Coco peat vs Peat moss

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What is coco peat

Coco peat or often know as coco pith is a byproduct of the coconut industry. Coco peat is extracted from the shredding process from the coconut husk. Coco peat is associated with a lot of benefits for plants growth. It’s a purely eco-friendly product and his 100% organic making it a preferred choice for users.

The process of making coco peat in no way effects or harms the environment, making it a perfect subsite for other alternates like mud, coal moss and other traditional growing medium.

What is peat moss

Peat moss harvested from the land of Canada and United States is a organic decomposed material which grows in the icy cold eco systems. It’s a fibrous material grown from the cold wet area. It’s also sold as sphagnum peat moss in stores which is commonly available.

Origins and Sources

Coco Peat is sourced from coconut producing countries like Sri Lanka, India, Philippines etc. the harvested coconuts are used in which fibers are removed and the remains are sundried and compressed into spongy brown substance known as coco peat.

Peat Moss is gown in both unusual and common areas and origins are due to the geological process. Most of the peat moss used for cultivation is imported from Canada, and is of the genus sphagnum. The peatlands formed in Canada were formed over tens of thousands of years ago in moist and poorly drained areas like ponds, old river beds and lakes.

The decomposition of dead plants is very slow compared to the accumulation rate. Common type of peatlands includes Fen (Minerotrophic peatland) and Bog (ombrotrophic peatland).

Properties and Performance

Coco Peat:

The properties and performance of coco peat makes it a perfect alternate to other mediums. Coco peat is very easy to handle, light weight and can be reused to up to four years. Its biochemical and physical properties make it perfectly resistant to fungal growth and bacteria. Coco peat has its long terms benefits and only breaks down after ten years.

The pH value ranges from 5.2 to 6.8 which makes it neutral to acidic. Coco peat has the ability to store and provide nutrients which are released for extended period of times of proper plant growth. It provides health root development. Coco peat can be used a growing medium or can be used as a mixture with other soil mediums.

Its purely organic and has the ability the retain moisture to up to 8 times of its volume. Coco peat has a uniformed texture and consistent making it easier to hand. Cocopeat has great oxygenation properties resulting in healthy root development. Coco peat is affordable and quality value for money product.

Peat Moss:

The properties of peat moss include making it great for plants as an acidic soil. Similar to the coco peat it has great water retention capabilities and has capacity to hold water well. As it is sterilized it makes it a growing material due to the ridden microorganisms, weed seeds and pathogens.

It’s also used for hydroponics gardening. Using of peat moss has its own environmental issues. It’s not considered as an eco-friendly option. It’s a non-renewable source and takes thousands of years to form. The harvesting of peat moss also triggers emissions of carbon dioxide which is known to contribute to the global warming.

Its more costly than normal traditional soil, and other alternates are easily available. It can also cause your soil to crack.

Applications

Coco Peat: The applications of Coco peat can be broken down into three main industries

• Coco Peat for Horticulture: Coco peat is used and a growing medium for plants. It’s used as a stand-alone medium or also can be mixed with other mediums like vermiculite, traditional soil and perlite. It provides soil improvement enhancing the structure with it water retention capability. Coco peat is also used as a medium in hydroponics. It’s also used as a compositing fertilizer and is ideal for feeding earth worms making it a perfect fertilizer which is organic and eco-friendly.

• Industrial Application: Coco peat is being used in different fields. Its commonly used in construction industry for insulation. It is suitable for roofing tiles, building materials and insulation panels. It’s also used for biological filtration systems its commonly used in wastewater treatment plans and also air purification systems in which it helps remove pollutants and odors. Coco peat is also used for soil erosion. Coco peat has also been used for production of plants pot.

• Coco peat for Animal bedding & Mulching: Coco peat properties makes it an ideal product for animal bedding. Coco peat for bedding helps in absorbency and odor control. Its soft and comfortable and can be used for a wide range of animals. Coco peat is also used for covering of plants and landscaping. It helps in moisturizing, air conditioning, preventing weeds and is considered bio gradable and environment friendly.

Peat Moss: The applications of Peat Moss are as below.

• Peat Moss is commonly used in hanging baskets. As the hanging baskets are light in weight different soil layers make them heavy. So, using of Peat Moss is a better option as it helps in retaining moisture.

• Other ideal usage of using peat moss is for growing orchids. The sphagnum moss provides the ideal growing condition providing adequate moisture.

• Usage of peat moss in terrariums. People who have hobby of making mi nature landscapes in glass or small containers use the base of peat moss.

• Peat moss is also commonly found wrapped in PVC pipes of dry sphagnum moss coil. A number of climbing indoor plants can be home grow. Climber plants grow completely wrapped of the moss stick.

• Moss is also used as a potting mixture. It’s an excellent solid condition with water holding capacity for pot soil.

• Other uses of Moss include growing mushrooms and the fungal mycelium grows in compost layer. Peat moss is also used in air layering. It’s a method used for fruiting trees and flowering shrubs.

Contact Earth Scape a leading coco peat exporters in Sri Lanka to order coco peat in bulk.