An organic material from the inner husk of the coconut. It provides an ideal medium for roots, with high aeration and water retention.
Coco coir is an organic material from the inner face of the husk of coconuts. From these fruits, long filamentous fibres of different sizes and thicknesses are extracted, which are then cut into certain sizes or ground into a granular powder.
Answering the question of what coco coir is used for in plants, we will say that it provides an ideal medium for the establishment of the roots of all kinds of plants, has a high degree of aeration and a high water retention capacity.
What is coco coir substrate?
It is a growing medium that uses only coco coir as a substrate. This produces a well-aerated substrate that favours the growth of roots, stems and flowers. Unlike other substrates, coco coir does not compact when it dries and contains a large amount of lignin, which encourages the appearance of microorganisms beneficial to plant roots.
Benefits of coco coir in crops
Among the most notable benefits of coco coir in crops is its medium acidity level, which lies between values of 5.5 and 6.2, which is suitable for most crops. This substrate is able to retain nutrients and release them gradually. So, thanks to its balance between aeration and water retention, it prevents problems caused by excess moisture.
Differences between peat and coco coir
Peats are more or less decomposed organic substances extracted from lake terrains. They contain high levels of organic matter and retain more water than coir, but at the same time they tend to compact, which reduces root oxygenation. Coco coir, on the other hand, although it retains less water, maintains porosity, allowing roots to find a healthier medium in which to develop.
Where coco coir is obtained from
Coco coir is a material extracted from the inner face of the fruits of the Cocos Nucifera coconut palm. Once processed, three fibre products suitable for growing plants are made from it: chips, coco coir and coco peat. Obtaining it poses no environmental problem, since only the fruits of the coconut palm are used, which is able to produce a large quantity of coconuts each year.
How to use coco coir on plants
We can use coco coir as the sole substrate in hydroponic systems, as it meets the requirements of good water retention, good oxygenation and low weight. It is also used as an amendment or improvement of other substrates to provide greater aeration and drainage capacity.
