COCOPEAT – Suitable Medium for growing plants

 

Cocopeat /Coir pith, is the binding material that comes from the fibre fraction of coconut husks.  It is obtained as a bi-product during the processing of coconut husks for extracting coir fibres.   Cocopeat is an ideal component for mixing with potting mixture.  Depending on the purpose, Cocopeat may be added to an extent of 20 to 50 % by volume, to the potting mixture.    Dried Cocopeat is available commercially as bales, blocks, bricks etc. All these can be re-hydrated into bulk form and easily incorporated into potting mixture. Incorporating Cocopeat with potting mixture improves its porosity, wettability, water holding capacity and absorption capacity.  It can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes.

Aloe – Natural sunscreen

Aloe – Natural sunscreen

Aloe (Aloe vera) or Kumari  is an important  medicinal plant.   It is known as  Kattarvazha (Malayalam), Ghikanvar or Ghi-kuvar (Hindi), Gritakumari (Sanskrit and Bengali), Kattali or Chirukattali (Tamil) and Chinnakattabanda (Telugu).

                   The pads (leaves) of sweet type Aloe are used as vegetable and for preparing pickles, salads, confectionaries etc.   Plant juice is an ideal nutritional supplement.

As a cosmetic, leaf juice protects skin from ultra violet radiation and thereby enhances the natural complexion by acting as a natural sunscreen.  Hence it is used as an ingredient of many skin tonics and sunscreen lotions.  Leaf juice is very effective in enhancing the growth and health of hair.   Moreover, it helps to counteract dandruff.