Coir FAQs
We have collated some of the most frequently asked question about Coir. Please select a question from the drop down below.
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Select from the list below:
Question
Answer
Where does Besgrow Coir come from?
Is Besgrow Coir a natural product?
Which part of the coconut is used to produce Besgrow Coir?
How do you achieve a consistent high quality product?
Is it expensive to add Besgrow Coir to a potting mix?
I have heard coir can be high in salts.
I have been told Crush Coir is a generative growing substrate
What is the life span of coir?
Can the Gro Bags be pre-cut with holes?
Does the price per Gro Bag increase if I want plant holes, drain slits and drill holes for irrigation spikes?
How do I measure the moisture content in my Gro Bags?
What is the water holding capacity of coir?
Will finer material such as Classic mean less drainage?
Can you run a trial of Besgrow Coir alongside other media without changing the water schedule?
What happens to the old roots if the Gro Bag is used for a second season?
Why are a majority of my plant roots rotten?
Why are the tips of the plant roots brown?
Why are the tips of my cymbidium leaves white?
My leaves are mottled (or interveinal chlorosis) on my plant?
What is the green stuff growing on the top of my pot?
Do you provide technical support?
Besgrow Coir comes from our processing facility in Sri Lanka
Besgrow Coir is processed from 100% organic product, processed in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
Besgrow Coir grades are produced from the pith and fibres of the coconut husk.
Using an age old process the pith is extracted from the husk, creating a material with only minimal amount of fibres. This is used to create our finer grades, Precision and Classic. The long fibres are then used to create our textile products, Weed Mat and Erosion Control.
Coarser grades are produced from the whole husk that is chopped and crushed to form large chips. This materialis used for our grades, Profit and Crush.
We have a team of Quality Controllers who carry out the following procedures throughout production:
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Ensure only selected husks are used
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Test the coarseness of raw materials by sieve analyses
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Record and analyse the pH and EC regularly during the washing and/or buffering processes
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Check the moisture content of the coir before compression
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Ensure each Gro Bag or bale has the same quantity of coir
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Test each batch after compression for its expansion.
It will increase the cost of your mix slightly, but remember you are only adding a small percentage to achieve significant benefits.
Coconuts are a fruit and therefore naturally high in sodium and potassium. Besgrow has a range of products with different EC levels which can be recommended to you dependent on the type of plant you are growing.
This is true due to a high air holding capacity, Crush coir gives you excellent drainage which allows you to steer your crop easily.
Trials have shown that coir will retain its structure and not break down for the duration of the plants growth cycle. In fact, the Profit and Crush materials have been used for several years by a grower without replacing Gro Bags.
Yes, we can pre-cut the Gro Bags at the production factory with plant holes, drain slits and a small hole drilled in the coir for your dripper. This makes installation of the Gro Bags very easy and quick.
No, this is a service we provide free of charge when a customer makes an order. Please contact us to find out about minimum order requirements.
The most effective way is using electronic weigh scales, preferably connected to your computer. This has proven to be a very valuable tool for your water management. It is particularly useful to determine when to start and stop your watering for overnight dry-down.
Classic - 8 litres/kg of dry material
Profit - 6 litres/kg of dry material
Yes, however it still provides a good amount of drainage. The air:water ratio for Classic is 20:80 in comparison to Profit with 30:70.
Yes, as long as your substrate volumes per plant are the same.
If the plants are cut off in a healthy condition without diseases, then the roots do not cause any problems. The open airy structure of the substrate will be maintained and the old roots will increase the organic matter in the Gro Bag.
Coir has a high water holding capacity; if the substrate remains too wet for too long with some plant types the roots will suffer and begin to rot. Allow coir to dry out sufficiently before irrigating again or use a coarser grade of coir. Check EC to ensure this does not increase too much.
The EC of the coir is too high; flush with straight water until your EC reaches a satisfactory level.
This is most likely a magnesium deficiency often caused by slightly too higher EC. Too much potassium and sodium can prevent the calcium and magnesium from taking up exchange sites and being available to the plant. Check pH and EC Apply dolomite (CaMg), or a magnesium fertiliser.
This could be a range of things but in coir it is likely to be iron deficiency due to a pH which is too high. Check pH and EC and lower pH if required.
This is probably algae. This will occur in pots which are kept wet for prolonged periods of time. Remember to allow pots to dry out sufficiently between irrigations.
Our technology partners in Holland and France provide advice and expertise to growers when required throughout the season. We strive to provide excellent customer service and support.