Getting to the Coir of the Matter

Gardeners for years have lined their hanging baskets with long-fiber coir. Learn how this material differs from peat.

Enlightenedgardenersmay be noticing something new in their potting media : a dark chocolate-brown , fibrous material that has the smell and find ofpeat . The material is coir ( pronounced “ heart ” ) dust . Like peat , it can be used as an organic part in pot media , or alone toamendgarden soil or propagate plants .

So why would you prefer one stuff over the other ? One reason may have to do with your definition of a renewable resource . Peat derive from decomposed plant stay that have accumulated in waterlogged soils for thousands of years , and some masses worry about lessen peat peat bog . Coir amount from a imagination that many people consider moresustainable : coconuts .

The difference between peat and coir does n’t end there . While peat tends to be acidic , coir leans toward a near - idealpH , depend on the source . Some people also retrieve that coir is easy to lick with than peat . Coir keep on more urine than peat , making it a wise selection for many containers and hang up field goal . But the potential drop for high storey of soluble salts to accumulate is great with coir - based than with peat - base soils . To eliminate any cause for concern , be sure to buy coir product from a reputable company .

Coir has been used for a decade in the United States by the commercial greenhouse industry and even longer by growers in the world ’s tropical , thenar - plenteous regions where it is produced , including Sri Lanka , Philippines , Mexico , and India .

gardener for years have lined their hanging baskets with long - fibre coir , and coir fibers are used to make common household items such as R-2 , doormat , and upholstery overeat . Coir fibre are bring forth when the coconut husk is ground . Coir dust is the by - product of this process . Some of you plausibly have used chunks of coir dust to groworchids , ferns , anthuriums , bromeliads , and other tropic plants .

Nutrient and pH differences

In substituting coir for peat — whether using it alone as a garden dirt amendment or in the potting mix you make — be alert to potential differences in results . Coir is deep in potassium ( K ) and the micronutrient Fe ( Fe ) , manganese ( Mn ) , zinc ( Zn ) , and Cu ( Cu ) . The in high spirits potassium content means that a gardener could use a fertilizer that ’s lower in potassium and still get ripe results . The other nutrients are a bonus — just like adding a vitamin contraceptive pill to our daily diets . Because the pH of coir ( 5.5 to 6.8 ) is more indifferent than that of peat ( 3.6 to 4.5 ) , some gardeners may find that coir does not process as well for battery-acid - loving plants , such asazaleasand blueberries .

Most gardener are conversant with the challenge of wetting teetotal peat ; coir is praised for being easier to rewet from a teetotal United States Department of State . Overall , coir is a tremendous amendment if you want to improve the water retention of yourhanging basketor container . Coir can absorb pee at a charge per unit of about seven times its dry weight . This is almost 30 percent more water than peat can obligate .

While coir may not interchange peat , it is nice to have a more easy renewable option . The positive qualities of this coconut by - product make it a natural fit in many garden diligence .

The dos and don’ts of using coir

Do*soak a compressed brick , block , or bale in water for at least 15 minutes before using.*verify the soaking container is freehanded enough;coir will expand five to seven times in volume . For a brick , which yields about 1/3 three-dimensional metrical foot of coir dust , a drywall bucket will do . For a Basel ( about 2 1/2 cubic feet ) , use a child ’s small swimming pool or an outdoor refuse can.*add coir to garden soilas an amendment , or use it as an constituent in potting mixes . Like peat , it can account for up to 40 percent of the potting mix .

Don’t*use brick that fail to ingest waterreadily and expand.*endeavor to slice a brick in half . Even a chain saw wo n’t reduce it.*toss out any unused coir . It retains its place and can be stored — covered — for several years .

hunky-dory Gardening advocate Products

Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft aimless Row Cover 0.9oz / yd²

Fine Gardening experience a military commission for items purchased through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .

Hasegawa Tripod Ladder

Fiskars Garden Tool Caddy with Removable Small Tool Storage for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening Use , Made with Recycled Plastic

Get our latest tips , how - to article , and instructional videos send to your inbox .

Signing you up …

What Is Biochar, and Is It Really Good for the Garden?

Getting Big Vegetable Production From a Small Space

Potting Soil Put to the Test

Choosing the Right Soilless Potting Mix

Join ok horticulture for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant diagnostician as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical manager …

When I spotted a particular Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I know I was in worry . With a delightful colouring pattern …

When we only prioritize plants we want over industrial plant our landscape painting needs , each season is fill with a never - end list of chore : pruning , twinge , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be measured when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …