In spring you can often find them in the garden departments of hardware stores, in the garden center but also elsewhere they catch the eye: coconut swelling tablets. Are they a suitable alternative for potting soil or are they not recommended?
When do I use coconut swelling tablets and when do I use potting soil?
Coconut swelling tablets are suitable forsmaller seedssuch as flower seeds, tomato seeds, lettuce seeds, etc.. Larger seeds, such as those of zucchini, pumpkin, corn and beans as well ascuttings are better off in pots or bowls with potting soil.
When is potting soil the better choice?
You should ignore coconut swelling tablets and rather use potting soil if you want to sowlarger seeds, but also when growingcuttingsandoffshoots. It offers too little space for such large seeds or plants.
Growing soil is generally suitable for all seeds and parts of plants that need to take root. It is specifically tailored to their needs. Their low nutrient content, their loose and permeable nature as well as their ability to store water make them perfect for sowing etc.
What advantage do coconut swelling tablets have over potting soil?
Coconut swelling tablets arepractical,environmentally friendly, inexpensiveand can be storedspace-saving. The coconut soil, which is compactly pressed into tablets, has all the important characteristics of a good potting soil. It therefore represents an advantageous alternative to conventional potting soil. Last but not least, it has been shown that the germination rate in coconut soil is higher than in potting soil. This applies, for example, to tomato seeds in coconut soil.
Are coconut swelling tablets compatible with all plants?
The coconut swelling tablets are generally suitable for sowing all plants, but are not necessarily recommended. If you want to use coconut swelling tablets, it is best to deepen the already pre-punched hole when sowing seeds. A simple pricking stick (€2.00 on Amazon) can be used for this.
Tip
Coconut swelling tablets – a little patience is required
Coconut swelling tablets are not ready for immediate use. They need to be moistened with water before sowing the seeds in order to swell and reach their full size. Only when the coconut soil is loose and no longer compacted is it suitable for sowing. However, it should first be filled into a cultivation pot.
