Coco Transplant Day: Fluff, Pre-Wet & EC Targets (5-Minute Guide)

Whether you’re moving from seedling to veg or up-potting a healthy plant, coco performs best when you prep it right. This quick routine cuts shock, stabilizes EC fast, and sets you up for a smooth week 1–2. TL;DR: Fluff → Pre-Wet → EC check → Plant → First runoff (about five minutes per pot).

What you need

• Coco media (washed or buffered) — e.g., LooseFill Coco 50 L (or try the Buffered 70/30 Coco + Perlite).
• Containers — QuickFill® 1 gal or QuickFill® 2 gal for early veg.
• Base nutrients mixed to your veg target EC — FloraFlex® Nutrients (simple 2-part veg, 3-part bloom).
• EC/PPM pen and pH meter
• Catch tray / control zone for consistent runoff readings — Low-Volume Control Zone Kit.
  
  

Step-by-step: 5-minute coco transplant routine

1) Fluff (30–60 sec)

Gently break up the coco by hand to create even pore space. Don’t compress—loose structure improves oxygen at the root zone and reduces channeling.

2) Pre-wet (60–90 sec)

Pre-wet coco before planting using your veg nutrient mix at your starting EC (targets below). Aim for 60–70% container saturation—moist, not water-logged. This prevents dry pockets and helps EC stabilize quickly.

3) EC check (30 sec)

Measure and note your inflow EC. Buffered coco usually reaches target faster than washed coco.

4) Plant (30–60 sec)

Create a well, set the plug/seedling, and lightly backfill without compacting. Firm just enough so the plant stands upright.

5) First watering to runoff (60–90 sec)

Water until you see ~10–15% runoff. This flushes fines and starts the medium at a known baseline. Capture runoff for a quick EC reading.

Target ECs (and what to do if you’re off)

If runoff EC is higher than inflow by ~0.2–0.3, coco is holding salts—increase volume (not strength) and water to 15–20% runoff next event. If runoff EC is lower than inflow by ~0.2, the medium is very fresh—hold strength, maintain even moisture, and let it climb into range.

First runoff: what “good” looks like

• Even color & flow across the pot (no channels)
• Runoff EC close to inflow EC (±0.2–0.3)
• Container feels evenly heavy—no dry corners or soaked bottoms

If you see channeling or uneven runoff, fluff better next time and pre-wet more uniformly. A simple control-zone or catch tray helps standardize readings.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Skipping the pre-wet: leads to dry pockets and unstable EC.
2. Packing coco tight: reduces oxygen and slows rooting.
3. Over-strength first feed: start modest; let plants ask for more.
4. No runoff on day 1: you miss your baseline and leave fines behind.
5. Inconsistent pot sizes: early veg loves 1 gal and 2 gal for predictable moisture and growth rate.

FAQ

Washed vs buffered coco—what’s the difference?
Washed removes excess salts; buffered pre-satisfies exchange sites (often with Ca/Mg) so EC stabilizes faster. If you’re new to coco or want minimal tweaking, buffered is the “easy button.” Try Buffered 70/30 LooseFill.

1 gal or 2 gal for early veg?
Choose 1 gal if you plan to up-pot soon and want quicker dry-backs; choose 2 gal if you’ll veg longer before the next move.