Coco coir bricks are a natural growing medium made of coconut fiber. The products are especially good at retaining water and nutrients. Therefore, they offer an ideal environment for plants to grow better. Follow Tropicoco Vietnam in this article to get to know coir bricks and how to use them properly.

What are coco coir bricks?

Coco coir bricks are made from ground coir. They are compressed into a brick form for easier transport and shipping. To make them, manufacturers first remove the husks from the coconuts. Then, they soak the fibers in water to soften them. After that, the materials are removed from the water and left to dry. When the fibers are all processed, they will be chopped up and compressed into coir bricks.

How to prepare coco coir bricks correctly?

To use coco coir bricks for planting, you must first hydrate them. This allows the products to achieve a soft and fluffy soil-like texture. Here are all of the steps you need to follow to prepare the bricks easily and correctly:

• Step 1: Put the bricks into a bucket. Make sure it is a large container as the products can expand five to seven times once hydrated.
• Step 2: Soak the bricks in warm water. If you do not know how much water is enough, a good rule of thumb is to add ⅘ gallons per 5-kilo brick. Remember not to overwater the bricks as they can drown the roots and cause damage to your plants.
• Step 3: Let the bricks sit in water for some time to loosen up and absorb the water completely.
• Step 4: Once the products have fully absorbed, use a garden trowel to stir them. If they still look dry, add water as needed.
• Step 5: Stir and fluff the bricks again to make sure they are all hydrated. When the products have reached their ideal soil-like consistency, they are ready to be used in the garden.

What are the benefits of using coco coir bricks? 

Excellent for plant roots

Compared to other growing mediums, coco coir bricks promote healthier and faster root development. Not only do the bricks hold onto moisture and nutrients for the roots, it also has a lighter texture that enables more space for oxygen. For this reason, coir bricks can help you avoid over and underwater effectively.

Friendly to the environment

Unlike peat moss, coconut coir bricks are a sustainable choice for the environment. The products can be used more than once and are slow to break down. Therefore, you will not have to replace them too often, which results in less agricultural waste for the planet.

Resistant to insects and germs

Coir bricks can naturally repel pests, insects, and severe fungal infections. For this reason, you can rest assured that the products can protect your plants from numerous soilborne diseases. Coco coir bricks are also free of weeds and bacteria, making them an ideal growing medium for sensitive plants.

Versatile in uses

Coco coir bricks are suitable for growing in greenhouses, landscaping, garden beds, individual pots, terrariums, grow bags, vertical gardens, and many more. The products also go well with different plants, such as bonsai, cactus, orchid, mushrooms, roses, etc.

Best ways to use coco coir bricks in gardening

Using coco coir bricks for houseplants

Indoor plants usually require a growing medium that is loose in texture to ensure the flow of water and air. Because coir bricks meet the standard, they are one of the best choices to grow houseplants. When preparing coco coir for indoor plants, remember that you do not need as much product as growing in the garden. For indoor planting, it is recommended to choose the smallest coir brick available.

Also, as with indoor use, the addition of vital nutrients is an essential part of the preparation stage. Since each plant will have different nutritional requirements, remember to double-check their exact needs to ensure optimum health.

Using coco coir bricks in the garden

Coco coir is an excellent peat moss substitute for garden use. Due to coir bricks’ outstanding water retention, the intervals between watering can be longer. Coir will also naturally improve moisture drainage, which is ideal for gardeners who live in areas that receive heavy rainfall.

When planting with coco coir bricks, you must consider whether or not the existing soil in your garden can be mixed with the products to create an ideal growing environment. For example, clay soil is usually too dense to grow vegetables or any outdoor plants. However, if you mix it with coco coir before planting, it will create a much lighter texture, allowing roots to take hold and thrive.

Using coco coir bricks in hydroponics

Hydroponic gardening refers to the growing of plants without needing any soil. Since coco coir bricks are technically a soil alternative, it is compatible with hydroponic gardening and can yield positive results.

When preparing coir bricks for a hydroponic system, it is essential that the products are properly rinsed. If you skip this step, they will be high in salt levels, which makes them fatal in hydroponics. Luckily, you can prevent this by rinsing them thoroughly with fresh water before planting.

Conclusion

The article has provided you with all the information you need to know about coco coir bricks. If you have any questions or want to place orders, make sure to contact Tropicoco Vietnam down below.

Contact information

Tropicoco – The best substrate

Address: No.20 Ngan Long Villa, Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Nha Be District, Ho Chi Minh City

Email: giathe@tropical.vn

Hotline: +84 983230879

Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 8.00AM-5.00PM; Sunday: Closed