coconut husk chip

[RyanNg]

Hi all,

I intend to repot the 2 phal. which i bought last week with coconut husk chip, small pebbles(perlite?) and charcoal. How do i process the coconut husk chip? Do i need to soak it overnite or just few hours?

Also, the humidity over here is high and temperature is warm. So, is it logical that i mixed less coconut husks with more perlite and charcoal?

[pikevi]

welcome to the forum, RyanNg.

I do soak them for a few hours and discard the water and re-soak them again for a few hours in fresh water. That is because many have said in this forum that they may contain some salt.

It is a precaution. I found that in India they use fresh river water to make coir/chips. But I don't take a chance. I have been tempted to lick the chips to see if it is salty but could not bring myself to trying that... yet!

[RyanNg]

ok, soaked the coconut husk chip 2 times. Wow, found that the root of one phal are mostly rotten. Has to trim away quite alot of them, not sure it will live.

Will see how well the coconut husk chip mixture over the next few weeks.

[tom499]

coconut chips hold water very well, so becareful about over watering.


This is just a problem I've had lately.

[ogus]

I like coconut chips + coconut shell pieces. Coconut shell pieces don't degrade like bark.. roots adhere really well.. don't hold water like the husk chip. So Coconut shell pieces + Charcoal + Schultz Orchid Mix + coconut husk chip + some perlites + medium bark are what I use for most of my orchids. They are doing great.. shooting out babies like they have no tomorrow.

[pikevi]

That is an interesting mix, ogus. Commercial and private mix!

I have 2 Q's re coconut shells: 1). how do you break them into small pieces? and 2). would they absorb at least a little bit of water?

I would not mind trying it if I can find the shells.

[Bolero]

CHC is my mix of choice. I find I don't need to add anything to it provided I use a highly quality product. I usually soak overnight and rinse the next day just to get the colour out of the water.

I have to say I have Phals flowering in it right now and temps here inside the house get to less than 10C on some nights.. The roots are growing like never before and they are very healthy. You live in a different climate so I don't know what to recommend for you but let us know how you go. Obviously my plants would grow better in a warmer climate but I can't complain.

[PSU_OrchidFan]

When using CHC, their ability to absorb and retain moisture also means that fertilizer salts tend to accumulate. Be sure to flush the plants often. I've been using CHC for over 10 years

[ogus]

coconut shells? Hammer of course.. haha.. they break pretty easy with hammer..
and some of the fibers left on top of the shells do retain water. I have over water tendency and using coconut shells solved much problems with my habit.. I will never be without coconut shells..

[pikevi]

Thanks, ogus.