What are the coconut nursery benefits? Cocopeat is a kind of organic planting media that is made from coconut fiber or husk. The coconut fiber and husk are ground first to form a powder. Then, it is molded to make it compact and easy to pack.
When you buy the cocopeat product, it commonly has been in the form of solid brick. However, there are also cocopeat in the form of fiber just like the natural fiber of coconut. Generally, those types of cocopeat have the same functions and benefits.
So, why is the cocopeat for nursery chosen? Here are some reasons you may need to know.
Great Water Absorption
Cocopeat has a greater water absorption compared to any other planting media. It is one of the natural characteristics of the coconut fiber. Once you soak the dry cocopeat in the water, the water simply goes into the cocopeat’s pore. The swollen cocopeat after being in the water is a sign that this planting medium has kept the water well.
Many types of plants, indeed, cannot live without enough water. By using cocopeat, the plants can always be hydrated so that their growth will be more optimal.
The pH Level is Suitable for Planting
The pH of the acidic level of cocopeat ranges from 5.0 to 6.8, being considered suitable for almost all types of plants. This range shows that cocopeat is a little bit acid, making it one of the most important cocopeat nursery benefits.
Sure, there are also conditions when the pH Level of cocopeat is less ideal than how it should be, although those conditions are quite rare. You can check the pH of the cocopeat by using neutral water with a pH of 7.0. Add the water 5 times heavier than the cocopeat. Next, measure the pH Level using the pH meter.
If the result shows that the pH is too high, add the acid water. On the other hand, add the base water to the cocopeat if the pH is too low.
Rich of Nutrients
Cocopeat is rich in nutrients needed by plants. Some of them are phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium. Certain types of plants even don’t need additional fertilizer after using cocopeat.
Environmentally Friendly
As cocopeat is an organic material, it becomes 100% environmentally friendly. It doesn’t produce toxic residue in the soil as well as the material tends to be degraded naturally. In addition, one of the cocopeat nursery benefits is that it is resistant to pests.