Find Out How You Can Use This Eco-Friendly Product And Promote Water Conservation

Coco Peat though made from the husk of coconut after machining and being processed retains its pure 100% organic origin. It helps in saving water, acts as an organic fertilizer (without actually being one), binds the soil together and also helps you to increase the average yield of the crops. Coco peat also helps in even distribution of nutrients, and is very sustainable as it can be reused over and over again for a long period of time. This particular product is known for its water conservation technique that makes it stand out among all other sustainable substitutes.

Here’s how coco peat helps in saving water:

• Low maintenance: Soil without coco peat require frequent showers for distribution of nutrients and even plant growth. When a large proportion of plants are being cultivated its important to water them regularly to prevent wilting and other side effects. When these plants growing on soil without coco peat are watered, the soil loses a lot of it through vaporization and other natural phenomenon. With the use of coco peat this frequent watering is not essential at all. Once watered it can hold it for 7 days which means at the end of the day you need less water for maintenance of plant yield.
• Seepage of water: Coco Peat has pores through which water seeps in and it is hence able to hold up to 7 times more water than normal soil. Thus using coco peat in areas which faces water scarcity and also the areas where the farmers rely on government aid or rainfall for irrigation purpose is a permanent remedy that promotes sustainable use of water. The soil can then provide water as per the need of the plants for a long duration without being watered frequently.
• Even distribution of water and minerals: Due to its great water retention capacity it can conduct mineral through soil and help in even distribution of nutrients in the soil. Water is necessary for plants to transport minerals and nutrients to different parts and as coco peat helps in even distribution of nutrients excess watering for such purposes can be avoided resulting in water conservation.
• Re-usability: Coco Peat unlike the various chemical products is re-usable. Thus farmers and flower growers can buy it once and can reuse it for the effective growth of the crop with the sustainable utilization of the nutrients and the water resources available.
• Soil binding ability: Coco Peat also binds the soil together and thus helps in reducing the dust particle percentage in air thus reducing air pollution. Binding the soil together also helps in conservation of water, as less water is lost through evaporation.

A study reveals that coco peat usage should be increased all over the world especially in developing countries. Also places like that of Africa which faces enormous scarcity of water should increase the use of coco peat in order to promote water conservation technique. Using coco peat also increases the overall yield of the crop. It also reduces the overall investment that the farmer makes and hence helps in maximizing his profit. This pure organic product is rapidly proving to be a sustainable alternative and trailblazer in water conservation techniques.

Managing Drought In The Ancient Times: Find Out Here How Our Forefathers Survived It

Life on earth exists because the earth has the very storehouse of water required for lives to exist. Around 75% of the earth’s surface is filled with water, although all of this percentage cannot be utilized. Everyone on this planet does not get this premier elixir in abundance in spite of it being not too costly. In fact water is often considered as a paradox because the most precious liquid is dirt cheap in most places. People who are located in regions of the continents where rivers flow, oceans are nearby, are often luckier than those who reside on the banks of sand dunes where water itself plays and becomes an illusion to trick the thirsty souls. Well, fortune takes a hand at times and ensures that people who are enriched with an abundant source of water comes face to face with dry spells.

A prolonged period of time without the blissful showers from heaven can make the life of people miserable. Drought has been a cunning guest of Mother Nature since eternity. Sometimes it lasted for a week or so and at times years or even decades. In ancient times droughts were common and people often considered it to be a curse or punishment from the messengers of heaven. They faced drought as if it was an ordinance to follow. Perhaps they kept their head low as they did not have much appendage to help their situation. The absence of precipitation for a considerable amount of time affects the ecosystem as well as the atmosphere. The droughts would eventually occur as a by-product of their indigenous practices like slash and burn cultivation, deforestation for shelter, food, etc. They were not equipped to outlast the effect of drought. The only form of living was agriculture and that occupation experienced a great setback during droughts. People who could sustain the drought survived while the rest died due to the sun-baked atmosphere without the seasoning of rain spatters. A few would consider removing themselves from the ‘cursed’ area and enter a new world by migrating.

The world remembers the severe and the consecutive effect of drought in the 1930s in the United States of America when people from the several counties of Rolla, Kansas moved to the west in search of occupation. Agriculture was the most affected sector contributing to the Great Depression when banks failed, unemployment soared and life became lifeless. Some tried to resist the drought with the hope of a miracle to happen, rain to usher, while others migrated to different areas. This showcases how people faced the severe consequences of drought without having the power to overcome them. They were forced to act as mere puppets in the hands of Nature. If they had anything that could make their agriculture go on at that time, it could have saved thousands of lives.

Today, we can create a difference. We, the successors of those worthy souls who had to die due to lack of their livelihood, can make a divergence. A miracle has born. A boon to overcome the effects of drought is here. The answer is coco peat. Nowadays, coco peat is endowed with brilliant soil conditioning properties. It acts like a sponge having water retention capabilities. It can hold moisture up to 7 times its volume. Not only that, it does help in strengthening the roots of the plants. It also maintains the pH level required to cultivate. Coconut husks can be shredded to huge chunks which can act as a splendid growing medium during dry spells. Growers of Kenya, Wisconsin, and Minnesota etc. hugely depend on this organic media for economizing even when chances to cultivate are insufficient. Coco Peat has been a pioneer in the agronomic industry in the last few decades, especially in drought prone and arid areas. We have reached the moon; we can no longer afford to bow down to natural calamities.

Looking Beyond Horticulture Will Be Key To Success For Coco Peat Manufacturers

Today horticultural industries consume or buys 80% of the coco peat manufactured in India and Sri Lanka, 90% of the manufacturers sell only to this industry. This makes the market very highly price sensitive, leaving quality manufacturers with minimum profit, therefore no room for expansion or investment. The secret is to identify new areas of application, new initiatives. This is the key if this market is to move forward. Adding value to the product in terms of quality, commitment, customization leaves buyer to look at other productive jobs. Boyce Agro works with manufacturers and helps find new areas for improved profits and improved consistent quality.

Animal bedding industry have better potential for coir pith exporters due to its softness and no harm characteristic helps the animals. It has better advantage of being ‘no harm’ material when pets eats them. Being exporter for reptile bedding industry, we identify huge potential for our nature product. There are various other applications that are upcoming with the use of coco peat and we constantly working on projects to explore coco peat endless benefits.

Handling any commodity in effective manner leaves you less expenses. We do improved ways of handling and palletising to reduce waste. Maintained machines to avoid costly breakdowns and better ways of measuring quality results. We committed to develop coco peat industry by means of delivering quality and value added service to customers globally.

This article is written and posted by Boyce Agro - A coco peat manufacturer and exporter from India and sri Lanka.

Are You Experiencing These Stunning Breakthroughs In Horticulture?

An ever expanding branch of science dealing with the science, technology and business of vegetable gardening,  plant growing, which includes the cultivation of medicinal plants, sprouts, fruits, vegetables, seaweeds, nuts, seeds, herbs, algae, flowers, mushrooms, and non-food crops like ornamental plants and grass. The development rate which is affecting every field hasn’t let the horticulture down, and with new practises horticulture is widening its scope. With recent advancement so as to use by-products in some other use, using conservation of water and better methodology for plant growth always adds to the good cause.

• A three year study which was carried out by G. Caruso, G. Villari, C. Borrelli, G. Russo on asparagus in South Italy with the purpose of verifying the possibility to practise organic management and the conventional process. The end results showed that though the conventional process yields more output, but the practise of organic management as if to add manure to the soil certainly increased the output.  
• In another experiment which was conducted by F. Piazzolla, M.L. Amodio, R. Rinaldi and few others to evaluate the effect of the type of fertilization and stage of maturity harvest on red and yellow ‘Cazzone’ peppers, the maturity stage influenced color parameters and soluble solids, acidity and pH for both the specified types and fertilizers had adverse effect when it was studied in the long run.
• In a field experiment in south Kashmir conducted by, A. Kumar and I. Ahad, to identify the suitable strawberry cultivators for higher production showed that maximum results were obtained under polyhouse conditions.

Other than these researches there are more aspects of horticulture  that are flourishing with each passing day. One such instance is the use of coco peat. Coco Peat is made from coconut husks which are obtained as by product of other industries that uses coconuts. Coir fibre pith or coir dust is the main constituent of coco peat and is obtained by processing of coconut husk and then removing the fibres. This coco peat used as soil additive, is used as absorbent in wet floors and can be sometimes used to make seats and sofa-sets .

Water conservation is also an aspect worth concern in case of horticulture. There can be various ways used for the utilization of water like sprinkle irrigation and drip irrigation that would be so beneficiary. Saving and using water conservation techniques helps us to use water in emergency time.

Plant growth is a factor that one considers in horticulture. We usually don’t grow the same plant over and over again in the same soil as that would make the soil deficient in some specific nutrients. For instance, we cultivate pulses for restoration of various nutrients. Legumes are a great way for nitrogen fixation.

The modernization in the various techniques that are included in horticulture we see that our mother nature is being saved in every possible way and these techniques also increase the standard of the outputs. These techniques not only provide benefits to human in short term, but the various techniques such as conservation of water and soil also helps us to use these resources as and when required.

Gardens Can Change Lives?

Gardens, they come in all shapes and sizes.  From the humble back garden to the stately country park estate.  But they all have the same thing in common.  They bring great pleasure to both young and old.  They keep you fit and can reduce your stress levels.  The joy of sitting on the patio with a cup of tea admiring the colorful blooms can give you so much satisfaction.

Garden centres and Nurseries are there to readily supply the professional gardener right down to the novice who likes to potter around in their back garden.  Every garden tool, through to packs of seeds. Different shaped pots, bedding plants, shrubs and trees all lined up for the grand designer.

But it takes many years and perseverance to get an established garden. But don’t despair. If you don’t have the space, or don’t have the green fingers, all is not lost.  There are many fine gardens around the world where you can visit.

The gardens at the Chateau de Versailles in France. 250 acres filled with paths that lead to flower beds and quiet tranquil areas filled with ornaments and lakes. The Royal Botanical gardens in Kew, England. This is filled with greenhouses.  Beneath the domes, botanical science and conservation come together.  In the grounds is housed the largest Victorian greenhouse in the world.  The Bonsai house has trees that are more than 150 years old.

For something more colorful there is the Keukenhof gardens in The Netherlands. It has more than 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths within its grounds.  The Netherlands is famous for its tulips and the growing of bulbs.  100 million bulbs are exported annually around the world.

Gardens also feature in many a good novel.  The Secret Garden written by Frances Hodgson Burnett based in Yorkshire, England.  Where a young orphan discovers the secret garden in her Uncle’s gloomy estate and brings it back to life.

Oscar Wilde wrote a short story called The Selfish Giant’s Garden.  The giant builds a high wall to keep the children out of his beautiful garden.  The garden is plunged into continual winter until the day the children return.

Tom’s Midnight Garden is another classic novel where Tom who lives in an urban apartment block. He slips out one night to discover a magical garden that existed many years ago.

Nursery rhymes do not escape the garden topic. Small little ditties like Round and round the garden written in the 1940’s.  But the most related nursery rhyme is Mary Mary quite contrary written around the 1700’s
Mary Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With cockle shells and silver bells
And pretty maids in a row.

But I prefer this version written in 2015
Mary Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With coco peat and coir blocks
Supplied by Boyce Agro.

Enjoy your garden, whatever size.  Real or mythical.

CHRISTOPHER HUNT

BOYCE AGRO

UK

British Gardens during the Roman Years

To get a good picture of Romano-British gardens of antiquity, we must consider their prototypes in Italy. Horticulture in primitive Italy, as in other countries, was at its beginning merely intended for practical purposes. Gradually the Latin word hortus, applied in the days of republican simplicity to a field of vegetables, was stretched, at the time of the luxurious emperors, to denote pleasure gardens of the utmost magnificence. In this latter period, the source of every new form of Roman art, including garden architecture, was Greece, which in its turn had received inspiration from Egypt, Persia, and Assyria.

Egyptian gardens are the earliest of which definite records still exist. Pictures and inscriptions, dating far back into the centuries before Christ, show that most Egyptian dwellings were built around a series of courtyards containing vegetation both useful and ornamental. Originally, a row of trees along the inner wall of the building shaded it and the enclosed quadrangle. Later, the tree trunks gave place to solid columns, and the overhanging branches to projecting rafters, which resulted in a general effect foreshadowing the Greek peristyle (columned porch or colonnade) and monastic cloisters.

Religious significance was attached to almost every feature in pre-Christian gardens, and tree worship was observed in all ancient countries. Among the favorites were the pine, the emblem of Cybele, the oak of Jupiter, the laurel of Apollo, the myrtle of Venus, the poplar of Hercules, and the olive of Minerva. The cypress was also grown in many places. Yew, although common, was not much esteemed; instead, juniper and rosemary were often employed for topiary work.   Box, too, was frequently clipped, and then, as now, considered the best shrub for edgings.

The rose, the lily, and the violet were among the most distinguished flowers of antiquity, but the narcissus, anemone, gladiolus, iris, poppy, amaranth, immortelle, verbena, periwinkle, and crocus were also cultivated and admired. Many flowerless plants like basil, sweet marjoram, and thyme were grown for their fragrance, while the acanthus was welcome on account of its beautiful foliage. Ivy covered the walls or was trained to form garlands between trees and columns.

Comments if any kindly share with us at mail@boyceagro.com. Boyce Agro is a leading exporter of cocopeat and garden supplies.

Wimbledon and strawberries - An untold Story

With Wimbledon 2015 just around the corner (29th June 2015) our thoughts don't just turn to the tennis and the manicured courts. But also the red succulent strawberry.  With 8600 punnets containing 10 strawberries are expected to be sold each day over the two week tournament. Strawberries are synonymous with this annual fortnight.

It is one of the most popular 'fruits' in the world. There are more than 10 species that differ in flavour, size and texture, yet all have the same heart shaped , red flesh and seeded coat. But did you know the strawberry is actually not a fruit. It is in fact a member of the rose family.

Strawberries have a long history and date back to the Roman times. Native to many parts of the world. Hundreds of varieties exist to cross breeding techniques.

In 1714 a French engineer commissioned to Chile and Peru saw that the strawberry native to those regions was much larger than those in Europe. He brought back a sample to cultivate in France. The end result was our sweet hybrid garden strawberry.

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and K also providing fibre, folic acid, manganese and potassium. Their fibre and fructose content may help regulate blood sugar levels by slowing digestion, and the fibre is thought to have satiating effect. Their leaves can also be eaten raw, cooked or used to make tea.

The vibrant red colour of strawberries is due to large amounts of anthocyanidin. This means they contain powerful antioxidants and thought to protect against inflammatory cancer and heart disease.

The even better news is that strawberries can easily be grown in coco peat grow bags and you can get a good crop of tasty fruit from the smallest garden or patio, or even a sunny balcony.

But finally just a word of warning....go easy on the fresh cream topping.

Enjoy the tennis and love the strawberries.  But bring your brolly!

CHRISTOPHER HUNT

BOYCE AGRO

UK