JPS6352848B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention is lightweight, easy to handle, has excellent water retention,
This invention relates to a plant planting material that inhibits the propagation of pathogenic microorganisms and is suitable for planting various plants in pots, etc., and for soil improvement.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, drainage basins, hydroculture, soil, and the like have been used as planting materials for plants such as orchids, Saintpaulia, chrysanthemums, and carnations. These planting materials need to be lightweight to reduce the labor required to move the pot, have water retention properties that can supply sufficient moisture to the roots even at long watering intervals, and provide nutrients necessary for plant growth. In addition, it is required to have properties such as preventing the propagation of pathogenic microorganisms, having a good appearance, being easy to handle, and having no off-odor.

[Technical problem to be solved by the invention]

However, a plant implant material having all of the above characteristics has not yet been provided.

The present inventor attempted to use dried pulp and peel of a coconut from which seeds have been removed, as a material for planting plants, since it satisfies the above-mentioned requirements.
In reality, the plants did not grow as expected. After examining the reason for this, we found that when this material is immersed in water, a reddish-brown "scum" containing tannins is eluted.
It was discovered that this "scum" has a negative effect on plant growth. Therefore, there was a need for a technology that could remove the scum while taking advantage of the excellent properties of coconut pulp.

[Means of problem solving]

The present invention aims to solve the above problems,
Its structure is characterized by compressing the pulp of a coconut in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber bundle direction and then cutting it.

The pulp part of a coconut according to the present invention is the pulp part and pericarp that remain after removing the seeds and seed coat from the coconut. The part of the pulp called the coconut shell is close to the seed, and this part is dense and is used as a raw material for coconut shell charcoal. Although this part can also be used, the outer part of the pulp is more porous than the so-called coconut shell and is therefore a preferable raw material. Further, the pericarp does not need to be particularly removed and can be used as is even if it is attached to the pulp.

In the present invention, it is necessary to press the pulp of the palm. The direction of compression is approximately perpendicular to the direction of the fiber bundle. Squeezing in this direction simply reduces the distance between the fibers and does not apply any force to the fibers to bend or bend them. Therefore, the pressing direction does not need to be exactly perpendicular to the direction of the fibers, but may be approximately perpendicular as long as the fibers of the pulp do not break or bend. The compression rate is about 1/3 to 1/10.
When coconut pulp is pressed and cut in this way, the porous structure unique to coconut pulp is not destroyed, and the cells are simply compressed between the fibers. Therefore, when water is absorbed again, the original porous structure is restored and a soil improvement material with water retention properties is obtained.

Next, the pressed palm pulp is cut into pieces. The degree of cutting varies depending on the type of transplanted plant, ranging from something close to powder to something up to 3 cm in diameter. In some cases, pumice may be added or other nutrients may be supplemented.

In use, the implant material of the present invention is soaked in a sufficient amount of water for about one day and one night. At this time, the palm pulp swells to almost its original size, and a large amount of reddish-brown scum is eluted. This water is discarded before use as implant material. Most of the scum in the palm pulp dissolves out in about one day and night, and after that, almost no coloring of the water is observed and it does not have any negative impact on the plants.

[Effect]

In the present invention, the pulp of a coconut is compressed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber bundle, so not only the fibers of the pulp but also the cell membranes are hardly destroyed. However, the protoplasm of the cell is destroyed, dried and attached to the cell wall. When immersed in a sufficient amount of water in this state, the "dirt" components that have dried and adhered to the cell walls separate from the cell walls and quickly dissolve in the water. Therefore, the ``black'' can be easily eluted, and the ``black'' can be easily eluted prior to use and used as an implant material.

On the other hand, dried coconut pulp that is not compressed is
The "dirt" component has a strong bond with the plant tissue, so even if it is immersed in water, the "dirt" will not be eluted all at once.
Since it continues to be gradually eluted as the plant tissue decays, it cannot be removed in advance, and plant growth inhibitory substances continue to be eluted, making it undesirable as a material for planting plants.

Furthermore, the compressed cell membranes of the implanted material of the invention absorb water to approximately their original size and restore the original porous structure together with the fiber bundles. This structure remains uncorroded for a long period of time, and as this structure repeatedly expands and contracts depending on the amount of moisture in the environment, its pumping action supplies a large amount of air, reducing soil compaction and subsidence, and preserving the structure. Fertilizer power and water retention capacity are increased, and plant root tension is significantly improved.

Example 1 The pulp layer from which seeds and seed shells were removed from a coconut fruit was compressed to about 1/5 in the direction perpendicular to the fiber bundles. This was then cut into pieces with an average diameter of about 2 cm. This potting material was soaked in water for one day and night, and after discarding the eluted reddish-brown water, it was mixed with pumice of about 1/4 of the swelling capacity to obtain a Cattleya potting material. With this planting material, it was sufficient to simply absorb water and plant it, and there was no need to wrap it around the roots like a water trough. Furthermore, no reddish-brown water was eluted when water was supplied.
With watering once every three days, the plant grew well and opened large flowers.

Example 2 The pulp of a coconut from which seeds and seed shells have been removed was pressed to about 1/3 in a semi-dry state, and cut into pieces with an average diameter of about 0.2 cm. After removing the pores from this in the same manner as in Example 1, it was used as an implantation material for Saintpaulia. Simply planting the plants did not damage the root crown, and the plants took root well and grew strong. Unlike soil, it has a good appearance and is easy to handle without getting your hands dirty.

Comparative Example 1 Palm pulp was cut into pieces, and then pressed to make an implant material. Even if this material was immersed in water for a day and night, there was little reddish-brown eluate, and the water was discarded and used as an orchid planting material. This material had significantly lower water retention than the implanted materials of Examples, and reddish-brown water flowed out every time water was supplied over a long period of time, resulting in poor plant growth and weak plants.

〔Effect of the invention〕

By the present invention, in which the pulp of a coconut is compressed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber bundle direction and then cut, it is possible to obtain a lightweight plant planting material that allows plants to grow strong and quickly.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 Plant implant material made by squeezing the pulp of a coconut in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber bundle direction and then cutting it.