WHAT IS COCO COIR?

Coco coir is the mesocarp (middle layer) of the coconut drupe which is a thick fibrous layer that is present between the outer layer and hard internal shell. This fibrous coir is widely used in many materials like mattresses, automobile seats, mats, brushes. Besides its use in the upholstery industry, it has also been dragged to the gardening world by recognizing its benefits. The small fibers and pithy dust of coco coir which were once thrown away are now put in usage and have a great demand too.

When it comes to gardening, coco coir is a very friendly product among green thumbs for various reasons. Coco peat is well known for its water retention capacity and is also an easily available water holding product when compared to other products (sphagnum moss) having the same function. It is an excellent soil amendment as it improves the physical properties of the soil. Although it doesn’t have an appreciable nutrient value, it improves the nutrient uptake by the plants. Some of the other benefits of coco coir/peat in gardening are mentioned below. 

Different Coco Coir Products Have Different “Jobs”

Coco Coir is scaled, crushed, chopped or ground, sieved and packaged to serve different purposes within the growing medium. From super-fine Coco Pith to Coco Fiber to Coco Chunks and Husks, each faction serves a different plant-support function.
Although all Coco Peat Products retain more water and aerate better than peat moss, their form (finely ground to chunky) will determine their placement in grow pots.

Fine Coco Pith

Once the larger fibers were removed, Coco Pith is the powdery by-product from the ground husk. Packaged as “Pith,” or sometimes Coco Peat, it is generally shipped in a convenient compressed block.  It has a perfect pH for growing—6.0 to 6.7—unlike peat moss which is acidic and requires other additives to achieve the proper pH balance.

• Easy to use in seedling trays as it is fluffy, non-clumping and does not compact
• Supports rapid, healthy root development with constant moisture and oxygenation
• Virtually odorless, with excellent drainage
• Does not break down rapidly; lasts up to 5 years
• Holds nutrient content, creating a slow release system when watered.

Pith is the exclusive growing medium in most hydroponic and small transplantable grow bags. It is effective mulch for outdoor plants and because of its excellent re-wetting qualities, (unlike peat moss, which once completely dry, is difficult to re-wet) is becoming the preferred soil conditioner for in-ground gardens.

Complex Coco Fiber

Fine Coco Fibers act like tiny capillaries that help evenly distribute moisture and nutrients throughout the Coco Peat mixture. Unlike thick Coco Fibers used to make brooms and scrub brushes, these fibers resemble clumps of fine roots and are most effective when gently pulled apart and separated and then re-distributed throughout the re-hydrated Coco medium.

• Helps aerate the growing media
• Facilitates the movement of water and nutrients more uniformly through the medium
• Keeps moisture level constant within containers, avoiding harmful dry spots
• When used as a soil enhancer, avoids compression in clay soils
• Helps hold moisture when added as an enhancement to sandy soils.

Coco Chips and Shreds

The oxygenation qualities of Coco Chips and Coco Shreds take top billing and when paired with their ability to maintain consistent moisture and nutrient levels without re-wetting. Often referred to as “Coco Fractions”, or Coco Nuggets, these components are far superior to peat moss as their sponge-like qualities do not require “wetting agents” to receive and maintain precision moisture levels.

The chunky irregular shape and size of Coco Chips and Coco Shreds provide air pockets throughout the Coco Coir mixture while also maintaining moisture/nutrients for slow release as needed.