Asides from the soil, there are other mediums that can be used to cultivate crops and one of them is the coco peat.
The outside layer of husk that surrounds the shell of coconut comprises fibers that are being removed from the shells to make doormats, ropes, brushes, carpets, mattresses, etc. It is also used to make a cloud of powdery dust which is made into coco peat and used in gardening. Every part of a coconut is useful, from the outer components and inner content.
Have you ever opened a coconut? Lol… yeah we know you must have.
If you have ever opened a coconut and noticed the fiber-like and stringy interior, that is the basis for coco peat.
We all want our plants to grow healthily as farmers, nothing beats a garden that blooms greenery. To get that healthy plant you desire coco peat is the perfect material to use.
What is Cocopeat?
Coco peat is a natural, and renewable resource produced from coconut husks. It can also be defined as a natural fiber made out of coconut husks. The extraction of coconut fiber from husks gives the by-product called coco peat, which is a 100% natural growing medium.
Coco peat is 100% organic, it has the ability to store and release nutrients to plants against leaching and buffer for an extended period of time. Unlike soil it doesn’t form mud, it is odorless, increases the shelf life of plants. It has oxygenation properties which are important for healthy root development.
The coco peat is used for plants because it is light, easy to handle, and can be reused for up to 4 years. Its physical and biochemical properties make it resistant to bacterial and fungal growth. Loose coco peat is referred to as coco soil, the coco soil being a porous and well-drained medium helps the plant to have strong roots, thus making it an excellent medium for hydroponics.
Cocopeat
Coco peat is a wonderful growing medium, it can be used to grow the seeds of vegetables and flowers in seedling trays. It has a pH of 5.2 to 6.8 which neutral to slightly acidic, this makes it great to be mixed with alkaline garden soil.
Coco peat has a moisture retention capacity that is very high, it can retain moisture up to eight times its volume, this factor makes it good for soilless gardening and hydroponic farming. It is an essential ingredient for various potting media like organic veggie-mix.
Coco peat contains phosphorus, nitrogen, and high content of potassium, magnesium, and zinc. It has water-absorbing properties, 1kg of dried coco peat can expand up to 15 liters in water. It can retain many liters of water for several months, so plants are watered less frequently.
USES OF COCOPEAT
- Coco peat is used in hydroponics as the main element.
- It is the best support in nursery seedling.
- They are used in floriculture and horticulture.
- It is used by farmers as worm bedding.
- They are used to make the mixture for potting.
- It is used in greenhouses to plant vegetables and flowers.
You may be asking yourself how you will make Coco peat, well it’s easy to make. Follow me as I enlighten you on the process involved in making it.
HOW TO MAKE COCO PEAT?
- Get coconut husk and store it in a cool, dry, and clean place.
- Pull out the fibers and dry them, chop them into small pieces with the help of a scissors or cutter.
- Grind the chopped fibers into a fine powder, the coco fiber will be separated as fluff.
- The fibers are being removed out of the coco peat with the help of a sieve.
- Remove the fibers from the top of the sieve manually.
- This peat should be washed with water to remove excess salts.
- Soak the peat in water for about an hour.
- Use your hands to squeeze water.
- Dry the peat in sunlight for a day.
- It is ready to be used.
- The coco peat can be filled in the seedling tray for planting.
Here in Suntwist, we make use of Coco peat to grow the vegetables in the greenhouse, our vegetables grow in good health, are filled with enough nutrients, and are safe for consumption. We produce vegetables that are healthy, fresh, and nutritious. Every day we keep looking for the best ways to farm and explore agriculture.
Hope you enjoyed reading this article, stay tuned for more educative and informative articles on our blog.
Knowledge is power, we are always here to add to your knowledge.
Thanks for reading.