Currently, with great awareness about the environment, green thumbs have been looking for friendly methods to gardens that are environmentally acceptable.
Coconut Coir Fibers is a by-product referred to as Coco Peat Bricks which has taken the modern gardens by storm.
These compacted blocks give maximum water holding, good air circulation (aeration), resistant to plant diseases and make environmentally friendly growing of strong plants (trees).
To begin with, let’s find out how the Coco Peat Bricks are giving rise to a new era in gardening on eco-friendly grounds.
What is Coco Peat Bricks?
Coir peat soil is similar to coir peat bricks which are brick-like blocks that are made from the fiber husk of coconuts.
The outer part of the coconut commonly referred to as husk or coir is mostly discarded when the coconut is harvested for edible fruit and water.
The fiber is then removed from the peats and shredded to form coco peat bricks. Thereafter, these fibers are packed into brick-like forms through either molding machines or hand presses. These bricks are often similar in size and density, thereby making them easy to store, transport, and use.
Coco peat blocks have become increasingly sought after as an eco-friendly replacement for peats in potting. Peat moss comes from natural peat bogs that are exhaustible resources, as well as have high level of damage in case of reclamation.
Unlike coco peat, however, it is regarded as an eco-friendly alternative since it uses a coconut palm by-product that fosters its sustainable application.
Coco peat bricks are dry and compressed, as such they are easily manageable and can be stored conveniently.
These have relatively low weight to enable easy movement during distribution as well as usability in different garden functions.
When exposed to water, the bricks start to expand, breaking up and thereby creating loose cocopeat that is used as growing media or soil bulking material.
Coco peat bricks are known for superb water holding capability and plants can still get enough moisture during drought if such a problem arises thus minimizing the need for frequent watering.
They additionally promote soil air circulation hence avoidance of water-logging while improving roots development. Coco peat also has a natural antifungal property and therefore offers some protection against soil-borne diseases.
In general, coco peat bricks are becoming a common option among earth friendly gardeners who are looking for eco-friendly and efficient options of plant development and soil amending.
There are a variety of advantages that put them among multi-purpose green innovations in horticulture practices today.
Benefits of Coco Peat Bricks?
Gardeners and horticulturists have been drawn to the use of Coco Peat Bricks because they are numerous advantages associated with it. Here are some of the key benefits of using Coco Peat Bricks.
1. Exceptional Water Retention:
Coco Peat Bricks function as a sponge taking in and storing water. The storage ability allows a good and stable supply of moisture and reduces the consumption by irrigation and consequently conservation of water resources.
2. Optimal Aeration:
Coco Peat bricks has a light and airy texture, which allows for good aeration in the soils. It also prevents soil compression hence allowing roots to grow healthily and for ease in absorption of nutrients by the plants.
3. pH-Neutral Nature:
The PH neutral characteristics of coco peat bricks make it ideal for use with many types of plants. The fact that Coco Peat is unlike some other growing media which do not change the pH of the soil makes it a better option.
4. Sustainable and Renewable:
Coco Peat Bricks is environmental friendly since it is developed from coconut waste, a waste product of the coconut industry.
This renewable energy source helps to reduce the demand of non-renewable alternatives such as peat moss.
5. Natural Disease Resistance:
In addition, coco peat bricks have inbuilt anti-fungal qualities making them resistant to soil borne diseases.
In addition, these coco peat bricks carry inborn qualities that make it difficult for fungi to grow on them. It ensures that the garden remains healthy, minimizing disease spread among plants.
6. Improved Soil Structure:
Due to increased porosity and better drainage when mixed with soil, Coco Peat Brick enhances soil structure. It leads to the development of open, porous, and dry soil with good permeability required for root penetration.
7. Biodegradable and Eco-Friendly:
Eco-conscious gardeners would rather use compostable Coco Peat Bricks that contribute to sustainability in addition to being environmental friendly.
8. Versatile Growing Medium:
In addition to being suitable for seed starting or container gardening, coco peats bricks can also work well in hydroponic or improving garden soils.
9. Reduced Weight:
In comparison with the conventional growing media such as soil, Coco Peat Bricks is more portable. Their portability is also helpful as it facilitates maneuverability and ease of handling in big gardens and while relocating with containers.
10. Long Shelf Life:
When adequately preserved, Coco Peat Bricks have got a high durability. These are beneficial properties which last to long making them cheap choice for long term garden project.
11. Low Salinity Content:
Besides that, Coco Peat Bricks are highly soluble in water and have low salt concentrations hence reduced chances of increased soil salinity. It proves especially useful in cases where vegetation is sensitive to sodium ions accumulation.
12. Promotes Root Health:
Stronger and healthier plants develop from the well-water retained and aerated Coco Peat bricks to achieve this outcome.
13. Economical:
Coco Peat bricks are a more affordable growing medium, in comparison to others that belong to the super-premium range. They are recyclable, have a long life and offer good value for money.
14. Suitable for Organic Gardening:
These bricks suitable for organic gardening as unlike other harmful chemicals and synthetic additives.
Coco Peat Brick Price
The cost of Coco-peat bricks is dependent on such elements such as the level of quality, size of brick, place of buying and the supplier.
Usually, Coco Peat Bricks come in varying sizes that can cater for domestic gardens as well as commercial scale projects. The demand and availability of coconut coir also affect the price.
Until September 2021, I knew that a brick of coco peat cost up to $2, depending on its size and the number of bricks bought. For example, bulk purchase of bricks like buying wholesale might give discounts and lower the costing.
Therefore, it is important to compare prices from different sources and look at aspects of quality and reputation before buying coco peat bricks.
Also worth noting is that since I last updated the prices might have changed hence I advise you to check with your local garden centers, online gardening stores and the agricultural suppliers for the current prices.
Best Coco Peat Bricks Company
- NUSAGRO. Ltd. (Indonesia)
- Coco Green Pvt. Ltd. (India)
- Coco & Coir (India)
- Brista Coco Products (India)
- Dutch Plantin (The Netherlands)
- GrowBag Slabs (Sri Lanka)
- Premier Agro Products (India)
- Coco Green Lanka (Sri Lanka)
- Cocopeat Lanka (Sri Lanka)
- Ravi Brista (India)
However, this is not a full and up-to-date list. There are many other exporters of this product like Mega Indo Group (MIG) that exports Coco peat from Indonesia.
We suggest that you should check some export data directories or a trade directory for an updated list of companies exporting coco peat bricks.
Moreover, one can always write to industry associations or trade bodies in connection with horticultural products and agriculture so as to get some clues and contacts on how to export coco peat bricks.
Making Coco Peat Bricks
The process of making Coco Peat Bricks is easy and straightforward. As a matter of fact, anyone could do it with few tools or resources required for such. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make Coco Peat Bricks:
1. Collect Coconut Coir:
Coconut coir is a fibrous tissue obtained from coconut husk. Coconut coir is often available in garden supply stores or directly supplied by coconut processing plants within your locality.
2. Soak the Coir:
Put plenty of water into your container and then place the coconut coir into this container of water. Leave it like that for about one day to one and half days. This involves the use of coir that absorbs water as it expands during this period.
3. Drain the Excess Water:
Drain excess water after soaking and expanded coconut coir. Wring out any extra water using one’s hands so that the coir is not excessively wet.
4. Compress the Coir:
The coir can be compressed into brick shaped blocks via a manual or mechanical press following this process. You can fill the bricks in a mold if you don’t have access to a press. Push hard for the coir to maintain its form.
5. Drying the Bricks:
After the coir has been squeezed into bricks, let it dry in the sun. Arrange the bricks, ensuring that they are well exposed to the sun on a clean and dry floor.
The duration of drying may depend on the weather conditions though bricks becomes completely dry in just a few days.
6. Store the Coco Peat Bricks:
Leave the Coco Peat Bricks to dry out before storing them in a cool and dry place until needed for use. Coco Peat Bricks should be properly kept, as they can retain their benefits for a long time.
However, the quality of the Coco Peat Brick will be highly dependent on its coconut coir and the compression techniques employed.
In large scale production, specialized machines are available that help in the production of uniform Coco Peat bricks.
The Coco Peat Bricks are the perfect alternative for the conventional peat moss, which is a great choice in a more sustainable manner.
When producing your own bricks out of coco peat, you will guarantee good quality and reuse a waste product for a more eco-friendly approach.
Using Coco Peat Bricks in Gardening:
Gardening with a Coco Peat brick enables one to discover new opportunities in his garden whether he is an expert or a beginner.
Coco Peat bricks are unique because they comprise one of the best growing media that are friendly to mother earth. Let’s explore how to use Coco Peat Bricks effectively in different gardening applications.
1. Seed Starting:
A good starting medium is Coco Peat Brick when it comes to seedling. Hydrate them by soaking them until they are fully expanded to use for seed-starting.
Shuffle the Coco Peat for even hydration. Rehydrate the coco peat and sow your seeds in fill seed trays or containers. Coco Peat supports germination under moist conditions and enhances resistance to diseases.
2. Container Gardening:
Coco peat bricks are suitable as potting media for container gardening. Combine reconstituted Coco Peat with other soil amendments like compost, perlite, or vermiculite to achieve a balanced potting mix. Put this mix in your containers and move your plants. For container gardening, one of the most popular material for nurseries is the coco peat because its lightweight and water holdings properties.
3. Raised Beds:
Introduce Coco Peat Bricks in your raised bed garden for better soil structure and water holding capacity.
Combine the aerated Coco Peat with garden soil and compost to get a suitable, well-drained growing mixture for your raised beds.
4. Hydroponics:
The use of coco peat bricks as a substrate in hydroponics is highly recommended as one strategy of reducing the environmental impacts associated with synthetic pesticides.
Revitalize the bricks into your hydroponic system, acting as a water retainant and fertile media for root development of plants. Antifungal property of Coco Peat also creates a conducive condition for a healthy hydroponic environment.
5. Soil Amendment:
Combine garden soil with Coco Peat Bricks in order to strengthen the structure and water holding ability of the soil mix. This will enhance soil aeration as well as nutrient retention for a healthy growth of plants in the Coco Peat.
6. Mulching:
Spread the Coco Peat around your plants in order to limit the amount of water which is lost through evaporation and curtail the growth of weeds. Organic matter will be added to soil step by step as the mulch dissolves.
7. Transplanting:
Put the roots in a wet Coco Peat to help adaptation of plant and give it a good environment for growth.
8. Indoor Gardening:
Indoor garden can also utilize this product. Make use of rehydrated Coco Peat and add perlite or others amendments to create small potting mixes that are applicable for houseplants or herbs to enable proper drainage.
Coco Peat Bricks have high water retention, good aeration qualities and are naturally resistant to diseases, which make them one of the most important elements in every garden.
First, these plants are sustainable and environmentally friendly, which conforms with ecological gardening, while secondly, they can be grown using different techniques.
You might be green hand but you still need to think of your garden in an environmentally friendly way so even if you are a professional gardener there will be better way to improve your gardening skills and environment by using coco peat bricks for green hand gardening.
FAQ:
1. What comprises cocopeat bricks?
Coco-Peat bricks are produced using coconut coir which is a natural and renewable product obtained from the fibers of the husks of the coconuts.
This includes taking out coir fibers from an external section of coconuts, washing, drying and finally pressing them up to create blocks which can be used like bricks.
The reason why Coco Peat Bricks are commonly used in gardening is that they have higher water-holding capacity, better air ventilation, and eco-friendliness compared to conventional soil/peat moss.
Conclusion:
A new revolution is being witnessed in gardening with regard to coco peat bricks. Coir blocks come from sustainable starting points, displaying water wonders diseases resilient traits and improve the whole gardening process.
Adding coco peat to your gardening process not only boosts the well-being of your plants, but it also helps save nature’s invaluable assets.
Eco conscious individuals, this is the right time to unlock the powers of coco peats for your garden.
