Is Royal Gold ’ s Coconut Fiber
Potting Soil The Future ? by Nicco Reggente
I remember burning the husk off of a coconut as a kid . It was a tradition my father and I carried out right before we ’ d crack open the hard shell for a taste of that succulent pulp and a sweet drink of its water . Turns out , we were wasting one of the latest and greatest growing mediums : coconut fiber .
Farmers have used that fibrous part of the husk , also known as coir , since ancient times . However , it started gaining popularity in the 1980s amongst growers looking for an alternative to rockwool , peat moss , or clay balls .
Coconut fiber ’ s eco-friendly properties , impressive water retention , and reusability have many arguing that “ coco ” based soil is the future of indoor and hydroponic gardening . Royal Gold , the first all coco based soil company in California , has been at the forefront of this movement — re-setting the standards for quality , consistency and performance for soils and soilless mediums .
Research over the years has highlighted the many advantages of using coconut fiber . For example , media-toroot nutritional transfer , measured commonly by cation exchange capacity , is particularly high when using coconut fiber in your growing medium . That means your nutrients are utilized to their full potential when you pot with coconut fiber . Additionally , since the coir is so fibrous , it doesn ’ t compact as easily — leaving space for a healthy root system that encourages water uptake . Furthermore , the high concentration of support tissue in coir makes it perfect for immediate reuse .
Since 2006 , Royal Gold has been working with clientele ranging from beginner growers all the way to advanced agricultural production masters . With as many as 50 employees during peak sow seasons , Royal Gold distributes their products internationally to some of the most reputable names in garden wholesale .
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