Coco-peat : Coco peat soil is made from the pith inside a coconut husk. It is naturally anti-fungal, making it an excellent choice to start seed. Coco peat in gardening is also used as a soil amendment, potting mix.
Benefits of using coco-peat:
High water holding capacity
Acceptable pH & EC
Excellent wettability, superior to peat
Ability to retain nutrients against leaching and to buffer supply
Unique water holding capacity
Good drainage / aeration
Less shrinkage
Retains physical properties longer
Light weight
No pests, weeds, or diseases
Odorless and pleasant to handle
Natural and renewable resource
Uniform in composition
100% Organic
Promotes strong root growth and plant vigor.
Absorbs water readily and re-wets easily, thus reducing the need for wetting agents.
Reduces watering frequency without plant stress, thereby reducing labor costs and minimizing plant loss
Increases shelf life of plants
Slow breakdown of material means product will not shrink during your growing cycle
High water holding capacity while still maintaining excellent drainage and aeration
How to use Coco-peat
Coco-peat Bricks : The coconut fibers have been ground and compressed in bricks. The bricks are easy to package, market, store and handle. The product will need to be reconstituted before using.
Reconstituting the bricks : Coconut coir or peat comes in compressed form, it expands and increases up to 5 or 6 times in volume after it’s reconstituted. Only break off the amount you’re planning to use.
Break apart a brick in parts and throw it in a large bucket. Add enough amount of water to saturate the brick.
Allow the dry coco peat to sit in the water for some time so that it can become loose and absorb the water.
Stir and fluff coco peat with a garden trowel after 10-15 minutes, add more water if it looks dry. Stop, if it’s loose.
Stir and fluff again after a few minutes to make sure all of it has been moistened, add more water if it’s not loose yet. Once you see the moist and loose coco peat, it is ready to use in the garden.
How to use coco-peat in garden
Coco peat can be directly incorporated into the garden soil to improve water retention, aeration and decrease the risk of the soil fungus and root diseases. Mix in soil at 25/75 ratio.
It can also be used as a mulch around garden plants to help the soil retain moisture and prevent weed growth.
How to use coco-peat in pots
Coco peat can be used as a soil-less growing medium for potted plants or in aqua-culture growing environments. Add the reconstituted bricks to planters, leaving 1 inch of space below the planter rim. Plant a seed or seedling in the center. Fertilizer and soil will need to be added to sustain a plant long-term when it’s planted in coco peat.
If you don’t know how to use coco peat in pots–the way is to add a 1/4 part of coco peat in the potting mix.
Container gardens dry out faster, so apply a 1-inch layer of coco peat over the container soil to help the soil retain moisture.
Coco peat can also be as a sole growing medium for starting seeds. Once the shoots start to form you can transplant seedlings into the pots.
