Buffered coco coir that has not only been organically produced but also is OMRI listed – that's CalciGro, recently launched by FibreDust. "CalciGro offers improved nutrient uptake, lower electrical conductivity (EC), and a high cation exchange capacity (CEC), making it an ideal choice for a wide range of crops," says Andrew Pidgeon. "It's an answer to growers looking to improve their crop yield while minimizing while using an environmentally friendly buffered solution."
The OMRI listing is a festive moment for the team with Fibredust, as it is the culmination of hard work. "Our team at FibreDust recognized the need for a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to existing buffered coir products," says Andy, "but finding an organic resource and adjusting its profile to perform the same reactions on coir as the chemical treatment does, in order to eliminate non-soluble salts, was a challenge."
FibreDust's Indian team: Kabilesh, Krishna, dr Satheesh, Rajendran & Venkat
Washing & buffering
He explains how washing and then buffering coir is critically important to your plants. "When you wash coir with low EC water (often RO water), you reduce the soluble salts in the media. But washing can only do so much. By buffering, you accomplish two very important things. Firstly you reduce even more salt, but you also release potassium from the medium. The more salt and potassium you release, the more receptors are available for important nutrients your plants need to thrive. It took considerable time and effort to research and develop a process that could achieve the same results as the chemical treatment but in an organic and sustainable manner."
FibreDust has been producing coir and buffered coir for many years. "We have a long history of producing quality coir on a tremendous scale. Our challenge was to research and find the right solution that could achieve the buffering we needed and still produce a competitively-priced product for the market. Our customers need solutions that are cost-effective and get the job done." CalciGro offers a range of benefits for crops, including enhanced nutrient uptake and lower EC levels. "Its high CEC, near-neutral pH, excellent expansion, and aeration ensure that plants have access to essential nutrients without the risk of nutrient lockout. This buffered coir provides optimal growing conditions for a wide variety of plants, leading to increased yields and improved crop quality."
CalciGro has already gained popularity among a wide range of growers, including berry, vegetable, and cannabis growers. "Since the product is pre-processed to eliminate non-soluble salts, it is a ready-to-use solution for these growers, making it an ideal choice for enhancing crop growth and yield. Our commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious practices has also appealed to growers who prioritize responsible cultivation methods."
The team of FibreDust at last years MJBizCon
Organic food production
Thanks to the OMRI Listing, CalciGro can be used in the production of organic food. "Currently, we see the greatest interest in this solution coming on two fronts. First, those growing sensitive crops on a large scale are looking for an organic buffered solution. Another market shows tremendous interest in the consumer. They want an organic solution, and many soil mixers who provide consumer products are the main drivers behind this product", Andrew says.
"We believe that the organic market will continue to grow and become increasingly important in the years ahead. Consumers are becoming more aware of the benefits of organic products, and this is driving demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. With the increased focus on health and well-being, more people are choosing organic food and products, which is creating a shift in the market." The team with FibreDust is confident this trend will continue, and there will be a growing demand for organic soilless growing media. "As people become more aware of the importance of sustainability and the negative impact of synthetic fertilizers, there will be an increased need for natural alternatives. Our focus on providing eco-friendly and sustainable growing media solutions puts us in a strong position to meet this growing demand."
He adds they also believe the development of new technologies and innovations will drive the organic market forward. "As we continue to develop new products like CalciGro, which is a buffered coir that is organic and sustainable, we will be able to offer growers more effective and dependable solutions. By staying at the forefront of innovation and sustainability, we are confident that we can continue to meet the needs of the organic market and help growers achieve their goals in a sustainable and eco-friendly way."
For more information:
FibreDust
Andrew Pidgeon
Tel.: 860-597-3844
[email protected]
www.fibredust.com