Coco Peat is an organic fiber and multifunctional growing medium, which is made from coconut husk. It is produced as a result of the extraction of coconut fiber from the husk-giving byproduct known as coco peat. Moreover, the fibrous part of coconut husk is firstly pre-washed, then machine dried, and strained. It is 100% natural and environment-friendly that is manufactured free from contaminations like plant or animal debris, weeds, and pathogens. Furthermore, the coco peat is indeed a good substitute for conventional rock wool and peat moss. The coco peat is a beneficial option for the agriculture and gardening sector.
Properties of Coco Peat
Let’s find out some of the properties of coco peat, which are as follows;
● It has biochemical as well as physical attributes that make it highly resistant to fungal, bacterial, and viral growth.
● The pH of coco peat lies between neutral to slightly acidic, which is great to blend with alkaline nature soil-promoting growth of plants.
● It has a consistent texture and is easy to use as compared to other traditional soil.
● It has the ability to store nutrients and release them to plants for a certain period of time.
● The coco peat act as a natural conditioner for plants as it retains moisture to a greater extent.
● It also has an oxygenation property that is valuable for the healthy development of roots.
What are the Key Nutrients of Coco Peat?
The coco peat consists of both macro and micro-nutrients that are mainly present in coconut fiber. It contains high content of Carbohydrates, Fibers, and several Minerals like Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Calcium, which are needed by various plants for growth or development.
What are the Advantages of Using Coco Peat in Agriculture and Gardening?
Wondering about why coco peat is becoming the popular choice for a medium of hydroponics setups? Let’s take a look at this rising star- the source of medium for kitchen gardens, home gardens, plant pots, commercial farming, and agriculture areas.
High Germination Rate
The coco peat has the greater ability to re-wet, which makes it a good source of medium for a variety of germination of seeds. It is ideal for seedling tubes and trays. Moreover, many types of research show that the germination rate is quite higher among the seeds.
Enhanced Water Capacity
The coco peat has enhanced water-holding capacity as well as increased porosity of soil of potting mixture. So, no worries about plants to suffer from under and over watering as it is hydrophilic can absorb water and re-wet it easily.
Produce Stronger and Fibrous Roots
The coco peat has properties like being lightweight, high consistency, and water-holding ability that produces fibrous or stronger roots of plant seedlings.
Sustainability
The coco peat is the end-product of the mature coconut fruit. Moreover, it is the natural product that makes it organic and renewable. It is quite advantageous for the growth of roots and reusable for a variety of plants.
Nutrient Absorption
Another stunning advantage of using coco peat, it is an organic medium and has a factor of high cation exchange. So, it effortlessly released and absorbed the essential nutrients to the roots of various plants for their optimal growth.
Smoothly Re-wet
It is an ideal source of medium for different kinds of seed raising as it has the power to re-wet smoothly. This medium is perfect for cell production of flower or vegetable seed rising. It is also best for large-scale outdoor seedlings in the agriculture sector. Further, this property makes it beneficial for the optimum growth of plants and the nourishment of the soil.
Natural Trichoderma
As it is organic, so it consists of natural Trichoderma that act as a bio agent against detrimental pathogens. Moreover, it also promotes the growth of useful fungi and bacteria for the growth of plants.
Easily Compress Shape
The compact nature of coco peat makes it a great choice for agriculture and gardening as it is easily transported and stored. It is compressed to ⅕ size than its actual volume and can be pressed into any shape.
Where to use the Coco Peat?
Thinking about where to use this eco-friendly coco peat in the agriculture and gardening area? Let’s discover its multiple uses.
Sowing Medium
The coco peat is a striking sowing medium for various seeds of flowers and vegetables in seedling trays.
Multiple Areas
Organic coco peat is beneficial in multiple areas like hydroponic farming and soilless gardening.
Rooting Medium
It is an ideal rooting medium for different plants. The stem cuttings are added to the coco peat for root initiation.
In potting Mixture
The coco peat is added to a potting mixture-making it suitable for dish gardens, indoor plants, hanging baskets, cacti plants, and terrariums.
How to Use Coco Peat in Gardening and Agriculture?
The coco peat usually comes in two forms that are powder and blocks. It is sold in a compressed way to reduce the handling as well transport expenses. The coco peat blocks are easily converted into dust. Just add sufficient water to the block/brick to make adequate quantity and then it will swell into soggy coco peat. Moreover, if want to expand the entire coco peat brick, then absorb it in a huge tub that is capable of holding liters of water. For large-scale agriculture purposes, use the powder coco peat but if brick coco peat is available then use machinery to convert it into powder.
Why Coco Peat is Beneficial over other Normal Peat?
The coco peat is very useful for both gardening and agriculture sectors due to its advantageous factors, which are;
● It has better aeration and moisture retention that increases productivity and reduces plant diseases.
● It is 100% natural, sterile, and free from various pathogens.
● It provides great renitent to root diseases of plants.
● The process of decomposing is slow as compare to other standard peat.
● It really improves the texture of soil over other peat.
How to Choose a Good Coco Peat?
The coco peat is formed from the process of drying and straining, so a fine quality coco peat should not contain any form of dust. The dust can easily reduce the potential of aeration and drainage of coco peat. So, the coco peat should be correctly sieved to divide both dust and fiber. Furthermore, the pH of the coco peat should be in a range from neutral to slightly acidic as in this plant roots can easily absorb vital nutrients. Lastly, it comes in two varieties: brick and powder, so buy it according to the need. These are the main attributes for choosing the perfect coco peat for home gardening, farming, and commercial agriculture areas.
How the Coco Peat is Actually Produced?
Following essential materials are used to produce a good quality coco peat at a large scale;
● Coconut
● Containers
● Pilers
● Mixture
● Bowls
● Water
Process for making coco peat
The first and foremost step is to remove the coconut husk. It is removed by using coconut husk remover and pilers. The husk is removed carefully into smaller parts, and then adds them into blender or mixer. Mix them vigorously in the blender to turn into a fine powder form. Remove the coconut fiber by using a sieve from the powder form. To form coco peat bricks/ blocks, then mix water to form a slurry and blend well. Lastly, stored them in a container and ready to transport/use.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the coco peat is the leader of all forms of peat out there as it is 100% organic and free from all kinds of impurities. It works wonders for the effective growth of plant seedlings by sustaining the soil. It is used in a variety of different plants both at home as well as in commercial sectors. Lastly, the coco peat has diverse benefits and properties, which makes it a rising star in gardening and agriculture areas over other peat.