Benefits of Coconut Soil

Some refuse to use coco soil for growing seedlings. The reason: there are too many large particles and fibers in the substrate. Let's understand all the nuances and find out the positive aspects of this unique natural product.

Choosing a faction

For personal subsidiary farms, a series of substrates in briquettes is produced. They are lightweight - a huge plus in terms of ease of transportation. But when swelling, the briquette increases six times! We add it to the main soil mixture and we get many times more loose moisture-absorbing soil for sowing seeds for seedlings. Just keep in mind: in this case, you need to choose fine coco-soil. In its pure form, it is ideal for rooting cuttings..

If you want to preserve the rhizomes, bulbs and cuttings, buy a mixture of medium fraction with an admixture of chopped fibers and chips. It is a fairly moisture-absorbing and at the same time breathable substrate. The coarse fraction with the addition of coconut chips is excellent for storing tubers and mulching the root zone of plants (including for winter insulation).

Flower seedlings will be strong

Before sowing seeds, briquettes are laid out in a tray (tazike) or on plastic wrap.

Poured with water from a watering can with a strainer (by 1 -2 l for each block). After a couple of minutes, repeat.

Loose coco soil is filled in pots or cassettes (or add the substrate to the universal soil mixture for seedlings).

Pure coconut is practically sterile, therefore it must be saturated with fertilizers (1 -2 g calcium nitrate per 1 l of water). After a day, the substrate is refilled again (1 g complex fertilizer + 0,5 g calcium nitrate). Coco soil is ready for growing flowers!

IMPORTANT

Unlike peat, coconut substrate can be easily saturated with water when it dries.. At the same time, it cannot be waterlogged.: excess water always flows out through the drain holes.

Coco soil has a pH, close to neutral, which is good for most plants.

Culture, grown on soil mixtures with the addition of coconut, less prone to root rot.

Beauty and convenience

For mulching near-trunk circles, try using a special pre-made coconut fiber cover. It protects the soil and roots from drying out, overheating, inhibits weed growth, maintains a neat look of the plant for several seasons. The shelter is also suitable for tub crops. It absolutely does not interfere with watering. My advice! In the garden around the tree, you can first lay the mown grass in a layer 5-6 cm, on distance 2-3 cm from the trunk. And then build a shelter from above.

The grass underneath will gradually rot, and the plant - to receive additional feeding.

© Author: Elizaveta Prokasheva

Coconut soil for flower seedlings – REVIEWS

COCONUT SOIL TURNED BETTER!

I discovered the benefits of coconut soil several years ago, when he first started showing up in garden stores. I also bought briquettes, and minitablets. And they, and others on 30% consist of coconut flakes and 70% - from coconut fiber. The seller told, that such a substrate is neutral (pH — 5, 5-6, 5) and contains all the chemical elements necessary for plants (nitrogen, phosphorus, ka⁇ liy, copper, zinc). And if you soak a briquette weighing 1 Kg, it turns out about 7 l coconut substrate, completely ready for sowing seeds.

Highlighted other benefits:

• this substrate is environmentally friendly;
• perfectly retains moisture and does not compress, as peat-based soils;
• kept 3-4 of the year;
• retains heat well;
• sterile, there are no pests in it, pathogens and weed seeds;
• Universal: it can be used as a leavening agent in seedling soil, or as a full-fledged substitute for soil;
• can be used twice;
• when diving noticed, that seedlings from a coconut substrate have a more developed root system and are easier to transplant, than plants from seeds, sown in earthen soil.

true, if you sow pepper seeds, tomatoes and saintpaulias in ready-made dry coconut briquettes, plants will feel bad, stay in development and get sick. To prevent this from happening, soak the substrate in warm water, I wash the swollen mass several times, wring out, dry, before sowing seeds, I spill it with heated water. As a result, seedlings develop much better..

EXPRESS ADVICE IRINA MELNIKOVA

I disinfect the soil for seedlings like this. I fill plastic seedling pots with drainage holes with soil and spill abundantly with boiling water. On top I throw a thick film or oilcloth and leave it to cool completely. During this time, excess moisture drains. The pots are completely ready to receive seeds!

Larisa DUBLEVSKAYA