View Full Version : Coconut Mulch?
Moonshiner
03-11-2009, 02:50 AM
I'll be potting up that new Dwarf Cav in the next few weeks and was wondering if anyone has used coir (coconut husk fiber and chips) mulch for their plants. I am fairly new to the west coast and have never used this before. I just put it in my shady garden and it looks great.
THE ORIGINAL MULCH BLOCK - Properties of Coir (http://www.originalmulchblock.com/propertiesofcoir.html)
Also, I read RIchard's recommendation for 4" of mulch. Does that go for potted plants as well?
Thanks!
Michael_Andrew
03-11-2009, 05:27 AM
I haven't used the mulch but I just got a brick as growing medium and I just love it so far. I planted up a new 72 cell tray of coleus and it has worked out great.
Michael
Ueberwinden
03-11-2009, 08:28 AM
Moonshiner,
I just potted 2 trays (72 per tray) of bananas in coir just 2 weeks ago. 75% + of my tropicals go into coir.
Michael
bencelest
03-11-2009, 10:43 AM
A friend of mine who is an administrator of a citrus forum is sold on Cocunut husk as a medium in all of his citrus plants. He indicated that it is the ideal medium for citrus as far as PH and well drained medium and longevity of use are concerned.
A lot of people followed his advice with great results. But you have to add fertilizer and micro nutrients to the medium in order for it to work.
I treat my bananas as I treat my citrus so there is no difference in maintenance regimen.
My only concern is the availability and price.
brettay
03-11-2009, 11:41 AM
I use a coconut husk chip mix (2 parts CHC, 2 parts regular potting soil, 1 part perlite) on all of my plants with the exception of those which are very sensitive to salts (e.g. Japanese Maples). It works great: drains well, is nice and chunky with lots of space for air in the medium.
It would probably make a great mulch, however as mentioned above, it is not cheap.
-Brett
bencelest
03-11-2009, 10:51 PM
There is a method to remove all the salts from the CHC but as of right now, I can't recall. I'd have to look it up.
buzzwinder
03-12-2009, 08:38 AM
Benny, is this the process you were thinking of?
Here's a link to the Citrus Growers Forum, dealing with the Cation Exchange in CHC,
Citrus Growers Forum :: View topic - Cation exchange (http://citrus.forumup.org/viewtopic.php?t=367&highlight=cation+exchange&mforum=citrus) Hope this is of some help!
bencelest
03-13-2009, 02:07 AM
Benny, is this the process you were thinking of?
Here's a link to the Citrus Growers Forum, dealing with the Cation Exchange in CHC,
Citrus Growers Forum :: View topic - Cation exchange (http://citrus.forumup.org/viewtopic.php?t=367&highlight=cation+exchange&mforum=citrus) Hope this is of some help!
Exactly. Thanks! Bill.
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