What is cocopeat and why is cocopeat important for plants?

Do you know why the use of cocopeat has increased so much in the last few years, what is the ' benefits and uses of cocopeat ' and why it is important for cocopeat plants.

Let us take information about this today.

Benefits and uses of cocopeat

Ropes, mats, brushes and fishing nets have been made from coconut fibers for hundreds of years, in addition to making mattresses in mattress and furniture.

A byproduct of this coconut industry is Cocopeat which is made from the fiber mounted on the coconut shell.

Cocopeat provides a wonderful and unmatched combination of Moisture , Drainage and Aeration required for plants, which is the main reason for its popularity.

Cocopeat Introduction and History

Before knowing about Coco Peat, we have to know a little about Peat or Peat Moss because Cocopeat had made its place in the world by replacing Peat Moss.

Peat Moss is a sheet made on the land due to decomposition or decomposition of vegetation for thousands of years in certain areas of Europe and America continent, which is found only on the top layer of the land and it has been excavated.

Peat moss sheet is spread over a total area of ​​about 37 lakh square km in different areas all over the world, it has been used as fuel for thousands of millions of years, and in western countries it is also widely used in Horticulture. has been put into use.

Experiments on coconut fibers in Sri Lanka  

Let us tell you that the use of Peat Moss in place of soil in Horticulture or other types of innovations started only in western countries and from there we are now adopting those measures.

 In the midst of protests by environmentalists against the exploitation and excessive use of Peat Moss in Western countries, a study was started in Sri Lanka in 1983 to use coconut fiber as an alternative to Peat Moss, which was successful and within a few years Cocopeat completed Kind of took the place of Peat Moss.

Although peat moss is still used in horticulture today, but much less than before which is good for the environment.

Cocopeat industry

At present Sri Lanka is the largest exporter of Cocopeat in the world, followed by India. Along with Kerala, all the coconut producing states in India are working under the aegis of Coir Board under the Government of India. You can get information about the schemes being run from Coir Board India .

In the year 2016, India International Coir Fair was organized in India itself. We can thank Sri Lanka for becoming an industry worth crores of rupees from the waste of coconut industry and becoming a source of income for thousands of poor.  

Benefits of cocopeat

Keeps moisture

The ability to hold water in cocopeat is very high, some experts consider it to be better than peat in this matter.

Without stopping the excess amount of water in the plant, it retains the necessary moisture in itself, so that even if there is no water for a day or two, the plant does not face any problem.

light weight

Loss in weight is the main reason for the popularity of cocopeat. Due to its low weight, its transportation is easy whether you are buying it from nursery or ordering it online.

It is also easy to move the light pots here and there, children and women can also easily move the pots as per the need.

Helpful in Plant Growth

Due to the fiber-like structure, the dress keeps the elements in check. Using only clay, there is a possibility of easily removing the clothing element from the hole.

Due to good drainage and aeration , it helps in spreading the roots of the plants, which makes the plant strong.

It has the natural quality of dealing with Bacteria and Fungus, along with it is completely organic and it is also best to create balance in the environment.

By using cocopeat in the pots placed on the terrace or balcony, its weight remains low, so that there is no burden on the roof.

Use in Horticulture

Use in Terrace Gardening, Container Gardening in the form of Potting Mix or by mixing it with soil, sand.

Use in preparation of Seedlings from seed.

Hydroponics means that without soil, only water is used in gardening.

How is Cocopeat Made ?

It is made on an industrial scale where coconut is grown in the sea areas, it takes many years to make cocopeat from green coconut.

Dried coconut is left in water on large farms for a few years, it can be sea water or fresh sweet water.

When coconut is soaked in sea water, it is processed with fresh water in the post-making process so that the salt of sea water is removed from it.   

That is why when we use it at home, it should be used only after soaking it well in water and squeezing it.

After this, the coconut is taken out and its fiber is separated, then it is left for months to dry.

After drying, they are prepared mainly in three forms (i) in the form of sawdust, (ii) in the form of fibers and (iii) in the form of chips.

Coco Coir, prepared in the form of sawdust or chur, is compressed by squeezing water and prepared in the shape of Cubes, Bricks etc., cooked and sent to the market.

It is available in the market in 1 Kg, 2 Kg and 5 Kg weights, whose average price is around Rs 50 per Kg. When soaked in water, it becomes about 5-6 times its volume.

After bringing it home, according to its need or if you want, you can soak it completely in water. After soaking for a few hours, take it out by squeezing it with both hands or filtering it with a cloth, throw away the remaining water.

Can cocopeat be made at home? How to Make Cocopeat at Home 

Can cocopeat be made at home? The answer to this question is both yes and no. Yes, because sawdust can be made from coconut fiber, and not because it is not right to use this sawdust directly in plants.

Let us see how to make cocopeat at home, you will often buy coconut for worship or for food and drink. Next time you buy coconut, don't get it peeled at the shop, if you peel it then ask for it from the shopkeeper.

Cut the peel from the coconut into small one or two inch pieces and keep some more in the form of fibers.

Now let's talk about the harm that can happen from home made cocopeat –

Actually, the cocopite is formed after the coconut fibers are decomposed, which takes many months, so it is not right to remove the coconut fibers at home and put them directly in the pot.

Before doing this, he will decompose himself in which he will need nitrogen and he will not take this nitrogen from anywhere else but from the soil of the pot 

If the soil of the pot which is necessary for the nutrition of the plant, coconut fiber will be used to decompose it, then it is obvious that the plant will not get the necessary nitrogen and its growth will be inhibited.

That's why it would be better if you put coconut fibers or sawdust in your compost bin, this will give you good quality compost.

You can also keep the inner shell of coconut which is very hard, keep it in small pieces and whenever you prepare a new pot, you can use it to cover the bottom hole in the pot.

Disadvantages of cocopeat   

Peat moss is found in plains, so it does not contain salt, whereas coconut grows around sea water and is kept soaked in sea water for months, so the salt content of cocopeat is high.

Although after soaking in water, it is processed and efforts are made to extract its salt, yet there is a possibility of some amount of salt remaining in it, which can prove to be very harmful for the plants. 

To protect the plants from salt, the cockpit should be soaked and filtered 2-3 times with water, and the filtered water should be thrown away, do not accidentally throw it in your garden.

check out the quality

Whatever the demand of our country starts increasing, its duplicate or say that the same of poor quality comes in the market, so you should make sure that you get good quality cocopeat even if it gets a little expensive.

Cocopeat degrades over time, so many experts recommend limited use, such as for seedlings, hanging plants, and seasonal plants.

It should not be used in Succulents and Cactus etc. or should be used limited.

The thinking of considering cocopeat as the best is spreading, which is not right, it also has advantages and disadvantages and there is a way to use it, the practice of using blindly is not right.