It is said that cocopeat is a perfect soil alternative for nurseries. However, it doesn’t work well without Cocopeat nursery optimization before using it. It is the critical step to turn cocopeat into one of the best planting mediums for nurseries. Here, we will show you how to do that.
Rinsing Cocopeat
One of the methods to optimize the usage of cocopeat for nurseries is the rinsing process. It is the step after you soak to expand it. Before you shred it into the soil-like part, you need to rinse it first.
Why should you rinse cocopeat? The answer is to reduce the salt content inside the cocopeat. High salt content can damage the rot, which obstructs the growth.
Mixing Cocopeat
The natural soil already has a high content of nutrients. It comes from falling leaves, dead trees, and animal remains mixed within the soil. Therefore, using natural soil for the nursery is enough to provide a planting medium with the proper amount of nutrients.
However, cocopeat is different. It is made of coconut husk. Through the long process, it becomes a block, ready to use as soil. Yet, the nutrients are almost none within cocopeat.
To maximize the Cocopeat nursery optimization, you must add nutrients to the cocopeat. Therefore, it is recommended to mix it with compost before using it. The best ratio is 1:1 for compost and cocopeat. This method will optimize cocopeat as the planting medium to replace the soil in the nursery.
Furthermore, you should choose the organic compost for this step. It is for safety. Moreover, it is much more effective to support the plant’s growth.
Use the Right Amount
Lastly, we recommend using the right amount of cocopeat for nursery. For example, fill the planter with cocopeat mixture until it leaves around 2 inches of space on top of the planter. It gives the plant enough space to grow and expand its roots.
This step is essential, especially for seedling purposes. It allows the seeds to grow. More importantly, it also helps the transfer steps. You can move the grown seed into a new area where it can grow to the adult stage, ready to harvest.
Conclusion
It is critical to do all the optimization processes. Cocopeat might offer many benefits. However, it only works wonderfully for the nursery, if you prepare it properly. Try the Cocopeat nursery optimization method to get the best planting medium for the nursery.