Get to Know Cocopeat as a Medium for Growing Vegetables at Home

 

Cocopeat is a growing medium that has a fairly high water absorption capacity and can store more water than is accommodated in the soil. Cocopeat can store and retain water 10 times better than soil and this is certainly very good for plants that grow with a hydroponic system. Because it can retain water well, plant roots do not dry out easily and can be well hydrated.

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This material is made from aria skin or coconut husk. Generally obtained from industrial waste that uses coconut as raw material in their products. Coconut coir consists of fiber and cork as a liaison between the fibers. Each coconut contains 75% fiber. Coconut coir contains chemical compounds such as cellulose, lignin, charcoal, tannin, and potassium. On average, 1 coconut is able to produce coir weighing 0.4 kg with a fiber content of 30%.

Cocopeat is easy to absorb and store water. It also has pores, which facilitate the exchange of air, and the entry of sunlight. The content of Trichoderma molds, a type of enzyme from fungi, can reduce disease in the soil. Thus, cocopeat can keep the soil loose and fertile.

Although it is touted as an alternative planting medium of as good quality as soil, the nutrients in the soil are not present in it. Therefore, cocopeat requires additional fertilizer as fertilizer

The advantages of the Cocopeat include:

As an organic growing medium, Cocopeat has several advantages over other growing media.

1. The texture is like soil

The shape and texture of Cocopeat resembles soil and its fine grain allows the plant to adapt as well as if planted in soil. The difference between Cocopeat and soil planting media is only in its nutritional content where Cocopeat does not contain nutrients such as soil. Therefore, to grow plants with Cocopeat, plants are not only watered but also nutrient solution.

2. The advantages of Cocopeat which can absorb water well

Cocopeat is a growing medium that has a fairly high water absorption capacity and can store more water than is accommodated in the soil. Cocopeat can store and retain water 10 times better than soil and this is certainly very good for plants that grow with a hydroponic system. Because it can retain water well, plant roots do not dry out easily and can be well hydrated.

3. Environmentally friendly

Because it is made from organic materials, Cocopeat is very environmentally friendly and can degrade well in the soil when it is not used. In addition, Cocopeat can also be recycled back into a new planting medium, of course, with certain processes.

4. More pest resistant

Some types of pests such as pests that come from the soil do not like being in Cocopeat and this can certainly protect plants better and protect them from pest attacks.

5. Easier for beginners

Growing plants with Cocopeat is highly recommended for those who are just starting to learn to grow plants hydroponically. Cocopeat is easy to use when first planting because of its soil-like shape and texture.

Tips for Using Cocopeat Media

1. Cocopeat is washed first with clean water to clean the chemical elements that might trigger plant growth inhibition.
2. Cocopeat must be mixed with other media as described above. The use of cocopeat without being mixed with other media is actually possible but the results will not be optimal.
3. If using a hydroponic netpot, then this cocopeat media is not suitable because the material will be washed away with other nutrients.

The use of cocopeat as a growing medium is actually very good because it contains much needed by plants. But you still have to pay attention to the weaknesses of cocopeat media so that you can adjust it to your needs.