Open Top Bags
Open-top planting bags for easy transplanting, inspection and harvesting.
Open Top Bags
Open Top Bags provide a generous open planting surface, making transplanting, root inspection and harvesting fast and simple. The open format suits crops grown at higher plant densities and is a favourite for soft fruit and container vegetable production.
Interested in Open Top Bags?
Get a customized quotation based on quantity, destination port, crop type and packaging.
Why choose Open Top Bags
- Open surface for easy planting & harvest
- Excellent drainage and aeration
- Multiple volumes and coir recipes
- Consistent, buffered substrate
Recommended for
- Berries
- Tomato
- Cut flowers
- USDA Organic
- Canada Organic (COR)
- EU Organic
- RHP
- ISO 9001
- GMP
Full specifications
Physical properties
| Water holding capacity | 63% |
|---|---|
| Air-filled porosity | 32% |
| Drainage performance | Free-draining; tuned by chip content |
| Bulk density | 92 g/L |
| Particle size | 0 – 20 mm (graded) |
| Particle size distribution | Graded to recipe |
| Expansion ratio | ~ 13–16 L/kg (block grades) |
| Moisture | 15 – 20% |
| Compression ratio | 5:1 (typical) |
Chemical properties
| EC | < 0.5 mS/cm |
|---|---|
| pH | 5.8 – 6.5 |
| Sodium (Na) | < 50 mg/L (washed) |
| Potassium (K) | Managed by washing / buffering |
| Chloride (Cl) | < 80 mg/L (washed) |
| CEC | 80 meq/100g |
Treatment & packaging
| Buffering status | Buffered |
|---|---|
| Washing level | Washed |
| Mix ratios | 70/30, 50/50 |
| Packaging | 20 L, 25 L, Custom |
| Pallet loading | Palletised, shrink-wrapped |
| Container loading | ≈ 5,000 bags / 40ft HC |
Typical values for this grade; exact figures are confirmed on the batch Certificate of Analysis and can be supplied to your target.
Growing performance
Irrigation frequency
Medium- to high-frequency drip
Crop cycle length
Medium to long-season
Recommended climate
Greenhouse / protected; soft-fruit friendly
Fertigation strategy
Low-EC feed; maintain healthy run-off to flush salts
The evidence
These figures aren't just claims. See a sample COA and batch quality report, review our quality acceptance criteria, or read grower case studies.
FarmersOrigin RPE™
Root Performance Engineering scores every substrate across five pillars, so you can match the medium to your crop, system and irrigation with confidence.
FarmersOrigin RPE™
Scored 1–5 across the five Root Performance Engineering pillars.
- Air
- 4/5
- Water
- 4/5
- Structure
- 4/5
- Nutrition
- 4/5
- Crop Match
- 4/5
Recommended for
See how this product performs for specific crops, or browse all crops we serve.
How it performs at the root
Water retention
WHC 63%Fine pith buffers moisture and re-wets evenly between irrigations for uniform plants.
Aeration
AFP 32%An open structure keeps roots oxygenated under fertigation.
Drainage
Free-drainingStable macro-pores drain excess water quickly, preventing waterlogging and salt build-up.
Bulk density
92 g/LA light, friable structure that's easy to handle and lets roots explore the full volume.
Nutrient management
CEC 80 meq/100gWashed, buffered coir holds a low, stable EC so your feed sets the root-zone chemistry.
Make it yours
- Bag size & fill volume
- Drainage holes & slits
- Plastic colour & print
- Mix ratio (pith / chips / fibre)
- Buffering & washing level
- Your label / private label
Getting the best results
Pre-wet the substrate thoroughly before planting. Use frequent, small irrigations on chip-rich blends, and fewer, larger events on pith-rich blends, to keep the root zone evenly moist and well oxygenated.
Maintain roughly 10–20% run-off to manage EC, and monitor drain EC/pH to steer your nutrition. Our technical team can recommend a starting strategy for your crop and climate.
Documentation
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)PDF
- Certificate of Analysis (sample)PDF
- Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)PDF
- Packing SpecificationPDF
- Container Loading PlanPDF
- Product CataloguePDF
- Technical BrochurePDF
Full documentation ships with every order. Browse all resources & guides.
Talk to our technical team
Tell us your crop, climate and container size and we'll recommend the right open top bags specification — and send samples.
Common questions
Is Open Top Bags buffered and low-EC?
Yes — our substrates are washed and can be supplied pre-buffered with calcium and magnesium to a low, stable EC. Share your target EC/pH and we'll match it.
Can I get a sample before ordering?
Absolutely. Request a representative sample with a documented COA so you can test structure, EC and re-wetting for your crop.
What is the minimum order and lead time?
Lead times and minimums depend on format, customization and destination. Send us your requirement and we'll confirm both with your quote.
Can this be produced to my own recipe or brand?
Yes — mix ratio, packaging, sizes and private-label branding can all be tailored. See our custom manufacturing options.
Ready to engineer a better root zone?
Tell us your crop, climate and system — our technical team will recommend the right growing media and prepare a quote.