Coconut coir instead of peatmoss?

Farmer Don 5/1/2012, 3:26 pm

Can coconut coir be used instead of peat moss as 1/3 of Mel's mix? Coir is a more neutral pH and is easily renewable.

**sfg4uKim** 5/1/2012, 3:36 pm

Hi FD!

If you type in Coir in the Google Search area (upper left) and make sure the Search SFG Forum is checked, you will see a LOT of info on this topic. Smile

westx 5/1/2012, 7:57 pm

FD

I use a Mels Mix made by a company here in Texas that is made with Coir. It works just fine.

QuestionAndPlanter 10/3/2012, 1:54 pm

I was FASCINATED to just read on Mel's blog that peat and peat moss are related, but critically different. Peat is a non-renewable resource, peat moss IS renewable. And guess what Mel's Mix uses? Peat moss! I'm so thrilled about this! BIG news! How many people know this?

Nonna.PapaVino 10/3/2012, 2:32 pm

westx, I've used both peat moss and coir this year...in two different beds...and didn't see any difference in plant growth: beans, peas, kales. Next year I'll use whatever is most cost effective. Nonna

**rowena___.** 10/3/2012, 3:03 pm

no choice we make in any part of our lives is truly without impact. my concerns about peat moss/sphagnum are about the environmental impact of harvesting it. while peat moss is technically "renewable", extraction of the moss destroys a natural bog habitat that takes 10,000 years to form, including the habitat that supports the moss. many botanic gardens around the world strongly discourage the use of peat and peat moss specifically for these reasons. i myself am torn about it, because there are companies in the developed world that are working on ways in which to solve these problems and i wish to support them, and yet i have serious concerns that at this time have not yet been solved.

plantoid 10/3/2012, 4:40 pm

Farmer Don wrote:Can coconut coir be used instead of peat moss as 1/3 of Mel's mix? Coir is a more neutral pH and is easily renewable.

Yes.... in my book it's as good peat moss as by way of being almost the same PH , water absorbent and decayed past the nitrogen robbing stage . It is basically the bit that helps contain the plant skeleton , some moisture and provides drainage & oxygen paths to the plant roots . For me it is also a heck of a lot cheaper than peat.

**camprn** 10/3/2012, 4:42 pm

Actually here in North America it is sphagnum moss, but frequently referred to as peat moss.

plantoid 10/3/2012, 5:27 pm

UK wise we have sedge peat bogs in the Scottish Highlands and I think the fens of east anglia which does take yonks to rebuild
But we do also have spagnum moss peat bogs as well , I think these are mainly in Cumbria and Ireland ( N & S )

Sedges are bog grasses with soild stems where as spagmum is a bog moss

I think the word peat just refers to the fact that it has died .part decayed & become preserved in an anerobic condition so it still fiberous & hard instead of dropping away to soft fibres like the aerobic decay changes plant fibres .

Once exposed to air , water , bacteria & nutrients most peats fully decay in about 10 to15 years

southern gardener 10/3/2012, 7:32 pm

I'll try and answer the question of peat vs. coir. We bought the Pre Made Mel's Mix, and for some reason, they use the coir instead of the peat. It seems "stringier" than the peat, which I think actually helped to keep our corn from tipping over?? I think the roots were able to "hang on to it" a little better if that makes sense. This is not a scientific answer, only my opinion. It does hold water well, but it's kind of more grainy than the peat and not as "soft". So, I guess the answer is "yes" for us.

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Coconut coir instead of peatmoss?

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Peat and Peat Moss are different!?

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