Tips and Tricks When Using Coco Products
Coco or coir is the outside layer of coconut husks. Coco also comes in a range of different products – from small to large compressed bricks. Coir pith consists of a mixture of shorter fibres and corklike particles ranging in size from granules to fine dust.
High quality horticultural coco is now recognised as a superior growth media for soilless crops on both a small and commercial scale and many of the initial problems have been overcome by correct processing of the raw product and adjustment or pre-treatment before packaging. High quality coco substrates on the market for soilless cropping have often been specifically processed for this use right from the point of removal from the coconuts, through to preconditioning, buffering and pre-treatment.
1. Always invest in a good quality coco.
2. Select the right nutrient product.
3. Select the right type of coco product.
4. Remember that coco is a `living substrate’ and it should be treated as an entire eco-system which consists of beneficial microbes who make their home in the coco particles.
5. Coco usually maintains pH within an optimal range.