This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

[INDOOR-GARDENING:44] FROM TOM MILLER Re: Coir???

NOTE from Listmom - his initial post was rejected because he was posting
from a different address.

-----------------

On 1/20/99 7:49 AM Caron Ann Rifici (caron@pcisys.net) said:

>What is coir?????
>
>Thanks, Caron

excerpted from a message to a different mail list sent by George Yao, 
gcyao@netasia.net

>
Now, I would like to help clear up some confusion re coco coir based on
what I know of how it is made here in the Philippines.

Coco coir is technically the fibers found in the husk of a coconut. These
fibers are bonded together by a spongy pith and enveloped in a thin but
tough outer skin. The husk surrounds a thick hard shell, within which is
the white meat from which coconut oil is extracted. Within the meat is the
clear liquid which we call coco water but which I believe you call coco
milk. (As an aside, the extract of grated coconut meat mixed with water is
what we call coco milk but which you call coco cream. Really confusing,
yes? :-) Well, be prepared for more confusion! ;-))

Anyway, what is often referred to as coco coir used in horticulture is not
just the coir (the fiber, which is non-absorbent) but includes also the
pith (the spongy absorbent part) and bits of the outer skin. The fiber is
semi-stiff and is the part that imparts structure.

The coconut is dehusked by the farmer and the shell is split in half and
dried (with the meat still inside). The coco oil companies buy the dried
meat (still attached to the shell) and the coco coir companies buy the 
husks.

The husks are shredded and dried and sifted to separate the longer fibers
which are segregated by length for different applications requiring
different fiber lengths. These are the true coco coir. Some products made
from these are rope, floor mat, carpet backing, insulation, and hanging
basket liner for houseplants.

The remaining material is what we call coco coir dust, which is what I
believe you refer to (erroneously?) as coco coir and which is actually a
byproduct and was once just thrown away as waste. Some of this is
compressed into bricks for ease in handling, especially for long distance
transport.

Somewhere along the process, fungicide is applied to prevent the growth of
molds and mildews. This may account for the sometimes observed and 
reported
fungicidal property.

I am growing my propagated Hibiscus (and many of my other plants) in a mix
of coco coir dust and sand with good results so far. But, I am a newbie 
and
don't know yet if I'll encounter any problem.

BTW, many gardeners here use shredded coconut husks that include the shell
(and with long fibers left in) and find it satisfactory as an epiphytic
medium for growing orchids and bromeliads among others.

I hope I have helped.

George
Metro-Manila, Philippines

Tom Miller
...........................................................................
..................................
If you like tropical plants like hibiscus, please see:
<http://www.trop-hibiscus.com>
...........................................................................
...................................
"Nobody likes the bringer of bad news. Sophocles
...........................................................................
.................................



F.
-ERR POP timeout
+OK Pop server at bluestem signing off.
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index