Summary of BE CAREFUL AS COCOPEAT CAN BECOME HYDROPHOBIC | SUCCULENT CARE TIPS

The video discusses a common issue with using Cocopeat (Coco Coir) in Succulent soil mixes: over time, Cocopeat can become hydrophobic, meaning it repels water instead of absorbing it. This causes watering problems where water quickly passes through the pot’s drainage without actually reaching the Succulent roots, leading to dehydration despite the appearance of moist soil.

Key Points and Tips:

• Hydrophobic Cocopeat Issue:
  • Cocopeat can compact and become hydrophobic over time.
  • When watering, only the outer layer of soil gets wet; the inner root ball remains dry.
  • Water tends to repel from the compacted Cocopeat and drains out immediately, causing “false watering.”
  • This leads to Succulent roots not receiving adequate moisture, causing dehydration and potential plant decline.
• How to Identify Hydrophobic Soil:
  • When dunking the root ball in water, only the surface wets while the inside remains dry.
  • Soil may appear loose and wet on top but is dry and crumbly inside.
  • Water quickly drains out without soaking the root zone.
• Advice for Succulent Care:
  • Be cautious when using Cocopeat, especially in humid environments where it may worsen Root Rot or pest issues.
  • If Cocopeat is not working well for you, consider switching to a different soil mix.
  • If Cocopeat works well in your environment, you can continue using it.
  • Avoid assuming watering is complete just because water drains out; check root moisture.

Notable Mentions:

• The speaker is Lash Gardner.
• The video references previous content about repotting succulents with Cocopeat.
• Emphasizes that soil choice depends on environment and personal experience.
• Encourages viewers to experiment and find what works best for their plants.

Overall, the video serves as a caution about the limitations of Cocopeat in Succulent care and encourages attentive watering practices to avoid dehydration caused by hydrophobic soil.

Notable Quotes

— 00:56 — « This is called as being hydrophobic. »

— 01:48 — « This is called as false watering because it gives you an assumption that you have done a complete watering. »

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Lifestyle

Video