Professors Nutrients Coco Coir Chips 50L (Washed & Buffered)

What is Professor’s Nutrients Coco Coir Chips made of?

It’s a 50/50 blend of coco coir and coco chips — designed to hold moisture evenly while staying chunky and free-draining. It’s a soilless, RHP-certified growing medium ideal for plants that crave airflow around their roots.

What types of plants is Coco Coir Chips best for?

It’s great for orchids, aroids (like Monstera, Philodendron, Anthurium), and hoyas. It’s not ideal for succulents or cactus. For seedlings or cuttings, it's best used after rooting, as the texture may be too coarse for germination stages.

Does Professor’s Coco Coir Chips contain nutrients?

No — it’s a nutrient-free medium, so you’ll need a feeding plan. Coco generally benefits from a calcium/magnesium supplement, and coco-specific nutrient lines work best. Organic feeding is possible but requires careful moisture and airflow management.

Do I need to rinse, buffer, or soak Coco Coir Chips before use?

It comes pre-washed and buffered, but pre-soaking before potting is strongly recommended. Use plain water or a light Cal-Mag solution. Even a 10–20 minute soak helps the medium hydrate evenly and reduces water runoff.

How often should I water plants in Coco Coir Chips?

Coco prefers consistent moisture — don’t let it dry out completely. Frequency depends on pot size, plant needs, and environment. Daily watering is common in active growth. For houseplants, adjust to avoid soggy roots or long dry-backs.

Does Coco Coir Chips drain well and resist compaction?

Yes — the chips improve aeration and reduce compaction compared to standard potting mix. It holds moisture without going soggy and helps reduce root rot risk when used in well-draining pots with no added rocks at the base.

Can I mix Coco Coir Chips with other materials?

Yes — it blends well with bark, perlite, scoria, pumice, and compost to create chunkier or longer-lasting mixes. It’s also a great base for custom indoor plant blends where airflow and moisture balance are key.

Does Coco Coir Chips help with fungus gnat problems?

It can help by improving airflow, but gnats will still appear if the surface stays constantly wet. To reduce them, let the top layer dry slightly, bottom-water when possible, and maintain good airflow around pots.

What pH and EC range should I aim for when feeding?

Target a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. A bit of runoff with each feed helps prevent salt buildup. If EC rises too high, flush with pH-balanced water or a mild nutrient solution, then resume feeding at lower strength.

Can I reuse Professor’s Coco Coir Chips?

Yes — if you remove old roots, flush out salts, and re-buffer with a Cal-Mag soak before replanting. Reuse is fine until the structure starts breaking down into fines and drainage slows, then it’s time to refresh.

How should I store unused Coco Coir Chips?

Keep it sealed, clean, and dry — not bone-dry or waterlogged. If it dries out and becomes hard to rewet, soak slowly in stages. It should smell neutral or earthy; sour smells indicate poor storage or overwatering.

Why are my plant leaves clawing or tips burning?

This usually points to overfeeding (high EC), lack of runoff, or pH drift. Letting coco dry out too much and then feeding heavily can also cause salt spikes. Regular runoff and balanced pH help prevent these issues.

What’s the best way to get great results with Coco Coir Chips?

Pre-soak before potting, feed consistently with coco-friendly nutrients, maintain even moisture, avoid extreme dry-backs, and run a bit of runoff to prevent salt buildup. Don’t treat it like soil — coco thrives on routine and balance.