Coconut palm is a valuable gift of nature to man. The indigenous people of Southeast Asia have been using these trees for more than 4,000 years in their daily lives. They provide food, drinks, building material, fiber and fuel. The only part not used until the end of the 20th century was the inside of the coconut peel β the fibrous mesocarp. But he also found application, today with the help of processing coconut fiber has appeared, which has found application in the automotive industry and furniture production. From the waste of this processing, a new product arose - coconut substrate in briquettes. How to use and what is its composition?
Agricultural application
In appearance, the briquette resembles a brown brick. It consists of crushed, dried and pressed coconut shell residues with the addition of lignocel. Such a mixture perfectly repels excess water, is airy, retains its lightness during decomposition and does not cake, contains many useful substances for plants. All this allows the use of coconut substrate in briquettes for seedlings in agriculture.
Most of the owners of personal plots, having come to a specialized store, make a choice in his favor. But many people ask a number of questions, because they donβt know how to use coconut substrate in briquettes. Do you need pre-disinfection, top dressing seedlings, how to use it in open ground, and so on. Little information, since a fairly new product is coconut substrate in briquettes.
How to use for seedlings?
Before use, the briquette is soaked in warm water for 30 minutes. After this time, it swells, increases in volume and breaks up into parts. The large structure and a large amount of air does not allow the composition to coalesce, which has a beneficial effect on the condition and development of young roots. Sow the seeds in a clean coconut substrate. It is important to know that seedlings grow well before picking, after which it is better to plant plants in open ground, where there are all the necessary nutrients for further growth.
Do I need to disinfect?
Does the coconut substrate in briquettes contain harmful bacteria? How to use? Does the seedling in it remain healthy without first neutralizing the microbes? Reviews from experienced gardeners say that you do not need to disinfect it. But for the strength of seedlings, it is better to additionally apply a biological preparation, a solution of which will improve the quality of the soil, providing it with useful microorganisms. Also, this approach promises to suppress the development of certain diseases at the root.
The second way to grow seedlings
Other gardeners recommend, after swelling the substrate and obtaining a loose mass, mix it with the same amount of fertile soil. This mixture is filled in boxes, containers and used for growing seedlings. So that the coconut substrate does not become infected with pathogenic microflora and does not contain weed seeds, the soil prepared for mixing is previously punctured in the oven, you can use the microwave. Before combining with a coconut substrate, the ground can be treated with Fitosporin-M or Gumin preparations, in accordance with the instructions for use. These drugs help protect plants from fungal and bacterial infections.
Benefits for indoor plants
Since the coconut fiber is enriched with mineral fertilizers and trace elements that are necessary for the normal development of plants, the coconut substrate in briquettes, the photo of which you see above, is used for growing indoor flowers. Due to its water-holding properties and the ability to protect the soil from acidification, it is widely used in this area. Also used in mixtures as a draining element. For the soil to become loose, coconut should be about 30% of the total mass.
The acidity of the material is in the range 5.5-6.5, which is a neutral indicator and contributes to the good absorption of nutrients by plants. Coconut substrate in briquettes can have small and large fractions. They are selected based on the requirements for substrate moisture for one or another houseplant. So, the fine fraction dries more slowly under the same conditions. Therefore, care should be taken to prevent waterlogging of the soil. If a large substrate, drying is possible.
Ground preparation for home flowers
So that the product does not deteriorate during transportation, salts and various impurities are often added, such as the coconut substrate in briquettes. How to use if salt is contraindicated in plants? Before use, it should be divided into parts and soaked in warm water, left for 2 hours in a plastic bucket. One briquette allows you to get about 8 liters of finished loose mass.
After swelling of the substrate, it should be thoroughly washed. Take an old tulle curtain or piece of gauze and strain. At least 10 times it is poured with clean water, after each time it is drained. Thus, you get rid of the salts in the coconut. Keep in mind that with harmful elements come out and useful. Also, a smaller fraction can leak through the cheesecloth, but do not get upset, because it prevents air permeability. Dry the substrate if you intend to use it in its pure form.
Mixture for growing violets
Beautiful rosette roses with delicate terry leaves of the senpolia need good nutritious soil. According to amateur gardeners, the coconut substrate in briquettes is quite able to cope with this task. How to use for violets? There are many opinions on this subject. Each mistress of this capricious flower care prefers his own method of preparing the soil.
For example, prepare the substrate as follows:
Coconut substrate and vermiculite are mixed in equal amounts. You can add a little horse peat.
Coconut fiber is taken in equal proportions with peat. This mixture is very good for young plants. For adult violets, Greenworld (2 parts) and vermiculite (1 part) should be added to this mixture.
Coconut substrate, according to reviews of lovers of indoor plants, is great as a baking powder for the earth, but in its pure form is not used, since the water quickly leaves. It is better to water indoor flowers, in particular a violet, from below, through a tray to avoid moisture loss and damage to leaves.
Terrarium
This word means the content and breeding of various insects, spiders, reptiles and reptiles. In order for your pet to be healthy and active, you should create favorable conditions for it that are close to natural. Thanks to its qualities, coconut substrate becomes indispensable in this passion. Since it is almost clean when soaked, it holds moisture well and allows air to pass through. It can be used repeatedly, its qualities will only improve. So, it overheats and a characteristic smell is washed out of it, the consistency becomes loose. For beginners, experienced terrariums are advised to use coconut substrate in briquettes.
How to use for Achatina and spiders?
Pressed substrate should be soaked in hot water until swelling. Then put in a cloth bag and place under running water. It is necessary to rinse, squeezing, until the water becomes clear. A poorly washed coconut has a strong odor, which most snails dislike. Chlorine and potassium salts are present in the non-washed substrate, which will lead to mollusk poisoning. After the water has become light, the substrate is thoroughly squeezed, then one or two days are left in the fresh air for ventilation and drying. Only then can it be decomposed in the terrarium, moistened to the desired state.
The snails are kept in the old "exhausted" substrate, it does not need to be completely replaced with a new one. Once a month, it is washed so that pests are not wound up, pour cool boiling water until it cools, and then it is washed. As necessary, replace the old part with a new one.
This soil for keeping snails is very convenient because it is reusable, loose, and hygroscopic. Its ability to accumulate and gradually give off moisture is a fundamental factor in maintaining natural conditions when they are kept. Itβs very easy to monitor the humidity level, because when it dries, it becomes lighter. These properties make coconut substrate in briquettes very convenient to use. How to use for spiders?
The neutral substrate contributes to the comfortable living of insects, in particular arachnids. A carpet of coconut at any humidity does not change the loose structure and does not form lumps, its shape remains unchanged, therefore it is very convenient for spiders, some species of which dig holes.
Snails lay their eggs almost at the bottom. There is enough soil in the terrarium. The animal should be able to completely dig into it. Since the soil is light, this spider or snail will do without difficulty.
Now you have learned what advantages a coconut substrate has in briquettes, how to use it for snails and spiders, and also as a soil for growing plants.