Coir a by-product of the coconut industry. It is the fibrous coconut husks. All Coco & Coir products are 100% peat free, made from only coir with just added nutrients or perlite, depending on the product.
Please refer to the individual product categories as the answer depends on the product and size.
Thanks to our close connection and association with our producers, we know we have some of the best quality coir available. It is triple washed to remove salts and other impurities.
Our coir comes from India. Thanks to our close connection and association with our producers, we know we have some of the best quality coir available. Achieving consistent quality is built into the production process. Right from the start, from choosing quality dried husks, to fresh water rinsing and cleaning, to the final fumigation process, every step in the production process is carried out to set standards. Southern Trident holds a ISO9001 Quality Management accreditation.
Coir is just the base material of our composts, so it can’t be compared to a multi-purpose compost, which has several base materials/constituents. Our coir composts have gone through independent testing by the UK’s premier horticultural trialling company, and came out better than other peat-free composts and just as good as peat-based ones.
“Our coir helps improve the growing conditions for plants. Its open texture provides the perfect balance of aeration, drainage and water retention. It encourages beneficial microbes, that help plants grow, and is pH and nutrient balanced.
It is 100% organic, naturally biodegradable, environmentally-friendly and sustainable. It is the perfect alternative to peat, and other peat substitutes, especially as it lasts three times longer in use.”
“It depends on the size of the block and whether it has been fully expanded. However for Grow, Grow+ and Boost:
5kg makes 75L coir compost
1kg makes 15L coir compost
650g makes 9L coir compost”
Our Coco Coir is made from 100% coconut husks, which is the bi-product of the coconut growing industry. It is 100% organic, naturally biodegradable, environmentally-friendly and sustainable. It is the perfect alternative to peat, and other peat substitutes, especially as it lasts three times longer in use. It is used as a potting compost, for seed sowing and taking plant cuttings, improving soil structure, and as a planting compost.
You can use Coco Grow for sowing seeds in, but you will get even better results using Coco Grow+. The additional 20% perlite holds more warmth around the seeds, improves compost aeration and results in even better root growth.
You don’t need to add anything initially when potting up or planting out, but because Coco Grow and Coco Grow+ don’t contain any plant nutrients, you will need to add a fertiliser when the plants are actively growing; for the vast majority of plants this is from early spring to early autumn. Coco Grow Boost does contain a N:P:K fertiliser that lasts for up to six months. You will need to add plant nutrients and feed after this time.
Three of our products – Coco Grow, Coco Grow+ and Coco Boost – are perfect for potting up and repotting houseplants. Coco Boost is the best option as it contains added nutrients, unless the plants need better drainage, in which case use Coco Grow+.
The main ingredient in all our products is coir – a by-product of the coconut industry. All our packaging is FSC-approved and fully biodegradable &/or recyclable.
No we don’t sell one – as our composts don’t need one.
We presume you are referring to Coco Grow+. In which case, this is the added perlite, which helps to improve seed-sowing and aeration conditions.
Apart from being 100% peat free, the coir it contains provides excellent water-holding ability and a sufficient mix of fine and coarse fibres to hold air in its pore spaces, ensuring good drainage and strong root growth.
That depends on where you are growing your crops. In the ground, use Coco Grow to improve the soil structure, but in containers, use Coco Boost.
As the young seedlings need little or nothing in the way of nutrients, we recommend using Coco Grow.
We would recommend using two parts Coco Grow to one part sharp sand.
We would recommend using one part Coco Boost to one part sharp sand.
We would recommend using Coco Grow.
Because it contains a six-month controlled-release fertiliser, we would recommend using Coco Grow+.
As the seeds and young seedlings need little or nothing in the way of nutrients, we recommend using Coco Grow.
The best product for potting up or re-potting houseplants is Coco Boost.
Coco Grow and Coco Grow+ contain no plant nutrients, so if you use these ones you will need to feed from the start. Whereas Coco Grow Boost contains a controlled-release fertiliser that feeds for up to six months.
Yes! None of our products contain any animal products.
Our Coco Coir helps improve the growing conditions. Its open texture provides the perfect balance of aeration, drainage and water retention. It encourages beneficial soil microbes, and is pH and nutrient balanced.
This depends on the conditions your coir is being kept in. Factors like temperature and hours of sunlight exposure will change this. We recommend checking your plants regularly to ensure they are not drying out.
Yes – our coir can be used both indoors for houseplants and microgreens, and outdoors for your gardens and allotments.
Our coir composts have a fine texture when expanded. Our coir composts are not gritty, they are fluffy and soft with plenty of structure to keep your plants secure. By comparison, our Coco Chip coir mulch has larger pieces of coir in its texture.
Before breaking down your coir compost you can drain out some of the water if you need to. Different purposes and needs require different levels of moisture, so although guidelines are given you can decide how wet you would like your compost!
It depends on the type of plant, its size and weather conditions. You might want to refer to our garden blog
There a range of plant foods which cater to specific types of plants. If you need a coir compost with nutrients we recommend our Coco Boost product which contains a slow release fertiliser.
Depending on what you want to use our products for, we don’t recommend mixing it with any other materials. If you are using it for a planting medium when planting in the ground, it doesn’t matter what ratio you use.
Yes, our coir composts are perfect for making compost blocks.
Yes, our coir compost will expand regardless of the temperature, but it takes longer in cold water. The time guidelines are based on warm water, but of course this varies.
If you only need a small amount of compost, and don’t want to rehydrate the whole block, we recommend cutting it into sections using a sharp, serrated knife, such as an old bread knife, or a saw or jigsaw – just be mindful of any dust, so wear a mask. As the block is produced in layers, it is often easier to break from the short side.
Our Coco Coir has a more-or-less indefinite “shelf life” once it has been wetted, but it would be best to use it within three to four months. If you only need a small amount, it would be better to cut off just what you need from the dry, compressed brick.
Yes, our coir composts are perfect for adding to soil for filling raised beds. Depending on the soil, we would recommend mixing it with two parts soil, if the soil is good, or in equal parts if the soil is not good quality.
We recommend using our coir composts on their own. But you can mix them with other composts if you wish. Coco Grow and Coco Grow+ don’t contain any nutrients, whereas Coco Boost contains a six-month controlled-release fertiliser.
Yes, it is suitable for producing mushroom crops.
Our composts are free from any microorganisms – both beneficial and harmful.
There are numerous microorganisms all around us, and some have a positive effect on plant growth and others have a negative impact.
It is perfect for all reptile bedding, arachnids, snails, rat dig boxes, as well as worm bedding and for use in vermiculture.
Coco Grow is perfect for improve clay soil. And, yes, you need to work it into the soil as you would with any soil improver.
The 5Kg brick expands to make 75-litres, and the 1Kg expands to 15-litres. This is enough to fill the following:
SMALL POTS 9cm (3½ inch): 185 from 5Kg, 37 from 1Kg
MEDIUM POTS 15cm (6 inch): 50 from 5Kg, 10 from 1Kg
SEED TRAYS: 21 from 5Kg, 4 from 1Kg.
Coco Grow is best for reptile bedding and vivariums as a substrate as it does not contain any additives unlike Coco Boost, which contains fertiliser and is best suited for growing plants.
Most people either use a saw or jigsaw – just be mindful of any dust, so wear a mask. As the short side of the block has layers it is often easier to break from the short side.
It depends on the size you purchase and temperature of the water used. As a rule of thumb we suggest using warm water a:
75L Coir compost wait 20 mins
15L Coir compost wait 10 mins
9L Coir compost wait 8 mins
As Coco Boost contains a six-month controlled-release fertiliser, it is best used in the same way as any “multi-purpose” compost for growing mature plants in containers.
From your description, this sounds like the added fertiliser.
Coco Boost is perfect for all containers, including hanging baskets and window boxes. It is suitable for all outdoor plants, as well as houseplants, except for ericaceous or lime-hating plants.
Nutrient take-up and use depends on the plants in question as well as weather and climate conditions. But, they should last for up to six months. After this time, you will need to start supplementary feeding.
This is the added NPK slow-release fertiliser.
Coco Grow and Grow+ are ideal growing media for seed sowing and germinating seeds. As they do not contain nutrients, they rely on the nutrients within the seed and require feeding after that point.
Coco Grow is 100% coir, whereas Coco Grow+ contains 20% perlite, which helps improve the aeration needed for most seeds.
The perlite in Coco Grow+ provides better drainage, as well as holding warmth in the compost, which makes it the better choise for seed sowing.
All types of plants, especially if you add a liquid feed to suit the type of plant you are growing.
Trichoderma is not naturally occurring, but introduced by the substrate manufacturers to introduce specific requirements. And there are many strains in the Trichoderma family, some of which are stronger than others. Coco & Coir does not add anything to Coco Grow, keeping a neutral growing media suitable for a range of uses including growing mushrooms.
‘Inoculated’ substrates, use of strong chemicals and even boiling water is not recommended as it would kill the beneficial microbe colonies.
Seeds and very young seedlings dont need additional nutrients, but older plants will need feeding from the start.
Coco Grow is an excellent mulching material where you need a combined mulch and soil improver – such as in heavy clay soils or light sandy soils. If you only want a mulch, then we recommend using Coco Chip.
Coco Grow and Grow+ tends to be too fine for orchids. We recommend using Coco Chip instead, which is ideal for orchid plants.
All plants growing in containers (including indoor plants) need a regular supply of nutrients to ensure strong, healthy growth and lots of flowers. Coco Grow and Coco Grow+ don’t contain any supplementary nutrients, so you will need to add these by applying a fertiliser while the plants are actively growing; for the vast majority of plants this is from early spring to early autumn. For seedlings and young plants, you should start feeding from two weeks after they have been transferred into Coco Grow+ or use a liquid fertiliser at half the recommended dilution rate.
You can either use a liquid feed every couple of weeks during the growing seasons or a granular feed less frequently; follow the instructions on the fertiliser container for frequency and amount.
Yes, it’s the perfect soil improver. Its open texture helps to break up heavy clay soils and it improves water and nutrient retention in light, sandy soils. It also encourages beneficial soil microorganisms, essential for healthy plant growth.
All plants growing in containers (including indoor plants) need a regular supply of nutrients to ensure strong, healthy growth and lots of flowers. Coco Grow doesn’t contain any supplementary nutrients, so you will need to add these by applying a fertiliser while the plants are actively growing; for the vast majority of plants this is from early spring to early autumn.
You can either use a liquid feed every couple of weeks during the growing seasons or a granular feed less frequently; follow the instructions on the fertiliser container for frequency and amount.
Coco Grow tends to be too fine grade to give really good results with most orchids. Coco Chip is a much better product for orchid growing, potting up and repotting.
Yes, it’s perfect for sowing all seeds – including small seeds – as well as rooting cuttings. It can also be used to pot up young seedlings and rooted cuttings and for growing them on; you will need to start feeding the young plants at this stage. It promotes fast seed germination, and its excellent aeration, drainage and moisture retention promote strong root growth.
The white powder you see in your coir is the added perlite!
We recommend standing them in plant trays or saucers, which are then half-filled with tepid water. If they use all the water, add some more until they are fully expanded. Then remove them from the water and allow to stand for 10 minutes to allow excess water to drain away before using them
Coco Dots are free from nutrients and additives. As seeds contain their own nutrients you should not need anything else to use for seeding before potting on
Depending on the needs of the seed you may need to make a hole. Please refer to the seed packet to follow the usage guidelines for the plant you plan to grow
Like other growing pellets, the coir is held together and maintains it’s excellent plug plant structure with a super-thin layer of LDPE mesh. This rots into the soil quickly, but is not currently biodegrade. We are working hard to produce a biodegradable mesh.
You do not need to keep the netting on. It can be cut off once the root system has established. Most people leave it in place to maintain the shape of the plug, making it easier to use and plant directly into soil.
Once the plants have started to produce roots, you should start feeding with a liquid fertiliser at half the recommended dilution rate for the first three to four weeks.
It is far better to use them as soon as they have been hydrated. Try and only hydrate as many as you need. It doesn’t take long to hydrate more, if you initially do too few.
When used as a 5-7.5cm (2-3in) thick mulch, it will, like any other mulching material, prevent seeds in the soil from germinating. No mulch will prevent perennial weeds from growing.
A mulch is an organic soil covering which, as long as it is put on deep enough (5-7.5cm/2-3in thick), serves many purposes: it prevents weed seeds in the soil germinating, it reduces soil mositure loss in summer so soils don’t dry out as quickly and it helps protect the roots from frost and cold temperatures in winter and from sun scorch in summer. A mulch can also be applied to the top of compost in containers.
A mulch needs to be a minimum of 5-7.5cm (2-3in) thick to be fully effective. Any lower than this and it won’t be effective.
The size of Coco Chip is much smaller than some of the bark chip mulches available.
It will break down over time, and need topping up. But this is good, as it adds vital organic matter to the soil. As soon as it has rehydrated, it’s ready to go and applied to the soil.
Yes, Coco Chip can be used to mulch around all plants, including rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and other ericaceous, acid-loving plants, as well as fruit and vegetables. You can also use it as a mulch applied to the top of compost in containers.
A Coco Chip mulch provides numerous benefits when used as a soil covering, or mulch.
It produces a very attractive decorative finish to beds and borders, as well as pots and other containers. When spread thickly enough it reduces evaporation and water loss, suppress weed growth and deters slugs and snails. It insulates the soil and protects plant roots from extremes of temperatures, so it is very useful for tender plants in winter and shallow-rooted plants, such as camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons and hydrangeas, in summer.
As it slowly breaks down it will steadily improve soil structure.
For best results, spread a 5-7.5cm (2-3in) deep layer over the soil in beds and borders. Use a 2.5-5cm (1-2in) deep covering in pots and other containers. To protect plants against cold and frost damage, you may need to increase the depth to 7.5-10cm (3-4in).
All our packaging is FSC-approved and fully biodegradable &/or recyclable.
The coir used in our composts is 100% plant based – it is the bi-product of the cocnut industry. All products in our range have Soil Association Approved accreditation, which means our coir can be used for organic gardening.
Coir compost certainly can be reused and recycled. Coco Grow is a nutrient free coir substrate and therefore as long as you remove weeds, roots and debris it will continue serving as a growing media.
Coco Boost can also be reused or recycled but has added fertiliser, which lasts for 6 months and therefore if reused you cannot be sure the amount of nutrients remaining.
