UGro XL Organic 70L – Pressed Coco Substrate Block · OMRI Certified

If you are tired of hauling heavy bags of soil up the stairs or paying a fortune in shipping for substrate, UGro XL Organic 70L is exactly the game-changer you need. This isn't just a block of dirt; it is a premium, dehydrated coco coir brick that transforms into a massive volume of high-quality, OMRI-certified organic substrate, offering your plants the perfect balance of water retention and aeration they need to explode in growth.

Is growing in coco coir complicated? Not if you follow the steps

Many growers hesitate to make the jump to coco because they don't know how to treat it. Do I need to wash it? Is it buffered? How much water do I add? This uncertainty often leads to sticking with traditional soil, even if it means slower growth rates and less control over the plant's nutrition.

The problem is that if you buy low-quality, unbranded coco bricks, you risk introducing massive amounts of sodium to your roots, locking out nutrients and burning your plants before they even start. The feeling of seeing your seedlings turn yellow because of a bad substrate choice is frustrating and expensive.

UGro XL Organic solves this by giving you a standardized, lab-tested product. It comes washed, with low EC (salt levels), and ready to hydrate. By following a simple phase-based process, you can set up a professional-grade medium in minutes, ensuring your cannabis fertilizers work exactly as they should.

Phase 1: Preparing the ground

Before you even open the package, you need to set up your workspace. Remember, this small 5kg brick is going to become 70 liters of material—that is a lot more than it looks. You don't want to start hydrating it in a small bucket and have it overflow onto your floor.

• Container size: Ensure you have a tub or tank that holds at least 80-90 liters to allow for mixing.
• Water source: Prepare about 18 to 20 liters of high-quality water.
• Check pH: Have your PH meters ready; the water used for hydration should ideally be pH adjusted to around 6.0.
• Nutrients: Since this is pure coco, having a CalMag supplement on hand is crucial for the buffering process if you want to be extra safe, although UGro comes ready to use.

Phase 2: Setting up the product

Now comes the magic part. Transforming this compressed brick into a fluffy cloud of roots' paradise is satisfying, but it requires patience to do it right.

1. Place the block: Put the UGro XL Organic brick in your large container.
2. Add water: Pour approximately 18 liters of water over the block. If you can use warm water, it will hydrate faster.
3. Wait: Don't touch it yet. Let it sit for about 10–15 minutes. You will see it swelling up significantly.
4. Break it up: Once it has absorbed most of the water, use your hands or a garden hoe to break up the remaining chunks.
5. Fluff it: Mix it well to introduce air. You should end up with a consistent, dark brown texture.

Phase 3: Use / growing step by step

Once your substrate is ready, the growing game changes. Coco coir is like hydroponics but with the forgiveness of soil.

1. Potting: Fill your pots with the hydrated coco. Don't pack it down too tight; you want to keep that oxygen flow.
2. First watering: Water with a light nutrient solution (rich in Calcium and Magnesium) until you see runoff.
3. Feeding: Unlike soil, coco doesn't hold nutrients for long. You need to feed with every watering or every other watering.
4. Monitoring: Check the EC of the water coming out of the bottom of the pot (runoff). If it's too high, flush with plain pH-balanced water.
5. Wet/Dry cycle: Let the top layer dry out slightly before watering again, but never let the coco bone dry completely like you would with peat moss.
6. Adjusting: If leaves look pale, you might need to up your nutrient dose, as coco is an inert medium.

Phase 4: Closing, maintenance and learnings

After you harvest your massive buds, the job isn't over. One of the best things about high-quality coco like UGro is reusability. If the crop was healthy (no pests or root rot), you can reuse this substrate.

To prepare it for the next cycle, you should flush it thoroughly to remove accumulated salts. Using enzymes like Barakiel Enzyme Mix helps break down the old dead roots, turning them into food for the next batch and keeping the medium airy. Always note down how much water/nutrient solution you used per day to dial in your automated irrigation for the next run.

Advantages of following this flow instead of improvising

• Total Control: You know exactly what is in the medium (no hidden fertilizers).
• Logistical Ease: Carrying 5kg is infinitely easier than carrying 70L bags of soil.
• Root Health: The airy structure prevents overwatering mistakes common in soil.
• Organic Certification: With the OMRI seal, you are guaranteed a chemical-free base for your organic grow.
• Consistency: Every block is identical, so you get the same results every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to mix perlite with UGro XL Organic?

It is not strictly necessary because the structure is already very airy, but many growers add 10-20% perlite to increase drainage even further, especially if you water frequently.

Does this coco come with nutrients?

No, UGro XL Organic is an inert substrate. It contains natural Trichodermas but has very low NPK levels. You must provide nutrients from the very first watering.

Is it suitable for outdoor growing?

Absolutely. It works great outdoors, especially in hot climates, as coco holds water well while keeping roots cool. Just ensure you use fabric pots or containers with good drainage.

What does OMRI listed mean?

It means the Organic Materials Review Institute has verified that this product complies with organic standards. It's safe for certified organic food and cannabis production.

Personal Experience of Pevgrow’s CEO (Alan)

I honestly stopped buying heavy bags of soil years ago for my indoor setups. The logistics of the UGro XL blocks are just unbeatable. I can store 500 liters of substrate in a small closet, which is impossible with traditional soil bags. My personal trick? I always hydrate it with water at about 25°C mixed with a good dose of root stimulator.

In the beginning, I made the mistake of treating it like soil and only watering with plain water for the first week—big mistake. The plants got hungry fast. Now, I always start with a light nutrient mix (EC 0.8 - 1.0) right from the hydration phase, and the seedlings explode with growth from day one.