Coco peat is known under a variety of names, which include coir pith, coir fiber pith. It is made from dry coconut husks as a byproduct of other industrial processes that require the use of coconuts.
For example, one may obtain the raw materials of coco peat from the broom, desiccated coconut and other manufacturing industries. For coco peat to be created, coconuts must wash, heat-treated, screened and finally graded before being processed into products.
There are several reasons why it is highly valued as a soil additive for various types of plants and gardens. It can be apply in seed starting mixes, bedding plants, planters, soil mixes, garden and pot plants. As this substance has a symbiotic relationship with the fungus Trichoderma spp., which protects the coco peat from pathogenic fungi, it is resistant to harmful growths and is, therefore, a good choice for gardeners. This product can also hold eight to nine times its weight in water, unlike other soil additives that have a much lower capacity and allow more water to percolate through the upper soil where it is needed.
It can also hold oxygen well and releases nutrients regularly; however, it is important that you keep in mind that although this product does provide useful nutrients such as potassium (essential for transpiration and other plant processes), it does not release enough. When using it make sure to use other sources of nutrients. Nitrates are one example of this, as coco peat takes up much of the nitrogen present for it own decomposition.
When you buy it, you will find it compressed in containers to make slabs or bales. This is to make transport easier and more efficient. This must then be separated to allow aeration and mixed with water to make it moist enough for it to do its job.
Guideline on Usage of Coco Peat Grow Bags
The following guideline & usage instructions are based on extensive research carried out on our products under different growing conditions & also on valuable information shared by professional growers, who have been using our Grow bags for the past couple of years.
It is very important to understand that these guidelines & usage instructions does not specifically refers to your case & is compiled in general. These guidelines & usage instructions may differ depending on your growing application, crop, greenhouse & the location (climatic condition).
Key Steps In using Grow Bags
-Adopting a Fertilizer plan
-Preparation
-After Planting
-Watering
Adopting a Fertilizer plan
It is of utmost importance to know the optimum level of nutrients required for your crop before analyzing the medium. The level of chemical & nutrients varies from crop to crop. The next step would be the identification of chemical levels present in the medium. This will enable the grower to balance the addition of neutrinos & also reduce the levels of adverse substances. Further, you should analyze the water used in the greenhouse, to find the composition of same.
First take several Grow Bags and hydrate with clean water using the Drips till the slabs are fully saturated & stop watering just as water tries to come out of the cut plant holes and let for 12 hours
Commence draining the after 12 hours while adding fresh water
Collect a water sample at the end of the draining process.
Make analysis from this water sample to ascertain the chemical composition, with this analysis a fertilizing plan should be done. It is important to note that Coco materials contain high levels of Potassium & is low in Calcium. So when you are calculating your fertilizer plan, take out the Potassium & replace with Calcium Nitrate. Apart from the replacement of Calcium Nitrate for Potassium, a further percentage of Calcium Nitrate should be added according to your crop's requirement. (Differs in case of Buffered Materials)
Preparation
After taking the Grows Bag out of their palletized compress form, plants hole should be cut (If not prepared by us as per your request).
The Grows Bag should be placed on flat profile within the greenhouse.
Drip lines should be inserted to the Grow Bags depending on the number of plants planned to be planted per Grow Bag. (Never use a water hose to water as it will damage the structure of the Grow Bag).
Water the Grow Bags using the Drips till the slabs are fully saturated & stop watering just as water tries to come out of the cut plant holes & let for 12 hours
Make adequate Drain holes in the bags to let the water out (Drain holes should be done between every plant hole & at both ends of the bag) & let the added water drain from the bags
Add the fertilizer plan through the Drip till the slabs are fully saturated (approximately 1 liter per plant).
Now you can plant your crop in the Grow Bags
After Planting
The frequent analysis should be performed to ascertain the levels of neutrinos available to the plant.
Based on this analysis you should adjust your fertilizer plan.
After planting your crop give frequent water (short shots), so you will prevent drying out of the media within the grow bag.
If you require controlling the plant growth, you can stop with dripping water for a couple of days, when plants are fully rooted in. However, you should be mindful not to let the media dry out.
Close observation of the plant's growth & by monitoring areas such as rooting, leafs, stem strength & yielding process, will give you an early indication regarding the plant's growth.
Watering
The watering process of Coco Grow Bags needs to be correctly learned to have better results. Coco material is capable of holding higher levels of water than most parallel growing medium.
To get the most efficiency in watering, water should be dropped at a small phase for a longer duration of time to optimize the absorbency to the material.
The level of water required to be dropped is calculated on the consumption level of your crop & the temperature & humidity level within your greenhouse.
Due to the distinct physical structure of Coco material, water absorbency by way of capillary actions delivers the water within the medium at a constant phase.
Make sure that you don't over drop the bags as too much of water will drain away the nutrients & the fine partials in the medium. If over watering continues, it might even lead to mutilation & decay of roots.
The other disadvantage in over watering is that the material at the lower level of the bag will form into a slug, an area without any air porosity, make the roots of the plant draw towards the surface of the bag in search of air, making the plant unstable.
The root development in Coco material is rapid. Watering should be continued until the roots are deeply anchored in the bag. Once the roots are deeply rooted an interval in watering will enable the roots to establish within the grow bag.
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