I've been using coconut peat for years, and it's a total game-changer for creating soil mixes for plants. It's amazing how versatile it is, and it's saved my plants more times than I can count.
In this review, I'll share my hands-on experience with coconut peat briquettes from Fiber Family ACSR, including the pros and cons, and which plants they suit best.
Coconut peat briquettes from Fiber Family ACSR review
Where to Buy and Price
I've purchased coconut peat briquettes several times, and my latest one was from Fix Price.
You can find them in stores related to gardening, like Leroy Merlin, Colorma, and others. Sometimes, major retailers offer great discounts on these briquettes – I managed to snag a fantastic deal on them at Leroy Merlin this spring.
Of course, you can also find them on marketplaces like Ozon and Wildberries.
As for the price, it depends on the store and the quantity. On average, a 5-liter briquette costs between 150-180 rubles.
I bought mine from Fix Price because of the rave reviews about their low price – 99 rubles. However, there are two nuances:
The volume is 3 liters, not 5
The price is 99 rubles, not 79. I'm not sure if people were just quoting the old price or if it was a recent price hike.
One thing to keep in mind about Fix Price is that it's not exactly cheap. But at least it's a lot more convenient to get to than Leroy Merlin.
When it comes to prices on marketplaces, it's a whole different story. You really need to keep an eye on it.
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Packaging
The briquettes are dense and rectangular in shape, like little bricks. The one from Fix Price, which is 3 liters, is slightly flattened.
It's wrapped in cellophane.
You can see through it that the briquette will start to crumble a bit, but the cellophane keeps the mess contained - as long as it's intact, that is. Sometimes the packaging is torn, and all the crumbs spill out.
Under the cellophane is a label with the information.
Coconut Briquettes from Fix Price: Price, Pros, and Cons ReviewThe unopened and dry briquette is easy to store. It takes up a bit of space.
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Briquette
The briquette is in the shape of a brick, albeit a slightly flattened one in our case. It's hard and slightly crumbly.
The smell is almost non-existent.
I've got to say, the consistency of the Fix Pryasovsky brick is looser than my previous coconut substrate. That's actually a plus - it's easier to break it apart. The smaller thickness also helps with that.
Why is that a good thing?You don't always need to use the coconut peat in its entirety. For example, my previous peat brick lasted me for 2 years, and I had soaked it all at first. Of course, storing it like that isn't as convenient - it takes up more space, and the material is loose.
So, sometimes it's better to just soak a part of it. But with a 5-liter brick, it's pretty tough to break off a chunk! With Fix Pryasovsky's 3-liter brick, it's a lot easier.
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Preparation
Using the coconut brick is a breeze!
To get it to the right state, you just need to pour in some warm water.
The amount of water is indicated on the packaging.
You can soak the brick completely, or break it into smaller pieces - that'll speed up the process.
When I added water to the brick, it started to swell and expand in size. This Fix Price brick even split into two halves - I'd already broken them down into smaller pieces.
I'd mentioned earlier that you can rehydrate the brick in whole or in part. In my case, I had a big plant transplant coming up, so I used the whole thing.
After the brick had rehydrated, I needed to break it down by hand to make sure there were no small, unabsorbed bits left behind.
And that gave me 3 liters of coconut peat.
It's ready to use for planting.
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If you've rehydrated the whole brick but not used it all, you should dry out the leftover bit before storing it. Dried coconut peat takes on a lighter color.
This peat dries out super fast! My previous one was a nightmare to dry. And I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
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Using It
Okay, so we've prepared the peat - what's next?
The label says you can use it as a ready-to-use planting medium.
I don't use it that way, preferring to mix it with soil. The proportions depend on the plant - sometimes 50/50, sometimes 30/70. But not less than a third. However, don't feel obligated to follow my instructions - plants are all different, and they have their own needs.
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But the label says it's suitable for all types of plants. NOT SO FAST!
At least one of the properties listed on the label says it's great at retaining moisture. So, it's not ideal for plants that prefer drier soil.
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My main users of coconut peat are hoya and fiddle leaf figs.
For fiddle leaf figs, I use it because it's a component of my favorite specialized soil, and they love it.
For hoya, coconut peat has been a game-changer! It's thanks to this that they finally started growing after almost 1.5 years of dormancy.
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I've found coconut peat to be an amazing soil conditioner that lets roots breathe and grow. Some plants, like my hoya, really take off when their roots have fully settled into the pot. And don't forget to choose a pot that's the right size – no oversized pots for me!
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Mixing the coconut peat with store-bought soil is a breeze. You can also add other soil conditioners or fertilizers if needed. It's a great opportunity to experiment and find the perfect blend for your plants, depending on their type and needs.
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Coconut Peat Features
After repotting, my plants seem to be loving the new soil mix.
Here are some of the key features of coconut peat, straight from the label:
These are the most important ones:
Neutral pHRich in beneficial elementsExcellent water retentionAnd I'm happy to report that all these features hold true. I haven't needed to fertilize my plants since repotting!
With these characteristics in mind, you can create the perfect soil mix for your plants.
It's also worth noting the watering habits of plants in coconut peat or a mix containing it.
One thing I've noticed is that the coconut coir can hold onto water a bit too well when you're watering quickly. It's great at letting air and water pass through, but when it comes to water, it's a bit more sluggish. This can cause water to collect on the surface and even spill over if you're not careful. Don't worry, though - it'll eventually soak in. Sometimes it's a bit frustrating, but it's not a deal-breaker.The coconut coir does a great job of retaining moisture, which means it takes a bit longer to dry out. Just keep that in mind when you're watering regularly, and you'll be fine.xa0
My Verdict
I've been using coconut coir in brikets for a while now, and I have to say - it's a game-changer for creating soil mixes for plants! It's an amazing amendment that helps root systems develop faster and stronger.
Improves soil structureNeutral pHEasy to useRetains moistureAir-porousRich in beneficial microelementsValue for moneyThe compact size makes it easy to break off just the right amount - no need to soak the whole thing if you don't want to.Cons:
It's not suitable for all plants due to its water-holding capacityIt can make watering a bit more trickyIt can crumble and make a mess if the packaging is damagedCoconut coir was a revelation for me a few years ago. It's so convenient and practical - just be aware that you'll need to dry it out a bit if you're using it partially. The briket from Fix Price has its advantages - the size and volume are perfect. The volume is smaller than usual - I've never seen anything bigger than 3 liters, and most are 5 liters. The thickness makes it easy to break it down into smaller pieces.
I've got to say, every gardener's got their own go-to medium for growing plants. Some swear by perlite, others won't budge from good ol' potting soil, and then there are those who grow their babies on plain old ceramic, which is usually just used as drainage. You could argue about what's best all day long, but at the end of the day, the main thing is that your plants look amazing - and everyone's got their own way of making that happen! So, I'm all for trying out different options and finding what works best for you and your green babies. That's why I'm recommending the coconut coir briquettes from Fix Price. They're super affordable and come in small quantities, making them perfect for testing the waters and doing some initial experimenting!