Dimensions

100cm x 20cm x 12cm

Composition

Shakti coconut slabs can be made of coconut crush and coconut grit, or a combination of them. Coconut fiber can be added on demand. 

• Coconut grit has an excellent water retention capacity with a high air content of about 30%. The standard material is sieved coarser than the normal grit and the fine particles are sieved out.
• Coconut crush can be added to increase the air content. Depending om the amount of added coconut crush the air content can rise from 35% to over 45%. Coconut fiber which is present in the coconut crush increases the drainage capacity. A higher air content, and more drainage make the total mixture dryer.
• Coconut fiber can be added to improve the transport of water and the drainage.

Available in various chemical qualities:

• Unwashed with a high E.C. and a pH between 6 and 7;
• Washed with E.C. < 1 mS/cm and a pH between 6 and 7;
• Buffered with a shared C.E.C.complex, an E.C. < 1 mS/cm and a pH between 6 and 7;
• Shakti Amla® with a shared C.E.C.complex, an E.C. of about 1 mS/cm  with nutrients and a pH between 4 and 5,5.

(*): measured in 1 : 1½ volume extract

Plastic

The plastic used for Shakti Cocos slabs is produced in India. The plastic is white on the outside and black on the inside but on request it's also possible to provide black plastic on the outside or slabs without plastic. In addition to the standard MeeGaa printing, the plastic may be printed customer specific. The plastic is available in several grades.

• 500 gauge (ca. 127 micron) with 3 years U.V. stability under Dutch conditions 
• 400 gauge (ca. 102 micron) with 2 years U.V. stability under Dutch conditions
• 300 gauge (ca.76 micron) with 1 year U.V. stability under Dutch conditions

Plant and drain holes

The Shakti Cocos shelves are made without plant and drainage holes. Upon request and according to the specifications there are the following options: 

• Plant holes round or square cut out of the plastic;
• Round-drilled holes plastic holes in the plastic and equipment;
• Drilled holes for drippers in the plastic and the material where a dripper can be placed;
• Drainage in various shapes and sizes

Moistening

Before the Shakti Coconut slabs can be used they need to be rehydrated:

• Place the slabs at the place they will be used and use drippers to soak them;
• Use clean water. Warm water promotes the speed of the moistening ;
• Fill the slabs with about 80% of the slab volume (for a 100 x 20 x 10 cm slab with a volume of 20 liter is this about 16 liter water);
• Let the slabs rest for 12 – 24 hours; 
• When there are no holes in the plastic, drill holes at the bottom of the slabs. Ensure that no water can remain in the plastic
• Fill the slabs further until they are fully extended. You can do this with clean water or a nutrient solution.
• When using washed or unwashed slabs, the nutrient must be adapted to the exchange of elements with the C.E.C. complex;
• Make sure the E.C. of the cocos is lower than 1 mS / cm before its planted;
• Regularly analyse the coconut during the cultivation in order to determine your fertilizer.