Modern production is developed at such a level that it is not difficult to grow beautiful indoor flowers or seedlings in a greenhouse. Recently, a considerable help to plant growers has a so-called coconut substrate. However, this novelty can not inspire trust to inexperienced gardeners and gardeners. In order to dispel all doubts, we will tell you how to use coconut substrate and, of course, for what it is actually needed.
What is a coconut substrate for?
The coconut substrate is in fact the remains of the peel of coconut nut, ground and mixed with coconut fiber hairs. As a result, a natural reaction of acidity was obtained and an absolutely neutral material, without any chemical impurities. Because of its internal porosity, the coconut substrate has such an excellent property as an excellent water retention, which is very important for a good development of the root system of plants. In addition, microelements contained in coconut fibers and peel make the substance useful. Thus, the coconut substrate can be universally applied for the preparation of excellent soil soil for almost all plants: cultivation of crops, indoor flowers, seedlings.
Coconut substrate - instructions for use
If you are engaged in growing seedlings, you are probably familiar with marsh peat, which is part of the substrate. So the coconut substrate can become an excellent analogue of peat, surpassing its quality. And it's not just micronutrients. Peat during watering gradually undergo shrinkage, coconut - no, and therefore more economical.
According to the instructions, the coconut substrate is prepared for the soil mixture as follows:
- For this purpose, the industry produces special briquettes - pressed coconut fiber. It should be placed in a bucket or any other container on the bottom.
- Then pour 5 liters of warm water (in a cold fiber float and will very long soak). Gradually the briquette will absorb water, swell, soften and become a kind of soil. From one briquette it is usually obtained up to 8 liters of soil.
- It remains to plant seeds in the substrate.
By the way, in addition to briquettes are produced comfortable coconut tablets. If you are going to grow seedlings exclusively in the coconut substrate, we recommend systematically to top dress with a weak solution of complex fertilizers.
Many gardeners recommend the use of coconut substrate for growing seedlings along with fertile soil. They are mixed in the same amount or in a ratio of 1: 2, 1: 3.
If we talk about how to use coconut substrate when diluting indoor flowers, then everything is also quite simple. Those plants that prefer light, loose soils are simply planted in a coconut substrate without any impurities. True, it should be fed periodically with complex fertilizers. For other indoor pets, the substance is used as part of the soil mixture, mixed with soil and sand in equal proportions. In any case, the root system of your flowers will develop intensively, which, naturally, will not fail to affect the overall condition of the flower.
In other cases, coconut substrate is often used in plant growing. First, the substance is perfectly suitable for propagation, especially those representatives of the flora that experience this process is difficult. For mass cultivation, mats made of coconut substrate, wrapped in film, are used. They are easy to place in a greenhouse or outdoors. Plants or their cuttings are placed in a plate in rows, making holes in the film.
In addition, the softened coconut substrate is an excellent material for mulching both indoor and garden plants. Also it can be used as a warmer for plant roots for the winter.