Coco Coir and Hydroponic Cultivation Glossary A Technical Reference for Hydroponic Production in Controlled Environment Agriculture Aeration The presence and movement of air within the substrate root zone. Aeration is governed by air filled porosity and pore structure and is essential for oxygen diffusion to roots. Inadequate aeration leads to reduced root respiration, impaired nutrient uptake, and increased susceptibility to root pathogens. Air Filled...

The physical structure of a substrate determines how water, air, and nutrients move through the root zone. In controlled environment horticulture, this comes down to texture. The balance of particle sizes and fibers that make up the medium dictates porosity, water holding capacity, oxygen availability, and how evenly irrigation is distributed. Coco coir is naturally versatile, but its performance depends on how it is...

"Is your coco already buffered? Is it already charged? And what nutrients should you feed first?” We hear these questions all the time. The good news? Our coco is prepped and ready to go—setting your plants up for strong, healthy growth from day one. Starting with the right foundation makes all the difference, giving your plants the best chance to thrive. First, what do...

In today’s blog post, we will be discussing pros and cons of various growing methods and media types, as they apply to commercial production of high value horticultural crops. Although there are nearly infinite ways to grow plants, we will only focus on the more popular methods that are often employed by large scale operations and methods that are popular in today’s production environments....

pH management in coco coir is easy and straightforward, compared to other growing substrates. Coco coir is naturally pH neutral, and has a similar cation and anion exchange, and will therefore maintain pH without an added buffer, even with strong acidic fertilizer solutions applied. Peat based substrates are naturally acidic and require chemical buffers, such as lime. And in order for those buffers to...