The Orchid Garden

Orchids in Coco Husks

Question:

I recently purchased some coconut husks to use for planting medium for orchids.  This is the first time I have attempted to make my own planting medium and I need some advice on what other ingredients I should use.  I am fairly new to growing orchids so any tips on caring for orchids would also be appreciated.  Thanks

Response:

Hello pjackson96,      I’ve never tried coconut husks for potting any of my orchids but have read several articles in the American Orihid Society Orchids magazine about it with interest.   As for what is available as material that you can mix with it, there also have been several articles in Orchids magazine about the various types of material people have used in preparing their orchid potting medium.      Being that you are fairly new to orchid growing, you may not belong to the AOS and so do not have the magazine.   Do you know anyone who has belonged to it over 2 years?   If so, you might ask if you can browse though their copies of Orchids for those articles.   If you don’t know any AOS members, is there an orchid society near you that you can visit to see if they have copies of Orchids that you may be able to search and read for those articles?   If there is a local OS, you might also consider joining it since there are many benefits to becoming a member such as access to the club book library, hearing speakers on orchid topics, talking with members about their experiences growing orchids, etc.      You don’t mention the types of orchids you have in your collection so it would be impossible to offer any tips at this time.   If you are interested, below are a couple of websites you might go to find orchid culture sheets and tips.   American Orchid Society:   http://orchidweb.org   Venger’s Orchids:   http://www.vengers.com      Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.  Good luck and good growing.  

Response:

Hi, The fact that coconut husk retains water well is an interesting note. How do you compare its water retention qualities as compared to osmunda? I purchased some coconut husk but just have not used it yet, I am curious about it though. Thanks, AL When it comes to Fisher, NOBODY does it better! Don’t forget to visit our web site at http://members.xoom.com/thefishers/fisherdoc.html AL Pugliese, "The Fisher Doctor" +President Fisher Radio Corporation 27 Daleham Street Staten Island NY 10308

Response:

Coconu husk can be an excellent growing medium for orchids and there are number of larger growers in CA and HI are using it. First soak your husk in water for o/n and rinse it many times to get rid of excess salts and brown color liquor. Normally husk is supplied pre-washed and you dot necessarily wash it. However as a precaution it is always better to do it by yourself. Coconut husk vs regular bark Coconut husk lasts longer (4-5 years) Coconut husk is like a sponge, it retains moisture for long time in addition air. Since it retains moisture you do not need to water often Unlike bark coconut husk retain nutrients also. So you cut down the fertilizer to half of the recommeded dose Depending upon the crop you grow you mix husk with pomice or lavarock etc. This will help more drainage and aeration etc. Goodluck

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I recently purchased some coconut husks to use for planting medium for orchids.  This is the first time I have attempted to make my own planting medium and I need some advice on what other ingredients I should use.  I am fairly new to growing orchids so any tips on caring for orchids would also be appreciated.  Thanks

Response:

Filed under: Growing Orchids

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