Coconut Coir

[IdahoOrchid]

It is sold as an alternative to peat moss. It is also an ingredient in Aussie Gold orchid mixes. It comes in a very tightly compressed block that they recommend expanding with 10 GALLONS OF WATER!!!!

Is there anything I should do with it before using it other than just rinsing it out?

[smartie2000]

Wash it in water. Than soak with water and epsom salts. The epsom salts are beneficial for the plants and will replace the sodium in the husks.

I didn't wash mine and my plants were fine. It depends on where they came from. Mine came from a vendor, I don't know where they came from or if he washed them

[smartie2000]

oops nevermind all that that is for coconut husks and chunks...

[Diane]

I've received a couple plants in it - could not figure out how to grow in it within my environment. Repotted using more traditional media.

[IdahoOrchid]

oops nevermind all that that is for coconut husks and chunks...

I still think I may do something like that anyway, just to be sure. It has to soak to expand anyway. Also, I did not know that mag. sulfate would do that with sodium!!!

[orchid-man]

try this link

http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~sp...0treatment.doc

[IdahoOrchid]

Thanks, Murray, but I got a blank doc when opened in Appleworks. Any chance you could send it to me as a text doc via email?

[orchid-man]

Thanks, Murray, but I got a blank doc when opened in Appleworks. Any chance you could send it to me as a text doc via email?

PM me with the address and I will send it as a PDF