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What is the difference between cultivation on Rockwool substrate and cultivation on cocopeat?

The difference between rockwool and cocopeat is the raw material from which the substrate mat is made. Rockwool is made from molten rock (synthetic material), while cocopeat is made from the husks of coconuts (natural material). In flower and pot plant cultivation, cocopeat has been used as a substrate for years, but vegetable growers are also increasingly choosing to grow on cocopeat. It is airy, stable and affordable. In this article our specialist further explains the differences between growing on Rockwool substrate and growing on cocopeat.
Substrates in tomato greenhouse
Roel Bijl
Product Specialist Plant Resilience and Substrates | July 12, 2018 | 4 min. reading time

What are Rockwool substrate mats?

Rockwool substrate mats are substrate mats made of Rockwool substrate, which is spun from rock. The Rockwool substrate is spun in such a way that a certain structure is created on which plants are able to grow. There are different kinds of Rockwool substrate mats, each with their own properties, due to which each type of Rockwool substrate mat is suitable for a certain kind of crop.

What is cocopeat?

Cocopeat is made of the residual product of the coconut shell and is entirely organic. Cocopeat comes in different forms:
  • Cocopeat grit: this is used mainly for rehydration. Cocopeat grit can be processed in mixtures, but is also available in big bags and as molded blocks. 
  • Double sieved cocopeat grit: this is mainly used for cutting and sowing soil, because it ensures an optimal connection between young roots and the substrate. Double sieved cocopeat grit is finer than ordinary grit and can be used in mixtures or purely as a substrate.
  • Cocopeat fiber: this ensures better transport of water in a mixture in the form of quick drainage or actually quick absorption of water. Cocopeat fiber is always processed within mixtures. 
  • Cocopeat chips: this increase the air content of a mixture by 10 to 40%. Cocopeat chips can be processed in mixtures, but can also be used purely as a substrate. 
  • Cocopeat boards: these are compressed cocopeat mats. Cocopeat boards can be made of cocopeat grid and cocopeat chips, or a combination thereof. Also, cocopeat fiber can be added to it.
Cocopeat must be pretreated before it can be used for cultivation. This pretreatment is required to be able to drain the cocopeat-bound sodium and potassium. When you purchase cocopeat substrate, in most cases this pretreatment will have taken place already. Yet not in all cases. Cocopeat substrate that was not pretreated can be recognized by a lower selling price. In that case cheap works out more expensive, because it is difficult to process untreated cocopeat into a useable product for cultivation yourself. So, pay attention to this when purchasing!

Airy and dry

Its structure makes cocopeat an airy substrate. This ensures a smaller chance of development of fungal diseases and also better oxygen supply for the plant roots. Despite the fact that cocopeat had best be grown dry, it is actually able to quickly absorb water, even if it is very dry. 

Stable substrate

Cocopeat is a stable substrate. In practice this means that you can use it as a substrate for at least two years, without deterioration of the quality. This enables you to use the substrate for several cultivation seasons. Also, it is possible to steam cocopeat between two cultivations, without influencing the quality and the properties of the material. 

When growing on Rockwool substrate it is harder to use the substrate for a number of years, because it cannot be steamed as easily as cocopeat. As a result, the reuse of Rockwool substrate mats involves a higher risk of diseases. Also, Rockwool substrate mats are less stable, so reusing will cause reduced water capacity and slower rooting. 

Cheaper and lower impact on the environment

Another advantage of cocopeat is that it is cheaper than Rockwool substrate. Not particularly when buying it, but mainly because the use will not involve waste costs. After cultivation, Rockwool substrate is disposed of and recycled into other products, like bricks. For cocopeat this is not the case; after the cultivation, the cocopeat substrate can be mixed with, for example garden soil or earth. 

Different feeding program

If you choose to start growing on cocopeat, then be aware that you need to adjust the feeding program. Cocopeat has properties that differ from those of Rockwool substrate, due to which some nutrients can more easily be absorbed while other nutrients are less easily absorbed, relative to Rockwool substrate. This is something you should bear in mind when dosing those specific elements. In addition, cocopeat has the property of stabilizing the pH. 

Advice

Whether it is better to grow on cocopeat or on Rockwool substrate, depends on the crop. When selecting a certain type of substrate, always ask advice from one of our specialists. 

Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Roel Bijl will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

What is the difference between cultivation on Rockwool substrate and cultivation on cocopeat?

The difference between rockwool and cocopeat is the raw material from which the substrate mat is made. Rockwool is made from molten rock (synthetic material), while cocopeat is made from the husks of coconuts (natural material). In flower and pot plant cultivation, cocopeat has been used as a substrate for years, but vegetable growers are also increasingly choosing to grow on cocopeat. It is airy, stable and affordable. In this article our specialist further explains the differences between growing on Rockwool substrate and growing on cocopeat.
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Roel Bijl Product Specialist Plant Resilience and Substrates
Roel Bijl
Product Specialist Plant Resilience and Substrates | July 12, 2018 | 4 min. reading time
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Substrates in tomato greenhouse
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What are Rockwool substrate mats?

Rockwool substrate mats are substrate mats made of Rockwool substrate, which is spun from rock. The Rockwool substrate is spun in such a way that a certain structure is created on which plants are able to grow. There are different kinds of Rockwool substrate mats, each with their own properties, due to which each type of Rockwool substrate mat is suitable for a certain kind of crop.

What is cocopeat?

Cocopeat is made of the residual product of the coconut shell and is entirely organic. Cocopeat comes in different forms:
  • Cocopeat grit: this is used mainly for rehydration. Cocopeat grit can be processed in mixtures, but is also available in big bags and as molded blocks. 
  • Double sieved cocopeat grit: this is mainly used for cutting and sowing soil, because it ensures an optimal connection between young roots and the substrate. Double sieved cocopeat grit is finer than ordinary grit and can be used in mixtures or purely as a substrate.
  • Cocopeat fiber: this ensures better transport of water in a mixture in the form of quick drainage or actually quick absorption of water. Cocopeat fiber is always processed within mixtures. 
  • Cocopeat chips: this increase the air content of a mixture by 10 to 40%. Cocopeat chips can be processed in mixtures, but can also be used purely as a substrate. 
  • Cocopeat boards: these are compressed cocopeat mats. Cocopeat boards can be made of cocopeat grid and cocopeat chips, or a combination thereof. Also, cocopeat fiber can be added to it.
Cocopeat must be pretreated before it can be used for cultivation. This pretreatment is required to be able to drain the cocopeat-bound sodium and potassium. When you purchase cocopeat substrate, in most cases this pretreatment will have taken place already. Yet not in all cases. Cocopeat substrate that was not pretreated can be recognized by a lower selling price. In that case cheap works out more expensive, because it is difficult to process untreated cocopeat into a useable product for cultivation yourself. So, pay attention to this when purchasing!

Airy and dry

Its structure makes cocopeat an airy substrate. This ensures a smaller chance of development of fungal diseases and also better oxygen supply for the plant roots. Despite the fact that cocopeat had best be grown dry, it is actually able to quickly absorb water, even if it is very dry. 

Stable substrate

Cocopeat is a stable substrate. In practice this means that you can use it as a substrate for at least two years, without deterioration of the quality. This enables you to use the substrate for several cultivation seasons. Also, it is possible to steam cocopeat between two cultivations, without influencing the quality and the properties of the material. 

When growing on Rockwool substrate it is harder to use the substrate for a number of years, because it cannot be steamed as easily as cocopeat. As a result, the reuse of Rockwool substrate mats involves a higher risk of diseases. Also, Rockwool substrate mats are less stable, so reusing will cause reduced water capacity and slower rooting. 

Cheaper and lower impact on the environment

Another advantage of cocopeat is that it is cheaper than Rockwool substrate. Not particularly when buying it, but mainly because the use will not involve waste costs. After cultivation, Rockwool substrate is disposed of and recycled into other products, like bricks. For cocopeat this is not the case; after the cultivation, the cocopeat substrate can be mixed with, for example garden soil or earth. 

Different feeding program

If you choose to start growing on cocopeat, then be aware that you need to adjust the feeding program. Cocopeat has properties that differ from those of Rockwool substrate, due to which some nutrients can more easily be absorbed while other nutrients are less easily absorbed, relative to Rockwool substrate. This is something you should bear in mind when dosing those specific elements. In addition, cocopeat has the property of stabilizing the pH. 

Advice

Whether it is better to grow on cocopeat or on Rockwool substrate, depends on the crop. When selecting a certain type of substrate, always ask advice from one of our specialists. 

Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Roel Bijl will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Roel Bijl Product Specialist Plant Resilience and Substrates
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