To grow plants using cocopeat as the primary medium, you cannot use cocopeat alone; you must add fertilizer. While cocopeat provides excellent water retention, it lacks the necessary nutrients for plant growth.
Why Cocopeat Alone Isn't Sufficient
Cocopeat, derived from coconut husks, is a popular soilless growing medium known for its ability to retain moisture and provide good aeration to plant roots. However, it is largely inert when it comes to nutrients. As highlighted in the reference:
"You have to add some kind of fertilizer liquid fertilizer is going to work out really well apart from water retention. It has nothing uh. Nothing that can hold apart from that cocopeat."
This confirms that beyond holding water, cocopeat offers no significant nutrients to support plant life. Plants require essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients, which are not present in sufficient quantities in cocopeat.
The Essential Role of Fertilizer
Since cocopeat itself doesn't supply nutrients, you must provide them through fertilization. Liquid fertilizers are recommended, as mentioned in the reference, because they can be easily mixed with water and delivered directly to the plant's roots in the cocopeat medium.
Using a balanced liquid fertilizer ensures your plants receive all the macro and micronutrients they need for healthy growth, flowering, and fruiting.
Steps for Growing Plants Using Cocopeat as a Medium
Growing plants in cocopeat involves treating it as a soilless system (like hydroponics or container gardening with inert media) where you are responsible for providing all nutrition.
- Choose Quality Cocopeat: Start with buffered, low-salt cocopeat. Some cocopeat can contain high levels of sodium or potassium, which can harm plants. Buffering helps neutralize this.
- Hydrate the Cocopeat: Dry, compressed cocopeat needs to be hydrated. Add water slowly until it expands and becomes fluffy and moist.
- Add Fertilizer: Before or immediately after planting, you must introduce nutrients.
- Mix a balanced liquid fertilizer solution according to the product's instructions for soilless mediums.
- Alternatively, you can use slow-release fertilizers mixed into the cocopeat, but liquid feeding offers more control.
- Planting: Place your seedling or plant into the hydrated and fertilized cocopeat.
- Watering and Fertilizing:
- Water regularly, as cocopeat retains moisture well but can dry out completely if neglected. The frequency depends on the plant, pot size, and environment.
- Fertilize regularly with a liquid fertilizer solution. The frequency and concentration depend on the fertilizer type, plant stage, and growth rate. This is often done with every watering or every other watering at a diluted strength (fertigation).
- Monitor Plant Health: Observe your plants for signs of nutrient deficiencies (like yellowing leaves) or excesses, and adjust your fertilization schedule accordingly.
In summary, while you use cocopeat as the material the plant roots grow in, it is impossible to grow them only on cocopeat because it lacks essential nutrients. You must supplement it with fertilizer to provide the necessary food for plant growth.
