Soft Fruit Substrate: Coco Peat for Strawberry & Blueberry Farms

Soft fruit crops such as strawberries and blueberries require a highly stable, well-aerated, and low-salinity growing medium. For commercial greenhouse and hydroponic farms, coco peat has become the preferred substrate worldwide.

Why Soft Fruit Crops Need Specialized Substrates

Strawberries and blueberries have fine, sensitive root systems. Any fluctuation in EC, pH, or moisture can directly affect:

• Root health and nutrient uptake
• Flowering consistency
• Fruit size, sweetness, and shelf life
• Overall yield per plant

This is why professional growers avoid traditional soil and move toward controlled substrates like coco peat.

Why Coco Peat Is Ideal for Strawberry & Blueberry Production

Coco peat (also called coco coir or coir pith) offers a unique balance of water retention and aeration that soft fruit crops require.

• Low EC when washed (< 0.5 mS/cm)
• Stable pH range (5.5 – 6.8), ideal for berries
• Excellent oxygen availability for fine roots
• Uniform structure for consistent plant growth
• Reduced risk of root diseases

Performance Benefits in Berry Greenhouses

Farms using coco peat as a soft fruit substrate report:

• Faster root establishment after transplanting
• More uniform flowering and fruit setting
• Improved fruit firmness and sugar content
• Higher yield per square meter

These advantages are especially important for export-oriented strawberry and blueberry producers.

Coco Peat vs Traditional Soil for Berry Crops

Criteria	Coco Peat	Soil
EC Control	Excellent	Unstable
pH Stability	Controlled	Variable
Root Aeration	High	Low to Moderate
Disease Risk	Low	High
Yield Consistency	High	Inconsistent

Recommended Coco Peat Formats for Berry Farms

Depending on farm scale and cultivation method, VinaTap offers multiple coco peat solutions:

• Coco Peat Grow Bags for Strawberry & Blueberry
• Cocopeat Blocks for Nursery & Transplanting
• Jumbo Coco Peat for Large Greenhouse Projects

Washed & Buffered Coco Peat for Export Farms

For strawberry and blueberry farms supplying international markets, washed and buffered coco peat is essential.

VinaTap coco peat is processed to remove excess sodium and potassium, then buffered with calcium to ensure long-term nutrient stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coco peat suitable for blueberries with low pH requirements?
Yes. Coco peat naturally supports pH adjustment and works well with fertigation programs for blueberry crops.

Can coco peat be reused for multiple berry cycles?
Yes. With proper treatment, coco peat can be reused for several cycles, reducing substrate cost per harvest.

Source Professional Coco Peat from Vietnam

VinaTap Vietnam Co., Ltd
???? Long Binh Industrial Zone, Bien Hoa, Dong Nai, Vietnam
???? vinatap@gmail.com
???? WhatsApp / Viber / WeChat: +84 888 888 609
???? www.vinatap.vn