Coir Pots: Why move from Plastic
Pots?
CoirGreen™ Coir Pots or also known as coco
pots are a natural, biodegradable alternative for plastic pots. Why are they
deemed to be a biodegradable alternative? Well, they are made out of natural
coconut fibres which are held together using natural latex. This product has
been introduced as part of CoirGreen’s commitment to promote sustainable and
environmentally-friendly practices in soil erosion control, horticultural and
agricultural industries. The main thought behind this product is to add value
to the lives of our customers, and employees.
Why
should you switch?
The
answer to that is transplantation. Remember that time you had to move a plant
from one pot to a larger one, just because there was no space for the roots to grow?
This was a meticulous task, wasn’t it? You had to make sure that this space
constraint hadn’t caused the roots to spiral, twist or tangle which could stunt
the plants’ growth. In addition to this, you had to ensure that the plant and
its root will not be damaged during this transplantation, causing a
‘transplantation shock’.
When
using coir pots this situation can be avoided as the roots are permitted to
grow beyond the coconut fibre wall of the pot. Once the roots have penetrated
the pot’s wall, the exposure to air will stop the roots from growing further.
However, root buds will start to appear and secondary roots start to develop
through the pot, which will reduce any deformity that can occur in the root
system. This process known as ‘aerial root pruning’ will avoid the
transplantation shock that occurs through the use of plastic pots.
What
are the other benefits?
These
biodegradable coco pots have a high permeability of water, which assists the
plants in their osmosis process. Apart from this, these pots are also able to
moderate the level of moisture of the pot and the plant. These qualities make
coir pots the ideal choice to grow cucurbits and courgettes as their growth is
quite often affected by the lack of water or excess moisture.
Coirpots also increase the microbial activity of the plant due to the lignin
content in them. This activity, together with key nutrients like Zinc,
Magnesium, Copper, and Iron that are acquired through these pots, will assist
the plants’ growth. These coir pots allow even a planting enthusiast with a
busy schedule to engage in planting, as constant care is not necessary.
Furthermore, the rate of growth of plants in coir pots will be higher than in
that made out of plastic. Therefore, the use of fertilizer can be reduced, as
it is less likely for harmful weed to grow and hinder the plant.
These
environmentally friendly pots remain stable above ground for a year, due to its
Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS). Once this period passes, as mentioned earlier,
the plant doesn’t have to be uprooted from the pot as the pot biodegrades in
the soil after 2-3 months. Therefore, the plant including the degrading pot can
be replanted together in a larger pot without any transplantation shock. The
pots fibres and nutrients will be added to the soil in which it degrades,
therefore adding texture to the soil as they degrade.
If
the pot isn’t used in the transplanting process, then they can be used to
manufacture compost. The composition of this biodegrading pot when added to the
compost pile will act as a valuable source of carbon. This carbon will provide
the microorganisms with the required energy break down the organic matter in
the compost making process.
Therefore
the use of CoirGreen™ Coir Pots can help horticulturists and other users as it
avoids the effects of ‘transplantation shock’, allows ‘aerial root pruning’,
has a high permeability of water, and nutrients, manages the level of moisture,
and has other benefits as it degrades biologically. For more information
regarding CoirGreen Coir Pots contact us on marketing@coirgreen.com or visit our
website on www.coirgreen.com
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