Harvested coconuts have a wide range of natural waste products. Coco husk brick is among the most popular products on the market, serving as an efficient growing medium and also terrarium bedding for reptiles or amphibians. That becomes the question, is coco husk and coco coir the same?
Coco coir is also a well-known coconut by-product which has been widely used in gardening and several industries. Although coconut husk and coir come from the same raw material, both of them are slightly different because of the process. A deep-dive into the difference can help you find the right substrate.
What Is Coco Husk Brick?
Coconut husk is derived from the fibrous husk of the coconut. This organic material is sustainable, porous, and biodegradable, so it becomes an exceptional alternative for various purposes. In gardening, it is also considered an efficient alternative to soil.
Porosity is one of the highlighted features of coco husk that make it desirable. It allows water to flow through, improving drainage and air circulation to promote the health of your plants. Coco husk brick is commonly used in gardens, hydroponic systems, and horticulture.
3 Differences of Coco Husk and Coco Coir Bricks
Some people may be confused with coco husk and coco coir while some others think they are the same. In fact, coco husk is slightly different from coco coir. This term is not interchangeable because of a few differences as follow.
- Texture
Coco husk is also known as husk chips for a reason—it comes in small cubes or chips. Removed coconut husk is chopped into smaller pieces and compressed into a brick, resulting in a husk brick that is easier for shipment.
Coco coir is more processed than coco husk. Coir is ground so it has a finer and softer texture that looks like dirt. This waste product is also known as coco peat and it is also compressed into a brick for the similar purpose. How to break coco coir bricks isn’t easy when dry, so it is necessary to rehydrate.
- Price
Depending on the suppliers, coco husk brick is relatively more affordable than coco coir brick. This is because coco coir needs more extensive process to gain a finer texture, ranging from soaking to drying, grinding, and compressing.
However, both of them are relatively cheaper than premium growing medium. The preparation process is also slightly similar as you need to soak the brick and add nutrients before use.
- Function
Coco coir and coco husk is slightly different in function. Coco coir can be used as a sole growing media without mixing it with soil or perlite. Because it has excellent water retention feature, it can maintain moisture level.
On the other hand, coco husk dries too quickly and does not hold water as much as coco coir, so it works best when mixed with other substrate. You can mix it with coco peat, soil, or perlite to ensure robust and healthy plants.
Coco husk brick is different from coco coir brick for several aspects, such as texture, price, and function. Both products are derived from harvested coconuts but they have different textures that affect their functions.
If you interest to know more information about coir soil and other coconut derivative products, you can visit our website https://indonesiacocopeat.com/. You can also click link WhatsApp https://wa.me/6281212333590 to connect directly with us..