Coconut Ecomuseum: Coconut in Horticulture and hydroponics

In Western countries, until the 1980s, coconut fiber (or coir) was little used in horticulture. However, we already find mention of it in a horticultural journal dating from 1893, under the following terms: Joanni Sallier thinks she has found the said substance under the name of "coconut fibers". He recommends it as only rotting very slowly, and he also designates it as a formidable antiseptic for the canvas (a fungus attacking greenhouse crops).

Coir has been shown to be particularly effective for growing flowers and vegetables in the greenhouse and promoting a vigorous root system. Biodegradable and much less polluting than the fiberglass previously used, it imposed itself as a culture substrate in its own right for hydroponics. Later, its use was extended to the manufacture of all kinds of biodegradable pots in which plants germinate and grow. It is also used to coat plant support stakes, as well as garden hoses.

Coconut fiber is a very stable organic material. For hydroponics, this presents two clear differences compared to other types of substrates such as perlite or rockwool, both of which are inert. The use of coconut fiber is compatible with an agriculture that respects the environment, which essentially depends on the phytosanitary products and fertilizers used. The coconut fiber brings, among its qualities, a material resulting from plantations often cultivated in an organic way. Mines and natural spaces are not affected, which greatly limits the negative effect on the environment. It is biodegradable, and causes no impact after its useful life. It also brings social benefits by transferring economic value to countries in the tropics, often developing ones, where coconut palms are grown.

During cultivation, the use of fertilizers in fertigation can contribute to environmentally friendly and residue-free agriculture. there are complete catalogs including organic fertilizers, seaweed extracts, amino acids; special biostimulants and microorganisms; humic acid soil amendments and salinity correctors. Plant nutrition can be achieved with liquid foliar fertilizers, solid foliar fertilizers, crystalline fertilizers, quelate correctors and deficiency correctors; There are also ecological fertilizers in which are grouped all the nutrients necessary for hydroponics.

An advantage of coconut fiber is its high cation exchange capacity, facilitating intermittent fertigation. The other is its organic character which confers a certain biological activity, a factor to be taken into account during fertilization. Its biochemical properties give it management characteristics quite similar to those of the soil from an agronomic point of view. In this context, some aspects to consider in nutrition are: a large amount of organic colloids, the presence of microbial activity, extremely high capillary forces, etc. Factors that have facilitated the hydroponic cultivation of coconut fiber outdoors.

For illustrating this section, we can produce on request at least one large size HD poster (up to 180x100 cm in size). These posters should be adapted to each country, on a case-by-case basis, in order to prominently feature locally produced coconut products, and to promote the marketing of these local products. It is also possible to buy or rent items from the personal collection of Dr R. Bourdeix.

Due to its texture, coconut fiber has good water retention capacities, slightly lower than that of conventional potting soil. This is rather an advantage because this lower retention reduces the risks associated with over-watering. It is enough to carry out more frequent waterings but less important in volume. It can also be used as a biological control against plant pathogenic fungi due to containing large numbers of colonies of the beneficial fungus Aspergillus terreus.

Coconut fiber can also be used in a mixture to aerate too compact soil. But, this substrate is particularly suitable for hydroponics. Neutral at the base, its Ph and its EC must be adjusted according to the species cultivated for a good assimilation of nutrients.

In garden centres, you can buy coconut fiber in different forms, compressed bricks, rolls, pots or germination supports, traditional bag such as potting soil, ready-made mixtures, pavers already seeded with mycelium for growing mushrooms. Compressed bricks have the advantage of taking up little space. Just soak them in water to re-wet them. Although there are fertilizers optimized for growing on coco, traditional hydroponic fertilizers work well in most cases. In hydroponics, it is important not to forget them, otherwise the plant will show signs of deficiency very quickly. After the harvest, the coconut fiber can be recycled, transformed into compost and ends up degrading and disappearing, completely assimilated by plants and bacteria.

Coir is also used as a terrarium substrate for reptiles and arachnids.

©R. Bourdeix, 2021, section CCHH

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Coconut in Horticulture and hydroponics - Horticulture