All things good with Coco Peat!
How coco peat scores over the soil?
A significant difference between coco peat and soil lies in the nutrient content. Soil is rich in nutrients while coco peat is unfertilized and you need to add nutrients to make it fertile. However, plants grow healthier in coco peat compared to soil. Let’s see why gardeners are increasingly replacing soil with coco peat.
List Light and promotes strong roots
Being light coco peat doesn't resist the roots from growing deep. Eventually, the roots longer and healthier. This could be one of the main reasons why plants grown in coco peat give big yields.
Acts as a soil conditioner
Coco peat can be used to promote plant growth in the soil as well. It is a great soil conditioner that can enhance the physical properties of soil. When used in tandem with the soil you are assured of huge harvests.
Ensures a good supply of water and nutrients
Coco peat is excellent at absorbing and retaining water. It is fluffy and has a loose nature. Hence, when compared to soil it can make water available to the roots for a longer duration. The result is roots that grow faster and are stronger. Coco peat also retains the nutrients longer than soil and delivers them directly to the roots, thus enhancing the availability.
Does coco peat increase drainage?
Coco peat is not only a renewable resource made from coconut husks, but it also provides excellent water retention, nutrient retention, aeration, and drainage.
Jun 26, 2023
No soil-borne diseases
When you grow plants in coco peat you can avoid the possibilities of soil-borne diseases. This reduces the need to use pesticides for your plants. Besides coco peat has excellent anti-fungal properties and prevents pests or diseases from reaching the roots and the plants.
What plants like
coco peat?
Varieties like 'Roma' and 'Cherry Tomatoes' are ideal choices. Peppers (Capsicum spp.): Bell peppers, chili peppers, and sweet peppers flourish in COCO coir. Varieties like 'Bell Boy' and 'California Wonder' are
excellent options.
Growers can mix coco coir with soil in a 1:1 ratio, and also add perlite or vermiculite. Growers can also add nutrients or fertilizers to increase the nutrient content of the soil. This ratio is suitable for crop cultivation in containers, large pots, and is also suitable for those who want to save costs.
Jun 17, 2023
Coco coir, also known as coco peat, is a popular growing medium for cannabis cultivation. Derived from the fibrous husk of coconuts, coco coir offers several benefits that make it an excellent choice for growing cannabis.
Is cocopeat good for all plants?
Is cocopeat a good choice to grow plants? Yes, it is. After all, you cannot go wrong when you use a growing medium that has high water-holding and retention capacity and delivers a higher dose of nutrients to roots. Not only this cocopeat is antifungal and it allows deeper root penetration. Aug 16, 2021
Ensures a good supply of water and nutrients - Coco peat is excellent at absorbing and retaining water. It is fluffy and has a loose nature. Hence, when compared to soil it can make water available to the roots for a longer duration. The result is roots that grow faster and are stronger.
Sep 23, 2021
It offers oxygenation properties for healthy root development. It can store the
nutrients and release them for extended periods.
Coco peat is your choice for saving time and money and to move towards environmentally-friendly gardening. Reusability is one of the unique advantages of coco peat. Apart from this coco peat can also provide your plants with a stronger dose of nutrients and water. This eco-friendly growing is finding a growing user base for the proven results it has delivered.
Agreed that soil is the gift of mother earth and might be irreplaceable for the fertility and rare nutrients it offers. However, coco peat can easily replicate these benefits through added manure and assures enhanced nutritional availability. You might wish to try coco peat as an isolated growing medium or use it as a soil conditioner for added advantages. When used as a soil conditioner, you get the best of coco peat and soil and hopefully reduce the labor and cost.
COCO measuring method
The most reliable method for measuring the nutrient levels in COCO is using the 1: 1.5 extraction method. EC and pH of the root environment can be determined by using this method. The pHand EC of the drain water generally deviates from the actual root situation, as COCO is able to retain and release elements.
1. Take a sample of COCO from the slabs or pots (photo 1). This can be done with a soil core sampler or a trowel. To get a representative sample the COCO must be collected from as many places as possible.
2. Collect the sample in a bowl and determine whether it contains the right amount of moisture. The COCO has the right amount of moisture if moisture disappears between your fingers when you squeeze it (photo 2). Add de-mineralized water if necessary and mix the COCO.
3. Take a 250 ml measuring jug and fill it with 150 ml of de-mineralized water. Add COCO to the 250 ml mark (photo3). Fully mix and allow the slurry to settle for at least two hours.
4. Mix again and measure the pH
5. Then filter this material and measure the EC