Frequently Asked Questions

What is cocopeat?

Cocopeat / Coir pith is the powder that binds coir fibers in coconut husks. It is produced as a byproduct during coir fiber extraction. However, raw coir pith is not a suitable plant growing media; it has to undergo a series of processes like decomposition, reduction of salt content, removal of impurities etc. Processed coir pith is widely used as a plant growing medium because of its advantages like - High water holding capacity, aeration to roots, reduced risk of fungal infection, higher performance and eco-friendliness.

Why is decomposition (aging/digesting) necessary? Why can't I use raw coir pith / cocopeat without decomposition?

Decomposition reduces C:N ratio and brings in stabilization in raw coir pith/cocopeat. Decomposed material will have lower NDI (Nitrogen Drawdown Index), i.e. it supplies nitrogen more readily and easily to the plants as compared to un-decomposed material. Decomposition improves maturity, uniformity, softness (workability) and water holding capacity of cocopeat. In short, using decomposed cocopeat makes seed germination and raising of seedlings much easier and surer, besides reducing supplementary nitrogen requirement.

What are Cocohusk chips?

Cocohusk chips are uniformly cut and processed pieces of coconut husk that are extensively used as media for growing various plants in pots and plant beds. Cocohusk chips help plants develop excellent roots. They also resist microbial growth and slumping thereby providing long usage life of upto five years. Cocohusk chips can be a superior & eco-friendly alternative to tree bark in most cases.

How do cocohusk chips help in excellent root development?

Cocohusk chips have high air filled porosity, increasing the breathability of media, thus providing ample aeration and drainage, which helps plants establish excellent roots.

Are your cocohusk chips buffered? What is the use of buffering?

Yes, all our cocohusk chips are buffered(Unless specified otherwise by buyers). Our buffering is a unique, slow exchange mineral based process, superior to usual calcium nitrate based process.

Without buffering, cocohusk chips contain high levels of sodium and potassium. This will lead to nutritional imbalances like excessive salt content. Buffered chips have sodium and potassium replaced with calcium and magnesium.

What are Coco rooting plugs, pots, cubes, climber sticks? Are they biodegradable?

These products are specially treated coir based media that are moulded using a natural binder. Binder holds all particles of coir pith together, so there is no loose powder.

Yes, all our Spongy products are natural and biodegradable.

How do I know when to water the seedlings/saplings/plants?

Seedlings/saplings/plants raised in cocopeat require much less water as compared to seedlings raised in soil because cocopeat has very high water holding capacity that reduces percolation and evaporation losses. Though you will know when to provide water to seedlings by experience, a thumb rule is to give water only when the top layer of cocopeat in the tray (or pot) becomes completely dry. Watering quantity should be just enough to thoroughly wet the mass of cocopeat, without getting water to runoff the tray /pot.

Can I have custom made media according to my needs?

Yes, we can do that! Our media varieties are formulated for usage as listed against each variant. If you have any specific usage requirement beside these, or, if you have a special set of quality parameters, we shall try to fine tune our product to suit your requirements. Please do contact us.

How do I know that your product is of good quality? - Everybody claims their product to be the best!

Well, we have been in this business for more than 20 years now, so, if we were not good, we would not have survived this long!! In fact, majority of our sales come from repeat orders from the same set of customers, spread throughout India, comprising commercial nurseries, seed companies, tissue culture laboratories, agriculture universities etc. So, if we were not good, they would not have come back.

Our products undergo multiple quality checks during the production process, including laboratory tests to determine and correct various parameters at all crucial stages of production. A comprehensive germination and growth trial, using several types of vegetable seeds is performed on every batch of media produced. Each package of our product carries a serial number to correlate to quality tests. All the results of quality checks are recorded. So, you can be assured that the material you are buying has undergone all required quality checks successfully.

To get reassured further, you may place a request for free sample (packing and freight cost to be borne by you), which you can use/test and buy only if you are satisfied.