Cocopeat and Grow Bags
Cocopeat is natural fiber made out of coconut husks. The extraction of coconut fiber from husks gives us this byproduct called coco-peat, which is a 100% natural growing medium.
Cocopeat, also known as coconut fibre, coir fibre, or coir, is a naturally growing media made from the husk of a coconut. As a co-product of coconut fibre extraction, it was previously considered a waste product.
This plant material is made from coconut husk and is non-fibrous, spongy, lightweight, and corky. It is made from coconut husks and used for planting. As part of processing coconut husk, it is prewashed, machine dried, sieved, and removed from the sand and other contaminants.
Types of Cocopeat for plants
- Cocobrick / Cocofibre – Cocopeat is compressed into a brick shape. These have to be soaked to break them apart. A Brick-shaped cocopeat allows oxygen to penetrate a plant root system, helping the plant grow faster. This is appropriate for gardeners who want space-saving, like balconies, small flats, etc. It is mixed with compost, sand, and fertiliser to make good-quality potting soil.
- Coir dust – Coir Dust can hold 8-9 times more water than its weight and then releases the water to the plant with the help of feeding roots. It is used to grow many exotic plants, such as ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and anthurium.
- Coco chips – These are small chunks of coir. They are mixed with coco peat or added to potting soil to regulate the aeration of growing plants and maintain the ideal air-to-moisture ratio for plant roots.
Properties of Cocopeat
- Cocopeat blocks and bricks can hold water efficiently
- It is organic and biodegradable with a life span of 3-4 years
- It is free from pathogens, stones, weed seeds, and harmful microorganisms, thus being an apartment-friendly choice.
- Dry coco peat can also be used as a water or oil absorbent on wet floors being a good absorbent.
- It is a 100% naturally growing medium that is slow to decompose and biodegradable.
- It also increases aeration and water retention, improves soil texture and productivity, reduces root disks and is less mess
What are the benefits of Cocopeat over traditional peat?
The fibrous part of the coconut husk is dipped in pits to soften. Then the coir fibre is extracted after beating it to manufacture door mats, ropes, upholstery, car seats, mattresses, carpets, insulation, brushes, and bristle brooms. Cocopeat used for plants is also called coir. It is readily available and used as a traditional liner for wire baskets.
Potting soil is very easy and available in ready-to-use form, but it has certain drawbacks as it is taken from the ground. There is often a lack of drainage, and peat is removed from the ground and can cause environmental damage. An excellent alternative is coco peat soil. In addition to recycling a discarded product, planting in coco peat provides many benefits.
Cocopeat increases the porosity of the potting mix. As a result, the soil will become more airy and loose, which will help the roots to grow more effectively. A plant’s development is aided by its roots growing correctly. A plant’s porosity capacity facilitates the maintenance of its water capacity.
The packaging can be compressed into one-fifth of its volume or less, significantly reducing transportation, storage, and handling costs. Compression can be quickly done in various shapes and sizes as per the requirement. It contains natural Trichoderma, a bioagent that fights harmful pathogens. Bacteria do not thrive in this environment. Additionally, it is a renewable media for plantation purposes.
Specifications
Cocopeat grow bags
Cocopeat grow bags are made from compressed coco peat, a byproduct of the coconut industry. Cocopeat is a natural, renewable, and sustainable alternative to traditional peat moss. It has a high water retention capacity and provides excellent aeration, making it an ideal medium for growing plants.
FAQ
Coco peat refers to a product derived from coconut husks, which is widely used as a growing medium or substrate for growing plants. The substance is known to be versatile as it has multiple applications. Most popularly, coco peat is used as a potting mix for plants. However, coco peat is also added to soil enhance its drainage properties.
Also, it is used on its own as hydroponic growing medium. It is considered to be eco-friendly and a sustainable material. Coir is the natural fibre particles on the outer part of coconut husks. These are extracted and used in making different products such as doormats, brushes, mattresses, etc. Coconut fibre is also known as coco fibre.
Cocopeat soil is made from the pith of coconut husks. In addition to being an excellent seed starter, it is also used in rugs, ropes, brushes, and stuffing. Additionally, coco peat can be used as a soil enhancer, a gardening mix, and a hydroponic system.
It is environmentally friendly to use coco coir as it is reusable.
After rinsing and straining, it will work perfectly again. Compared to the soil, coco peat retains much more water and releases it slowly to plant roots. A fine powder is made from the husks of coconuts ground into cocopeat. Afterwards, the powder is mixed with water and formed into pellets. The pellets are then dried in the sun or a kiln.
This material is environmentally conscious, unlike peat moss, which is a non-renewable resource. Cocopeat is a 100% natural product. It is becoming popular for soilless cultivation, which is known as hydroponics. Hydroponics is gaining popularity in the form of in-house gardens and rooftop gardens. Hydroponic Farming fits right in every time agriculture is designed with a space of technology.
You can mix coco peat to the soil. When using coco peat and compost, use them in a ratio of 1:1. However, as compose holds excess nutrients, there will be leaching of nutrients. You can rather make a potting mix using soil of 35-40%, compost of 20-25 %, and coco peat of 35%. You can the coconut coir with the help a garden tool like fork and add it up to the first six inches of the soil.
• The growth rate of hydroponic plants is much faster than that of soil plants. It doesn’t take long for us to see the results of our cultivation, such as fruits, vegetables, etc.
• It is very beneficial for the environment
• Less space leads to more production
• Requires comparatively less water
• This is a very hygienic way to utilise the small spaces in our apartments nowadays and turn them into stunning gardens. It is a benefit for your health.
You can use coco peat to allow a healthy growth for the plants in your home. If you are directly applying coco peat in your garden, mix it with soil in a ration of 3:1. That is, use three parts of soil for one part of coco peat. The substance will help retain moisture, allowing aeration and oxygen supply and enhancing organic matter in the soil. Moreover, it eliminates risks of fungal attack and diseases.
The cocopeat bricks can be purchased online or directly from the market. Adding warm water to a big bucket of bricks will help them dissolve. You can break the bricks by hand or soak the coir for about two hours in water. It can be planted directly or mixed with soil in a proportion that keeps 40% of the medium. It should always be moistened well before planting. Also, it is advised to check the plant’s water on time.
Most of us want a rooftop garden but fail to have one because we have to maintain the proper weight in rooftop gardening. Cocopeat solves this issue. You can also use cocopeat to make a small garden on your balcony or your apartment
