High T.C.!
thank you for the compliment
.
What prompted me is that it's unique as a medium, and it provides all the benefits that I want/need in a medium.
Nothing wrong with using other media. I plan to continue using them, but if I want faster speed, bigger yields, both *excellent* aeration and water retention, less risk of pests, built-in hormones that benefit the roots, increased protection for the roots from heat, increased resistance to fungal infections, excellent matrix for root stability, excellent wettability, excellent wicking, and probably other things I'm leaving out, there's only one medium that can do all that, coco coir.
Growers experienced with it, like CocoJoe, have found it extremely forgiving once they learned it's ins and outs.
It's an active medium, with a learning curve, but as I mentioned in another thread, that learning curve isn't due to having to compensate for weaknesses, it's to learn how to exploit it's benefits, which are considerable.
are you sorry you asked?
I hope not, cause here's more, lol:
Coco coir is a proven best alternative to any growing media. Its use as a growing medium outperforms any other medium used for growing vegetables, ornamentals and tree plants. Its soft structure promotes easy root penetration and healthy growth. Coco coir is 100% environmentally friendly. It is a renewable resource that is consistent in quality. Coco coir has the best physical and chemical properties to promote better plant growth.
- Coco has high water-holding capacity. It can hold water up to eight times of its weight and release it over a period of time.
- Coco has ideal pH in the range of 6-6.7
- It has excellent drainage and air porosity for better plant growth
- Coco is very low in EC and carries mostly potassium salts, which is an essential major plant nutrient
- Cation exchange capacity is very good
- Coco coir has some anti-fungal properties that help plants to get rid of soil borne diseases. It inhibits pathogens like Pithium
- Coco is very easy to re-hydrate after being dehydrated
- It is a biodegradable source that degrades very slowly and has a life of three to four years
- Contains significant amounts of phosphorous (10-50ppm) and potassium (150-450 ppm)
As mentioned above Coco coir is not just a natural product with very good properties for plant growth - it also has some winning advantages over other growing mediums.
Advantages of Coco Coir
- It is a 100% renewable resource
- Coco coir is light in weight
- It is consistent in high quality
- Coco coir is completely environmentally friendly
- The top of the product layer in grow bags/pots always remain dry, leaving behind no chances of fungal growth
- Coco coir never shrinks, cracks or produces crust
- It promotes better root systems in a short time
- Coco coir is odorless, pleasant to handle, and uniform in composition
I would take issue about the "consistent in quality" point.
It's far from consistent in quality. So while it's gotten more consistent in quality, I'd suggest rinsing the hell out of it if you're in doubt, or going with one of the few brands that definitely rinse and prep it properly before packaging it.
Oh, and it's only pleasant to handle if you're into wookies, lol.
Thats one of many things I love about these forums. Always seems to be an abundance of good info. Later!
