Using your coconut fiber plant pots is easy and takes just a few basic steps:
- Place the pots in a tray where excess water can seep out.
- Add soil to the coir pots. ...
- Sow your seeds in the soil.
- Water the coir pots.
- Cover the tray to retain the moisture and create a humid environment for your plants to start growing.
How do you plant a coir planter?
Choose a coir liner that fits into the basket snugly without moving around. Fill the interior of the coil liner with potting soil. Use enough potting soil to reach to the top of the liner, but don't overflow it. Arrange the seedlings in the top of the planter, and plant them at the appropriate depth for their variety.
Can You compost coco coir in pots?
Nothing compliments a home or garden more than lush greenery, and coco peat is the perfect material in which to grow healthy plants. However, being a relatively unknown composting option, many people aren’t entirely sure how best to use coco coir in pots.
How do you use coir dust to grow plants?
Use coir dust instead of potting soil, peat moss or other seed-starting material. Fill small plant pots with coir dust and plant seeds. Keep the growing seedlings moist, but don't over-water them. Coir dust is extremely absorbent, so check down inside the planter to determine if it truly needs watering.
Are coir-lined planters good for plants?
An added bonus of coir-lined planters is that once the plants grow too large for the planter, you can pop them out with the liner and plant directly into the ground. Since coir is a natural organic fibre, it will simply decompose over time. In fact, sustainable plant nurseries are using coir plant pots to replace the more standard plastic pots.
How do you plant in coir?
0:042:32How to Use Coco Coir for Planting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd propagating cuttings all you're going to need is cocoa coir perlite. And a bucket of water theMoreAnd propagating cuttings all you're going to need is cocoa coir perlite. And a bucket of water the number one problem people have with growing is inconsistent watering and this mixture.
Can I grow plants in just coco coir?
You can grow almost any plant in coco coir as the material acts just like any other potting soil or peat. As long as you know what you are doing, almost all plants will benefit from being planted in coco coir. You can use coco coir to grow everything from exotic plants, to even more common plants and flowers.
How do you water coir pots?
Fill-up the hole with soil so the top of the coir pot is covered with a thin layer of garden soil, which prevents moisture-wicking problems. Check soil moisture near the plant every other day. Stick your finger into the soil, 1 to 2 inches away from the stem. Water the plant if the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry.
Can you use just coco coir as potting soil?
Create your own potting mix: Simply replace the peat in this recipe with coconut coir for a more environmentally-friendly blend. Coconut coir can also be used to lighten standard potting mixes for orchids, cacti, and other plants that prefer lighter and airier soil.
What are the disadvantages of coir?
The most common problem with coir is it can have an extremely high salt content, especially in lower grades. Coir high in salts should be leached before use. Coir has a lower cation-exchange capacity and it is high in phosphorous and potassium.
Should I water coco every day?
The frequency of watering depends on the evaporation and the water supply in the COCO. A common rule is; one daily watering is sufficient during the first few weeks under normal circumstances; then increase up to 2 times a day; 2 hours after the lamps have been turned on and 2 hours before they are switched off again.
Can roots grow through coir?
Coco coir can still be an excellent product to grow plants in, and if used correctly, your plants will develop strong roots that will maximise the number of nutrients the plant can uptake from other sources.
Do roots grow through fibre pots?
In fibre pots, roots can push through the pot sides. As this occurs they are air-pruned, which promotes even root distribution and plants don't become pot-bound. Another advantage is the plant, along with the fibre pot, can go straight into the ground.
Can you overwater coco coir?
The sponge will remain damp and coco can still appear wet without having enough available water to give to the plant. Constantly watering coco results in over-watering. When using coco, there is a need to water at a minimum of 50% dry.
Does coco coir need perlite?
No. It does not. Adding perlite to coco coir has its fair share of upsides and downsides, but the benefits clearly outweigh the few shortcomings. You will notice improved plant growth and a significant increase in yields as part of the benefits of mixing perlite with coco coir.
Does coco coir need to be washed?
High quality Coco Coir should be washed thoroughly until an E.C of below 1mS/cm is reached. Even after washing, there will still be Sodium and Potassium in the fibres of the Coco Coir which can only be removed through buffering.
Is coco coir better than soil?
When compared with soil, coco tends to dry out a lot quicker, meaning your plants will need to be watered more frequently. Key benefits of opting for growing in coco include high yields and quick harvest, additional room for root development and pH neutral values.
Does coco coir need perlite?
No. It does not. Adding perlite to coco coir has its fair share of upsides and downsides, but the benefits clearly outweigh the few shortcomings. You will notice improved plant growth and a significant increase in yields as part of the benefits of mixing perlite with coco coir.
What grows well in coconut coir?
You can use coir just like peat moss. It often comes pressed into bricks, which have to be soaked to break them apart. The product is also found ground into dust, which is called coir dust, and is used to grow many exotic plants such as ferns, bromeliads, anthurium, and orchids.
How long can seedlings grow in coco coir?
2-3 weeksGenerally, the seedling in coco can do well up to 2-3 weeks without feeding – just provide them ample water.
Can you overwater in coco?
Constantly watering coco results in over-watering. When using coco, there is a need to water at a minimum of 50% dry. Sometimes 70% dry might be better especially during the first weeks, when most roots are formed. After all, the roots also need oxygen and where there is water there is no air.
How to grow a coir plant?
1. Use coir dust instead of potting soil, peat moss or other seed-starting material. Fill small plant pots with coir dust and plant seeds. Keep the growing seedlings moist, but don't over-water them. Coir dust is extremely absorbent, so check down inside the planter to determine if it truly needs watering.
How to grow a plant from coir dust?
Use coir dust instead of potting soil, peat moss or other seed-starting material. Fill small plant pots with coir dust and plant seeds. Keep the growing seedlings moist, but don't over-water them. Coir dust is extremely absorbent, so check down inside the planter to determine if it truly needs watering.
How to make a new lawn with coir dust?
Mix coir dust into the soil when you are creating a new lawn. Dig it into the top 8 inches of the soil to condition the dirt and create a more welcome bed for your new grass seed or sod. The coir dust will allow roots to move more easily through tough clay soil, and will absorb and hold more water. This will cut down on the amount of watering you need to do to the lawn, while giving you a healthier yard.
What is coconut coir?
The thin pith layer of the coconut, known as coir, is an absorbent and long-lasting material that's ideal for use in planters. Traditional coir (pronounced CORE) planting uses the long coir fibers to create a mat with which to line wire planters. Since the 1980s, growers have used coir dust as a superior alternative to peat moss ...
How to keep weeds out of bushes?
Spread a 3-inch layer of coir dust around bushes and other landscaping plants as a mulch layer. The coir dust will shade out budding weed seedlings, plus retain a large amount of moisture, reducing the need for watering.
Can you throw away old coir?
Don't throw away old coir used in planters. Dig it into your garden to condition the soil.
Why is coir good for gardening?
Coir is an excellent material for gardening because it holds moisture but still allows air to pass through. It is also resistant to pests and decay. Use our 5-step coir basket growing guide to create a basket of your own and ensure that your plants stay hydrated without developing rot or fungus.
How to make a hanging basket?
Press the soil against the bottom and the sides of your basket to create a firm foundation. This will make it easier to cut slits for the seedlings. Lightweight soil is ideal for hanging baskets because it ensures that they aren’t too heavy.
Can you use coir to line a basket?
Decide whether you want a hanging basket or a standing pot. You can use a basket made entirely of coir or use coir to line an existing basket or basket frame.
WHAT IS COCO PEAT?
Coco peat is created from coco coir, which in simple terms is the layer of pith that surrounds the husk of a coconut. In recent years many green-fingered people have cottoned on to coco coir’s excellent plant growing abilities, as well as its eco-friendly characteristics, in particular being the go to choice as a peat-free compost.
BENEFITS TO USING COCO PEAT IN POTS
The primary benefit of coco coir and peat is how environmentally friendly it is, especially in comparison to other compost options such as peat moss. Created from the layer of pith inside a coconut, it is a completely natural by-product that would otherwise be discarded, making it one of the most sustainable planting options on the market.
HOW TO PLANT IN POTS
Using coco coir to grow potted plants is relatively easy once you know what makes it different from conventional composts. Arriving to you as a compacted solid ‘brick’, coco coir simply needs to be soaked in water for at least an hour, where it will expand by up to seven times its original size.
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF WHEN USING COCO PEAT
Whilst using coco coir to grow in pots comes with its advantages, there are a few things to be aware of in order to obtain optimum results.
How do I use coco coir in planter pots?
The best use of coco coir for potted plants is to mix it with potting soil.
How to prepare coir for hydroponics?
You’ll want to prepare the coir as you normally would for use in hydroponics. That means soaking it to loosen it up and remove any pre-existing salt buildup. Then , break it apart into pieces.
Can you mix coir with potting soil?
Once the coir is prepared, you can mix it about 50-50 with potting soil in your planter. Different indoor growers have experimented with various ratios. But what you don’t want is too much coir because it retains water and will not allow the planter pot to drain properly.
Is coconut coir renewable?
Compared to peat moss, though, coconut coir has the benefits of being less expensive and being a more renewable resource, meaning you won’t need to worry about it running out in the near future.
Is coco coir good for hydroponics?
If you’re already using coco coir in your hydroponic setup, you also know it’s great for retaining moisture.
Can you use coco coir in soil?
You can try using different ratios of coco coir to soil to see what works best for your particular plants.
What is the pH of coco coir?
Coco coir has a neutral pH value that’s typically between 5.2 and 6.8. This makes it a versatile choice for plants of nearly any variety. The coir is also rich in nutrients like iron, potassium, copper, and zinc. Coir’s high cation exchange rate allows it to readily supply these nutrients to plants that it comes into contact with.
Is coco coir biodegradable?
They’re made exclusively from natural materials and will return easily to the earth once they break down. This means that you can quickly and easily drop these pots into the ground when you’re ready to transplant your plants to an outdoor garden or larger pots. This minimizes the trauma to the plant, allowing it to keep its root system intact.
1. Water Holding Ability of Coco Coir
Coco coir has excellent water holding capacity while still promoting good drainage and aeration. Unlike peat, moss coir is 100% biodegradable. As an average coconut tree produces 150 coconuts in a year, there is a continuous supply of coir. It is said that peat bogs take like 25 years to renew, while Coco coir is constant.
2. Coco coir pots allow the roots to grow freely
The texture of the coir pots allows the water and air to penetrate quickly. Due to this, the roots can breathe, and there is no concussion of roots. Coir also helps in the diffusion of water and air, which helps the roots, to permeate the walls of the pots with complete ease.
3. Repotting or transplanting is very easy
Simply dig and transplant the whole coco coir pot into the ground or re-pot it in a big container, without the hassle of coiling and tangling of roots. The pot will disintegrate all by itself. Isn’t this easy?
4. Beneficial pH Value
pH value of coir is neutral i.e. between 5.2 and 6.8. On the contrary peat moss is considered acidic as its pH value is of 3.3 to 4. Thus, coco coir pots are ready to use for most plants without adding lime. Nutritionally, coco coir is rich in potassium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc.
5. Coco Coir is Packed with Nutrients
Coconut fibre is rich in hormones and bio-stimulants that encourage plant growth. When grown in coir pots the plants benefit from those natural growth enhancers. As coir is compaction resistant and does not break down, it lasts as much as three times longer when compared to peat moss. Most importantly coir is an economical choice.
6. Use Coco Coir as a Potting Medium
Coir can be used as the soil, and it is available in a ready-to-use form in bags. It is also available in tightly packed, lightweight bricks, that can be expanded up to six times the original size - simply by adding water. Even if you end up adding too much water, don’t worry, excess water just drains off.
7. Using Coco Coir for Hydroponics Systems
As we mentioned earlier that you could use coir for hydroponics too. All you need to do is choose coir that is hydroponic particular. Then, rinse the coir well because it is naturally high in salts. Rinse until the water running off from it is evident. After rinsing, the coir will clump.
How is coco coir made?
Coco coir is manufactured using fiber that’s torn from coconut shells. The tiny grains of coir are extracted from the coconut shell and pulverized into a packable growing substrate. First, the coconuts go through the retting process, a curing method that naturally decomposes the husk’s pulp.
What are the different types of coco coir?
Basic Types Of Coco Coir. There are three basic types of processed coco coir: pith, fiber or chips. Using a mixture of the different types has its benefits. Coco pith, or peat, looks similar to peat moss but is a rich, brown color.
What Are The Drawbacks Of Using Coco Coir?
Any grow medium has its limitations, and you have to understand the traits of coco coir to ensure you develop the best crop possible.
Why is coco coir pH balanced?
Learn why maintaining a balanced coco coir pH is so important here. Minimizes harmful pathogens and reduces the risk of pests: This medium boasts antifungal properties, which keeps the roots happy. It can repel some pests, meaning your grow is easier to maintain.
What is coco coir?
Coco coir is a byproduct of coconut fiber. It was first used in gardening in the West in the 19th century, but fell out of favor because the low-quality coco available at the time degraded when used for short-term growing.
Why do you treat coir bales?
Chemical treatment: At the end of the drying process, coir bales might be treated with chemical agents to ensure pathogens didn’t bloom inside. Learning how it was treated may help you manage your crop, since the chemical residue could affect plant growth. Read the product label or refer to the manufacturer’s website to learn more.
Does coco coir have water retention?
Plenty of room for the root system: Coco coir offers a rare combination of excellent water retention, reliable drainage and ideal aeration. It gives the roots plenty of room, allowing for optimum air exposure.
What is coir made of?
Made from the tough fibres surrounding the inner shell of the coconut, coir is a very popular material for hanging baskets, pots, and soil improvement. But it seemed so unwieldy, with the texture of thick knotted hair.
How long does coir last?
Coir is also naturally durable and resists rotting. It stores well in a dry covered place for years. I will be monitoring the display over time to see just how long it will last, and I will certainly be using more coir lining in the near future.
Do coir nappies dry out?
The coir does have a tendency to dry out quickly, especially in warmer climates. So nappies at the bottom lock some of the moisture in, similarly to water-retaining granules. But once watered, coir does reabsorb water easily. I decided to skip the nappies in this year’s planter design. I didn’t have any on me anyway!
Can you pop coir out of a planter?
An added bonus of coir-lined planters is that once the plants grow too large for the planter, you can pop them out with the liner and plant directly into the ground. Since coir is a natural organic fibre, it will simply decompose over time.
Are coir liners really the answer?
From the looks of last year’s planters, it was clear that the coir fibres had been pulled apart in all directions. At first, I thought it might have been the natural result of these planters being subjected to rains and winds. But I found that these liners can also start to look tatty when birds take bits away to make their nests. Very clever, and I wouldn’t blame them. It does come apart quite easily!
WHICH TYPE OF COCO COIR SHOULD YOU USE?
Coco coir manufactured for gardening is sold in three different forms: pith/peat, fibre and chips.
COCO COIR QUALITY
Coco coir is an industrially produced product: it goes through many processes and phases of manufacture before arriving at the store. As with all manufactured products, the quality of what the consumer receives will vary depending on the processes and raw materials used.
HEALTHY COCO COIR SUBSTRATE
Coco coir is an inert growing substance, with a pH level near neutral. It is essentially a ‘blank slate’ for anything put into it. This suits some plants, but not all will thrive unless this balance is altered slightly.
