UGro produces eco-friendly coconut substrates and protects peatland ecosystems

It has been more than 20 years since the UGro brand was founded in Barcelona, with a vision from the start to produce high-quality coconut substrates focused on sustainability and the protection of peatlands, which represent the largest natural carbon reservoir on our planet. Recently we added new items from this traditional Spanish manufacturer to our range, led by compressed coconut blocks, ideal for outdoor and indoor plant cultivation including hydroponics. As you will learn in this article, they are easy to use and you will quickly take to them as a natural growing medium.

Compressed coconut blocks

Products by UGRo, such as the organic coconut substrate for indoor and outdoor use, shown in the first picture, are made from coconut shells in India. When it comes to coconut substrates, you might immediately think of a rare spice. You can rely on the fact that all important parameters of UGro substrates, which we list below, remain the same from packing until you open the package yourself. That is a major practical advantage of dehydrated coconut — long shelf life while preserving original properties and easy handling or transport. We can also add recyclability, i.e., the possibility of reusing the growing medium. If you want more general information about the benefits of coconut substrates and their use beyond hydroponic cultivation, read the separate article: Growing in coconut.

Both types of UGro coconut blocks, however, have a slightly different composition than what we are used to with other coconut bricks and mats. Whether you choose the UGro BASIC or UGro RHIZA option, the dehydrated and compressed block of premium coconut substrate made from high-quality coconut peat in the form of fine particles will contain a low fibre content.

You probably also noticed that the coconut block for plant cultivation on the left shows the BASIC variant, while the package on the right looks very similar but is labelled RHIZA. So what's the difference? For the latter you will pay a few crowns more, but in return you get a composition enriched with endomycorrhiza to improve nutrient uptake.

When choosing which UGro coconut block will suit you better, it also depends on the scale at which you grow your plants, whether outdoors or at home. UGro offers two options for both professional and hobby growers:

• UGro Coco XL: a 5 kg block of dehydrated Indian coconut that, when 18 liters of water are added, turns into 70 liters of unique coconut substrate ready for immediate use.
• UGro Coco Small: a smaller and cheaper package weighing 650 grams. Add 3 liters of water to obtain 11 liters of natural coconut substrate.

Advantages of compressed UGro Organics Coco blocks

And now back to why you should definitely try these dehydrated compressed coconut substrates:

• Excellent water and air retention properties for a healthy and well-developed root system — the foundation of a vital plant and a successful harvest. To be precise, the water retention capacity is 910% for both the BASIC and RHIZA variants.
• Improved uptake of nutrients dissolved in water. Fertilizer and water consumption can be reduced by up to half when using UGro coconut substrates!
• Optimal levels of EC (less than 0.6 mS/cm) and pH (5.5 - 6.5).
• A universal natural growing medium for cultivation in a growbox or outdoors.
• Completely clean composition free of soil pathogens, odors, roots and other impurities.
• Trichoderma and improved structure for greater plant resistance to stress factors, pests, mold formation, root rot or other plant diseases. If you are not yet familiar with the beneficial effects of symbiotic fungi on plant root systems, read the separate article: Trichoderma: the natural route to a rich and healthy harvest.

How to use UGro compressed coconut substrates?

UGro Small and UGro XL are two different volumes of compressed and dehydrated coconut substrate. Preparation is very easy in both cases. You only need a large enough container for soaking the substrate and water.

UGRO SMALL

• First prepare a soaking container and fill it with 3 liters of clean water.
• Then remove UGro Small from its packaging and place the compressed coconut into the water.
• Within 3 minutes the coconut substrate will be hydrated and ready for use. You will notice it has expanded to its volume (11 liters).

UGRO XL

• The preparation process for large UGro coconut blocks is the same, only you will need a larger water container because the substrate will expand to the declared 70 liters after soaking.

Try other products from the UGro brand

• UGro propagation media: Use biodegradable, organic material with a low fibre content for easy and effective sowing of your favourite plants!
• UGro Plug propagation cylinder
• UGro Plug Rhiza propagation cylinder
• UGro Plug RHIZA - propagation Jiffy (24 pcs)

• UGro Slab - compressed mat: Are you growing perennials or long-term crops? Try this compressed block with UGro quality, which has cleverly moulded holes in the base to facilitate irrigation while ensuring proper drainage of the substrate. The packaging is adapted for UV stability. And as with UGro products, the beneficial Trichoderma is included for a healthy “micro-life” and improved nutrient management. A bag of UGro Slab weighs 1.6 kg. Just add 4 liters of water and you will obtain 15 liters of top-quality substrate.

Environmental corner

Ecology and sustainability linked to peatland protection is the Spanish manufacturer’s number one theme. By protecting peatlands on Earth, harmful emissions of large amounts of carbon dioxide—which equal a tenth of global greenhouse gas emissions—loss of biodiversity and food resources for community livelihoods are reduced, which applies not only in India.

If UGro’s ecological growing media for home and outdoor cultivation have interested you at least half as much as they did us, feel free to ask us anything you want to know. We will gladly advise you at the familiar email address info@higarden.cz.

We also recommend these products:

• Shogun Samurai Coco A+B
• BioNova AutoFlower SuperMix
• Integra Boost 62% humidity, Terpene Essentials Limonene

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• How to grow in a greenhouse?
• 100W full-spectrum supplemental light Lumatek BAR 2.9
• ONA Block: solid odour absorber