germany I prepare coco coir with water to which I add liquid fertilizer (organic of course). My potting mix is this: compost, worm castings, coco coir + granular clay instead of perlite for drainage and aeration. This mix works fine for heavy feeders like tropical hibiscus, roses, oleander, citrus plants.

Be careful adding vermiculite perlite helps at aeration vermiculite helps water retention meaning the more vermiculite you have the more water your pot will hold the more perlite you have the more oxygen inside your pot and easier draining so this is very bad information for saying you can substitute vermiculite

Hi. If I store the wet coco peat, will it produce molds on it? If yes, how can I prevent that? Thank you.

One thing that I do, is add the liquid fertilizer to the water that expands the coir block. That way it is in the coir as you mix your potting mix.

Coconut coir contains more than just potassium, it's also full of sodium (salt). It's important to not only soak the coconut coir, but also to rinse it thoroughly to remove the salts as well as the dusty coco peat that soaks up moisture and doesn't allow proper drainage. Another important factor is properly buffering the coconut coir with calcium and magnesium. There are cation exchange sites in coco that will interfere with nutrition until they are buffered. The cation exchange sites in coco naturally come loaded with sodium (Na) and potassium (K) cations. However, the Na and the K are only weakly held to the exchange sites. In the presence of calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg), the sites will release their Na or K cations and lock onto the Ca or Mg. These processes are known as “cation exchanges”. Also, vermiculite and perlite aren't the same thing. Vermiculite holds on to moisture like a sponge, perlite just creates air pockets and improves drainage. I had to learn that one the hard way.

I have to let everyone here know. I started growing microgreens this year for market. I helped my 9yr old to do his science fair project to find which growing medium would work best... we used peat, cocoa coir, compost, and an equal parts al 3 mix. The coco choir was by far the best with both raddish and green peas.

1:02 “Let the Brrrrick absorb all the water” 😂 Thanks for the info, this video helped a ton.

rinse the coco coir to rinse out salt which will kill your plants.

on the first place i though we need to use hamer to break the coconut coir lol

I use this mix for nearly everything I have planted. All are growing perfectly!!

if you use coir, you need to understand a number of plants don’t do well with the higher potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and chlorine. These unbalances cause lockout of other nutrients and may require high amounts of calcium and magnesium to balance the nutrients. The issue is unless you buy the much more expensive processed coir that states it is buffered, you may not know until your plants do poorly. It is well know that the build-up of fertilizer salts are an enemy to plant roots. Coconuts grow in high salt areas along the ocean, and because there is an abundance of salt water, many sources use it instead of fresh water to leech the coir when processing. Some may not leech at all or only 1-2 times - you just don’t know. Everyone thinks oh coir is a natural by product, a waste product and it is but it takes a lot of natural resources such as precious fresh water to process it so most plants will grow in it. But if one brand of coir is way cheaper than others, stay away from it and try a more expensive brand that mentions triple washing with freshwater, buffering, etc. If your potting media is already naturally high in salts, to me you are always fighting an uphill battle. Coco often has a CEC in the range of 90-100 meq/100 g of media. The CEC of coco is naturally loaded with potassium (K) and sodium (Na), with little or no calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg). These are the four cations that are most important when buffering coco. The loss of the Ca and Mg is one thing, but you also get an increase of K and Na. High levels of K (potassium) will hinder the uptake of Mg by plants. Sodium can negatively impact plant health even at low levels and is toxic to some plants starting at 50 ppm. Growing in coir requires the use of specialized nutrients, unless already buffered when you buy, you will be feeding more calcium and magnesium. Even if buffered as to not lock out some nutrients and be too much of others - this will change and your nutrient and methods will need to be adjusted. You can’t just expect to use coir the same as peat or bark. If I’m growing something that is partial to coir I always soak 24-48 hours in fresh water, rinse and rewash the coir a couple of times until salt levels are reduced to almost nothing - but is a pain. Most studies I have read do not recommend growing strictly in coir but to use a blend of peat along with other ingredients. Compost is not enough to buffer and perlite and vermiculite add drainage but also hold water. Perlite can hold up to 8% of its dry volume in water or nutrient so,utions. See Perlite Institute. See this article on the chemistry of coir - www.maximumyield.com/the-chemistry-of-coco-coir/2/2678 . Just remember, unlike in-ground growing, growing in soil-less mixes (in raised beds or containers) means you must add everything - NPK, minerals such as calcium, magnesium and sulfur, trace minerals. This includes keeping the ph correct as fertilizer and water sources play as big a part in ph as does the media. And even if added in the beginning, most will be needed again in a few months because watering will leach it through high drainage media. And most important...keep in mind you can add all the microbes and bio- this or that you want, but if you use chemicals that kill them - what’s the point. Research before you use any chemical, one for toxicity to bees, birds, fish and also microbes.

I did a mix of 1:1 coco coir and perlite, and a small handful of worm casting. it turned into a think sludge that held water and nearly killed my plants

I live in India and and I got the same size coconut coir brick for rs.125 or 1.87$.....its very cheap here..

I am looking to use this for succulents. What’s your opinion?

So trouble why u dont add more water in the first drop

Yo, that montage song is LIT. What is the name? Great video, vibbed hard during the rehydration scene but overall a lot of great information! In case anyone is wondering between the difference of Perlite and Vermiculite. Vermiculite will mix with soil and help it retain water while perlite will add drainage to the soil when mixed.

I've been playing with soil and coco coir this year and somehow I think you don't really need perlite. Coco does not compress from watering, it stays fairly loose giving a lot of oxygen to your roots and even tho it can take a lot of water in, it does drain extremely well after it's full. It never stays soaked long if your pot has holes. What seemed to work well for me was actually just use potting soil with Coco fiber 50/50 and the Coco replaces the perlite. For some plants like orchids you can also wash the Coco to remove most of the fine parts, which creates an even looser substrate. Pure coco does work, but needs constant fertilization, which can be a bit too much work for some, it's called "fertigation", you fertilize with every irrigation, ideally until water comes out in the bottom (to prevent build up). The results I've seen with Coco have been impressive so far. Plants grow much faster than in pure soil and the more coco, the faster they grow (but the more work).

One thing that is nice about coir is that if it gets dried out, it absorbs water rapidly, Dry peat repels water. This is important when growing xerophytic plants like cacti and succulents. When watering such plants grown in peat, the water runs across the top of the soil, down the sides and out the drainage holes leaving the bulk of the soil ball bone dry. Another point: don't use either vermiculite or perlite. Use both perlite and vermiculite. Mix them about half and half. These are two different products and each adds qualities that enhance the other to the benefit of your plants.

Coco coir is used for water retention and perlite is usen to make high draning soil. So using both at the same time will not be contradictory?

4:47 for the potting mix recipe

Very informative video Nice sharing Stay tuned friend

For people who don't have perlite or vermiculite ,use coarse sand it can provide the needed aeration and drainage.

Salam kenal kami produksi cocofeat dan cocofeat from indonesia

I have fertilizer ( Espoma Organic Garden Tone Herb and Vegetable Food) and organic garden lime ( Espoma). What would be the recipe? Would it be 1/3 Coco Coir, 1/3 fertilzer, and 1/3 compost? Where does the garden lime come into play - or does it not at all? Question on fertilizer - in the directions on the bag it says to mix 9 cups per 50 square feet. How much soil is 50 sq ft? Thanks!

Porring mix 😂 I'm only laughing cause I'm Indian, it's allowed 😒

Br-rr-rick ! ❤️ Thank you for the video

This video was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

I like his voice. RRRRRRR

Doesn’t the coco coir needs to be buffered with calmag? Coco coir contain lots of salt and if not buffered will release it over time and will cause a salt build up in your grow pot. 2ml of calmag for every one gallon of water use to soak the coco coir. Somebody please let me know if I’m wrong.

what is the difference between coconut coir and coconut peat? what is the best for seed coconut peat or peatmoss?

you roll your D's. I like it. Perlite is also a non-renewable resource. Use sharp sand.

Except you didn't buffer/rinse/ph your coco? You have to wash all the excess salts out of it, our it will burn the shit out of your plants. This is definitely not the video to follow when it comes to using coco.

I have lots of coconuts how do they grind it up where do I get the machine please

I LOVE THE WAY YOU ROOOOLLLLLL YOUR R's!!!!!!!!!

Will this work for tomato plants?

That stuff is really nice. I subbed your channel and will be following your garden as I tend to my gardens and greenhouse! Chuck

can I use vermicast instead of compost?

always amazes me how each time I watch your videos on gardening I learn something new. Thank you

My brother just used these on my Vegetable plants, will see how good this will be for my plants!🤞🏼🤞🏼

I like your accent and love the way you say "brick" and "potassium".

If it isn't prewashed that media isn't ready for some plant types. It shouldn't leach any color out when it's ready for those other types.

Great video. I added some Worm castings to the mix & Jobe's Organic Vegetable & Tomato slow release fertilizer. The Chili peppers love it.

Please remember that the water should be warm as oppose to cold to absorb faster into the coco coir.

Hello, I used your method of making potting mix. I think it is perfect. The only problem I am having is after watering it if I check it with moisture meter, it shows me very low water content. Would that be okay? Have you tried checking moisture content after watering?? Please advise..

You can same 5kg block at 1.4 dollar in India easily in local market not online

Can you grow plants in just the Coco coir ? (Only) I'm new at this.

I am a beginner in gardening so have few doubts. Should the potting mix be different for germinating seeds n growing plants? What would be best to grow carrots, ginger n lemons?

What about peat moss vs. coco coir?

I watched in 1.5x speed

Is store bought coco coir composted already

I used about half and half of Coconut Coir and an organic manure plus compost. At least I did for a decent amount of my buckets and pots. In some cases I mixed in other things, but I can't remember. This is my first year taking gardening seriously, though I failed to record what I did in each container. All I can say for sure is that it is all organic based, no Miracle Gro. At the end of the season I'm probably going to recycle my potting soils by mixing them all together, add a mushroom compost and more Coconut coir. I'll call it my Square One initiative. Also I love the rrrr sound.

Coco peat for tarantula

Great tutorials on gardening!! Do you happen to have any links to purchase perlite and compost?

What's Rob dust? A friend? Seriously, what is the white substance??

Can I mix this with normal soil and Perlite and then use it for all my houseplants?

Coir has become one of the most favoured ingredient in all potting soil and substrate mixes due to its unique properties and plays an important role in reducing and replacing peat in the mixes...

Its jst doubld in price in some stores

I like the wagon shure looks like right tool for that job

If I'm adding Dr Earth Premium Gold All Purpose Fertilizer to the Coir, compost and vermiculite. What should the percentages be for each ingredient with this combination? THanks!

Would this mix be ok if i was making a closed terrarium? Very good video and easy to follow. Thanks

I know you posted this some time ago, but I just had to add in my 'Thank You' for your video. Your recipe is simple, efficient, and just an all around good general base for planting! Plus - you taught me something about Spinach sprouts, - I didn't realize you could segregate and bare root plant them so easily. Thank you - two for the price of punching a couple of keys!

I mix 25% homemade compost, 25% perlite, 25% Coconut coir and 25% Sharp sand or builders Sand, then add Chicken Manure for seedling, I feed liquid from my wormery and sometime Comfrey & Nettle Liquid to my vegetables.

Tyfs❤😁👏🏾

Worm castings for fertilizer

*I am using a Bio-manure in Hemp Farming, having following ingredients and am getting bumper yield and wonderful results every time:* *1.* Cocopeat: 60% *2.* Azadirachta Indica cake: 10% *3.* Castor cake: 10% *4.* Bio-consortium: 10% . (N,P,K fixer bacterias) *5.* Vermi-compost: 10% I am ready to tell you its source of availability in the best interest of mankind.

Sangat bermanfaat informasi jadi pengen menanam bunga trus

cocopeat or coconut coir?

I use coco coir for pretty much everything my mix is usually 1/2 coco coir 1/4 earth worm castings and 1/8 perlite I also mix in 4,4,4 all purpose Gaia green fertilizer and 2,8,4 bloom from Gaia green.

Doesn't compost have nutrients ?

Thank you for an episode on soil mixes...we use this same coir mix in our raised beds with much moisture retention success (the vermiculite/biochar option tends not to float like perlite ;-). We are getting great looking eggplants now with this mix...and by watching your profile series!

Brrrrrrrotherrrrrr.. yourrrrr english is superrrrrrr...

Good presentation. You almost said it... but to clarify, coconut coir is a true renewable and manageable resource. That is a major benefit. It is a forest product. It grows. When you use it, more can be grown. In fact, I would think it consumes far less energy during production and shipping than peat products.

Very nice video. Thank you for sharing.

This was extremely enjoyable and helpful to me!!! Thank you

I wasn't sure what to get, so I just filled 2 new small raised beds with an ' organic plus raised bed & potting mix' Kellog bag that I bought from Lowe's. It's ingredients: aged recycled forest products, coir, perlite, dehydr.nchicken manure, composteed chicken manure, peat moss, kelp meal, worm castings, bat guano. It looks really dark, fluffy with flecks of perlite & smells humusy. Sure hope the asparagus crowns & onions grow!

Thanks for excellent presentation on making growing media with coconut coir and organic material. It is available because it is a forest product. The benefits of coconut coir is found in the following sectors: - Nursery seedlings management. - Rooftop gardening - Greenhouse & polly house cultivation. - Commercial seed research farm.

A nice video !! Before big bagging do not you dry it ?? If you wish may skip my questions

I add a liquid fertilizer/fish emulsion mixed in rainwater to the coconut coir block at the very beginning of the process.

Nothing good comes in brick

I dig the funk. Also, the way you say "brick" is awesome.

I have the perlite and coconut coir but I need help getting the compost, what do you recommend me getting

Lot of manufacturing in this product Any chance another country

when it was expanding like that...i got scared that its going to come get me !

Sorry, but I have to correct you on some points... 1) There are 270 Million Acres of peat bogs in Canada alone... Let's not forget Russia that has 3 times as much and other countries... Out of the 270 Million Acres, in Canada, only 40,000 acres is harvested... That's 1 acre for every 6000, available. Peat moss is a living resource. The peat bogs grow 70% more peat moss each year than is harvested. It too is a renewable resource... It is NOT a Non-renewable resource... 2) Peat Moss does not block the uptake of Calcium. The Potassium in Coir require supplementing and don't forget to wash Coir to remove excess Salt... Of course Peat moss can be on the acidic side, but adjusting the pH is more simple than removing excess Salt... and still having to supplement calcium, with Coir... Over all, both have their pros and cons, but Peat Moss comes out slightly on top... For me, on a scale of 10, Peat Moss gets a 10, where Coir gets 9.5... They both hold moisture equally well, but there is no advantage to using Coir over Peat Moss... 3) Peat Moss sells for a fraction of the price of Coir... That's due to the amount of Processing that Coir goes through, to make it fit for your garden... Peat come straight from the bog to your garden after drying and cutting... and that's it...

pile leaves in the garden go over it with lawn mow to break it pour kitchen garbage of paper napkin animal products in a garbage container with lead and periodically mounting in the garden and cover it with soil or broken leaves. In the Spring you have compost and earth warms for use.

thanks!

THAT'S SOME FUNKY MUSIC!!

also pls make videos on south Indian veggies for us indians..like sambar onions, potatoes that will suit the climatic conditions of southern india

Does coconut coir attract termites? I live in south Florida where termites can really be a problem.

Coco, perlite, sand, top soil, compost. I will try equal parts. Good?

Do you have to rinse the coir to eliminate salt? Coconuts grow near oceans and absorb a lot of salt. Thank you for your answer.

I mixed coco coir with builder's sand (approx. 5:1) for a tropical hibiscus, and it's not doing as fine as it did in a regular mix. It seems to hold to much moisture. Last time I planted it in a cacti/bonsai mix and it grew crazy, lots of leaves & flowers. What can I do/expect?

it's 20 bucks now. *sigh* anyway, thanks for showing us how much it expands! great vid.

sir can you give me some buyers of coconut coir please.

what kind of liquid fert did you use?

I love your rolling R's