Hydroponics · Substrate growing

Cocopeat grow slab system

Compressed low-EC cocopeat slabs in white-on-black UV sleeves, fed by drip. A clean, quick way to grow capsicum, tomato and cucumber without soil, designed, made and installed by Kryzen inside your polyhouse.

350+farms built by Kryzen across India

  • Ready-to-use slabs

    Compressed low-EC cocopeat in a sealed UV sleeve. Soak, cut planting holes and plant.

  • Exact feeding by drip

    A dripper at every plant gives the whole row the same measured feed.

  • Made for long crops

    Capsicum, tomato and cucumber grow for months in the same slab.

What is a grow slab?

Ready-to-plant cocopeat, sealed in a sleeve

Quick answer

A grow slab is a block of compressed low-EC washed cocopeat sealed in a white-on-black UV sleeve. It is soaked, planting holes are cut in the top, and a few plants grow in each slab, fed by drip. It is widely used for long-cycle capsicum, tomato and cucumber.

It works like cocopeat grow bags, but the cocopeat arrives compressed and sealed, so setup is quicker and cleaner.

How a cocopeat grow slab system works

How it works

From fertigation tank to slab

Six parts deliver the same measured feed to every plant on every slab.

  1. Fertigation tank and pump in a Kryzen grow slab farm
    01

    Fertigation tank and pump

    Nutrients are mixed in a fertigation tank. A pump and filter send the solution to the drip lines on a timer.

  2. Cocopeat grow slabs in a Kryzen grow slab farm
    02

    Cocopeat grow slabs

    Each slab is a flat block of compressed low-EC cocopeat, sealed in a white-on-black UV sleeve. White reflects heat and light; black keeps roots dark.

  3. Planting holes and soaking in a Kryzen grow slab farm
    03

    Planting holes and soaking

    Planting holes are cut in the top of the sleeve and the slab is soaked with nutrient solution until it swells to full size.

  4. Drippers at every plant in a Kryzen grow slab farm
    04

    Drippers at every plant

    A drip stake goes into the slab beside each plant, so every plant gets the same measured feed.

  5. Drain cuts and run-off in a Kryzen grow slab farm
    05

    Drain cuts and run-off

    Small cuts at the base of the sleeve let extra solution drain away, so roots never sit in water.

  6. Daily monitoring in a Kryzen grow slab farm
    06

    Daily monitoring

    Kryzen hydroBUILD automation reads EC and pH and shows them on your phone, so doses can be adjusted every day. See IoT and automation.

Growing media

Types of cocopeat: low EC vs high EC

Not all cocopeat is the same. For hydroponics, Kryzen uses only low-EC washed cocopeat.

Low-EC washed cocopeat next to high-EC unwashed cocopeat, with an EC meter
PointLow-EC cocopeat (washed)High-EC cocopeat (unwashed)
Salt level (EC)Low: below 0.5 mS/cmHigh: above 1 mS/cm
WashingWashed in fresh water to remove sodium and potassium saltsNot washed; natural salts stay in the cocopeat
BufferingBuffered, so it does not lock up calcium and magnesiumNot buffered
pH5.5–6.5, ready for nutrient solutionVaries by batch
Effect on rootsHealthy roots; feed EC stays under your controlSalt stress, root burn and uneven growth
UseHydroponics and nurseries; used on every Kryzen farmNot for hydroponics

Cocopeat and coco fibre mix: what to buy

Block of 100% cocopeat with loose cocopeat
  • Good quality

    100% cocopeat

    Holds water and air evenly. The right grade for grow slabs and grow bags.

  • Low water retention

    75% cocopeat, 25% coco fibre (coir)

    Drains too fast, so plants need more frequent feeds.

  • Poor quality

    50% cocopeat, 50% coco fibre

    Dries out quickly and gives uneven root growth.

  • Not for agriculture

    25% cocopeat, 75% coco fibre

    Mostly fibre. Used for mats, ropes and packing, not for crops.

Cocopeat comes in compressed blocks. Ask for the EC report and the cocopeat-to-fibre ratio before you buy.

Crop support

Trellising for tall crops

Capsicum, tomato and cucumber in grow slabs grow tall. Strings and clips keep every plant upright.

Trellis strings hanging from support wires above rows of grow slabs
Trellis clip holding a tomato stem to its string
  • Support wires

    Overhead wires run along every row, fixed to the polyhouse structure above the bags.

  • Hooks and strings

    A string hangs from the wire down to each plant. Hooks hold spare string, so tall plants can be lowered as they grow.

  • Trellis clips

    Plastic clips hold the stem to the string every few leaves without hurting the plant.

  • Why it matters

    Upright plants get more light and air, fruits stay clean and off the ground, and harvest is faster.

Choose your system

Grow slab vs cocopeat grow bags

Both feed cocopeat by drip. The difference is a sealed, compressed slab versus loose cocopeat in bags.

PointGrow slabCocopeat grow bags
MediaCompressed low-EC cocopeat slab in a sealed sleeveLoose low-EC cocopeat filled into bags
SetupLay, soak and cut planting holesFill each bag with cocopeat on site
Root zoneLong, flat slab shared by a few plantsOne bag per plant or pair of plants
DrainageDrain cuts at the base of the sleeveHoles in the bag
Best forLong-cycle capsicum, tomato and cucumberCapsicum, cucumber and tomato

Why build one

Advantages of cocopeat grow slabs

A clean, quick setup and an even root zone for long crops.

  • Clean, quick setup

    Slabs arrive compressed and sealed. Lay them out, soak, plant.

  • Exact feeding by drip

    Every plant gets the same measured solution, planned with our nutrient calculator.

  • Forgiving system

    Cocopeat buffers water and nutrients, so short power cuts do not harm the crop.

  • No soil diseases or weeds

    The sealed sleeve keeps roots off the soil, and weedmat keeps the floor clean.

  • Cool, healthy roots

    The white outer face reflects heat; the black inner face keeps roots in the dark.

  • Clean, uniform produce

    Fruits grow off the ground and stay clean, ready to grade and pack.

  • Easy crop change

    Remove the old slab and lay a new one between crops, with no bed to dig or refill.

  • Climate-proof agriculture

    Inside a polyhouse, heat, rain and pests stay out and harvests stay steady all year.

Technical details

Grow slab specifications

Slab layout and spacing are planned for your area and crop after a site inspection. Every value goes in writing in your quotation.

Kryzen cocopeat grow slabs on raised slab supports with drip stakes
Compressed cocopeat grow slab before soaking
Compressed slab, before soaking
SpecificationKryzen grow slab system
SystemDrip-fed cocopeat grow slabs (substrate hydroponics)
Grow slabCompressed low-EC washed cocopeat in a white-on-black UV sleeve
PlantingPlanting holes cut in the sleeve; slab soaked before planting
FeedDrip line with a drip stake at every plant, on a timer
DrainageDrain cuts at the base of each slab
Slab supportRaised plastic slab supports keep slabs off the floor and let run-off drain
FloorWeedmat between rows
Crop supportOverhead wires, strings and clips for tall crops
MonitoringhydroBUILD EC and pH readings; doses planned with the Kryzen nutrient calculator

Made by Kryzen

Our own factory. Our own build team.

We cut, shape and quality-test the steel at our factory in Satara, Maharashtra, and our own construction team builds it on your land. You can follow every step live on your client portal at alpha.kryzen.com.

Power press at our factory
Power press at our factory
Our team on the press line
Our team on the press line
Pressing connectors and fittings
Pressing connectors and fittings
In-house fabrication
In-house fabrication

What to grow

Best crops for grow slabs

Long-cycle fruiting crops and cut flowers. Leafy greens grow better in NFT.

Cost and running

What a grow slab farm needs

Your quotation lists every item, and our team prepares a crop-wise projection for your farm before you build.

  • Steady power

    Drip runs on a timer. Cocopeat covers short cuts; we connect your generator or solar backup for longer ones.

  • Good water

    A water test before you start tells us how to plan the nutrient solution.

  • Daily EC and pH checks

    Check the feed and the run-off from the slabs every day to keep the solution right.

  • A polyhouse

    Grow slabs are set up inside a naturally ventilated or fan and pad polyhouse.

Plan your doses and your sales

Use the nutrient calculator to plan feeds for each crop. Current prices from Price Watcher go into your project report, and Buyers Connect helps you sell after harvest.

Included free

  • 6 months of virtual agronomy
  • 4-day training for your farm team
  • Hydroponic Masterclass logins
  • Farm management software
  • Buyers Connect

Worth ₹1.08 lakh

Compare

Grow slab vs soil farming

Soil farming costs less to start. Grow slabs use less water and fertiliser, avoid soil disease and give cleaner, more even produce.

PointSoil farmingGrow slab
Water useHigh; flood or open irrigationLow; measured drip to each plant
Yield per m²NormalHigher; roots get the right feed
Soil diseases and weedsCommonNone in the slab; weedmat on the floor
Fruit qualityMixed; soil splashClean and uniform
Fertiliser useBroadcast; much is lostExact doses through drip
Setup costLowHigher; see your quotation

Subsidy and finance

Subsidy for your grow slab farm

Polyhouses for hydroponic farms built to National Horticulture Board (NHB) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM) norms can apply for government subsidy. A bank loan is usually part of the project, and the subsidy is paid after the project is checked.

  • National Horticulture Board logo

    NHB subsidy provider

    Kryzen is a registered National Horticulture Board subsidy provider for all states.

  • National Horticulture Mission logo

    NHM state subsidy provider

    Enrolled with the National Horticulture Mission in Maharashtra and Karnataka for state horticulture schemes.

  • Project report for your bank

    We prepare the detailed project report (DPR) your bank and subsidy file need, with cost, finance and profit projections.

Subsidy amounts depend on the scheme, your state and current government guidelines. The final decision is made by the government department.

How we build

From first call to first harvest

Ten steps, one team. Most projects are built in 45 to 90 days after material reaches the site.

  1. Free online consultation
    1

    Free online consultation

    We discuss your land, water, budget and goals on a video or phone call.

  2. Site inspection
    2

    Site inspection

    Our team checks level, slope, sunlight, soil, water, power and road access.

  3. Design and quotation
    3

    Design and quotation

    We design for your climate and crops, and share a detailed quotation.

  4. Project report and finance
    4

    Project report and finance

    We prepare the DPR for your bank loan and subsidy file.

  5. Subsidy and loan
    5

    Subsidy and loan

    We help you apply for NHB or NHM subsidy and your bank loan, with the documents each office needs.

  6. Manufacturing
    6

    Manufacturing

    We cut, shape and quality-test the material at our factory in Satara.

  7. Construction
    7

    Construction

    Our team builds the foundations, structure and growing systems on your land.

  8. Testing and handover
    8

    Testing and handover

    We test every system and hand over a working farm.

  9. Training and agronomy
    9

    Training and agronomy

    Hands-on training for your team and 6 months of virtual agronomy support.

  10. Harvest management
    10

    Harvest management

    We help you plan harvests, grading and sales, with market prices from Price Watcher and buyers through Buyers Connect.

FAQ

Questions about grow slabs

Not sure which system suits your farm? Call us on +91-9870424425.

What is a grow slab?

A grow slab is a block of compressed low-EC washed cocopeat sealed in a white-on-black UV sleeve. You soak it, cut planting holes and grow a few plants in each slab, fed by drip.

Which crops grow best in grow slabs?

Long-cycle fruiting crops such as capsicum, tomato and cucumber, and also chilli, brinjal and cut flowers like gerbera and rose.

How is a grow slab different from a grow bag?

Both use drip-fed cocopeat. A slab comes compressed and sealed, ready to soak and plant; a grow bag is filled with loose cocopeat on site.

Why is the sleeve white outside and black inside?

White reflects heat and light away from the roots, and black keeps the root zone dark so algae cannot grow.

Which cocopeat is used in a grow slab?

Low-EC washed cocopeat, ideally 100% cocopeat. Mixes with a lot of coco fibre drain too fast and give uneven growth.

What happens if the power fails?

Cocopeat holds water, so plants handle short power cuts. For longer cuts, Kryzen connects the drip system to your generator or solar backup.

How long does installation take?

Most projects are built in 45 to 90 days after material reaches the site.

Is there a subsidy for grow slab farming?

The polyhouse can get NHB or NHM subsidy, and the project can use a bank loan. Our team prepares the project report and subsidy file.

Talk to our team

Plan your grow slab farm with us

Tell us your land, crop and budget. We’ll tell you honestly whether grow slabs, grow bags or troughs suit you, then share a detailed quotation.