What is Coco Coir?
Coconut Coir is the coarse fibers from a coconut husk. Coir fibers are found between the hard, internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut. The individual fiber cells are narrow and hollow, with thick walls made of cellulose. They are pale when immature, but later become hardened and yellowed as a layer of lignin is deposited on their walls. These fibers are harvested and heavily compressed into convenient coir bricks. Coconut coir is a 100% natural and renewable resource.
Why use Coco Coir?
- Compared to peat it is not acidic, coir has a near ideal pH and is easier to work with. It retains more water than peat, which is why it is a good choice for a mushroom bulk substrate.
- It is free of bacteria and fungal spores and produces good results without the environmental damage caused by peat mining.
- Compressed coir bricks are easy to handle and store.
- They are disease resistant and
- have an excellent air space and water retention capacity.
- Good coconut coir is pH Neutral and
- holds 7 times its weight in water.
Pro Tip: Recipe Tek to Prepare Coir
- 1kg of dry compressed coir normally soaks up 12L of water.
- Use an insulated cooler box, add 1kg of compressed coir and 10L of boiling water.
- Leave to cool naturally and voila.
Hydrated pasteurized coir ready for use.