Question: I've heard that salt can be a problem with some coir products,where do these salts come from and should I be concerned?

Answer: A coconut husk from which coir dust "Cocopeat" is made contains naturally high levels of Potassium Chloride. These nutrients are reduced to a beneficial level by ageing and leaching of Cocopeat prior to it's processing for use as a growing medium. In some coastal coconut growing regions, husks are soaked in brackish or salt water lagoons to soften them for use in the fibre industry. This material has high sodium levels and is of no use to horticulture.

GALUKU'S commercial operation is in the mountain region of Sri Lanka where we have a rigorous quality assurance program to produce Cocopeat to the highest quality standards for use as a growing medium.

Question: I'm a lettuce grower currently using Canadian Peat Moss for my seedling mix. Will GALUKU'S 25kg bale break up in my paddle mixer?

Answer: Yes, just as easily as the peat, but add at least 50 litres of water to get full expansion.

Question: Should I add lime to the Cocopeat to correct the PH?

Answer: Cocopeat's PH is slightly acid 5.8-6.4, which is the ideal level for most plant production. Cocopeat does require calcium and magnesium, so it is best to add Gypsum or Dolomite which won't raise the Ph as much as lime.

Question: I'm planning to grow cut-flower roses in a run to waste hydroponic system. Would cocopeat be a suitable growing media?

Answer: Cocopeat is ideal substrate for rose production ,it combines high water holding capacity with good AFP and an ideal ph. Our experience With rose production over the past twelve years has shown that roses root faster and with better fine root hair development in cocopeat.Cut flower production can be 12 to 15% higher in the first year when grown in cocopeat.

Question: Can you grow gerbera's in cocopeat with out mixing it with perlite?

Answer: A quality Management of gerbera production is much easier in growing media with a very high air filled porosity .This is why growers have traditionally blended cocopeat with 20 to 40% coarse perlite aiming for an AFP of 25 to 35% .Galuku Pty ltd has spent many years working with the flower growers and our engineers to develop a grade of cocopeat that's AFP and WHC is ideal for cut flower production.Trial results have been very good.