Coir Instead of Peat Moss?

debij 9/14/2010, 2:37 pm

I was looking at using coir instead of peat moss for Mel's Mix (coir is renewable). Has anyone done this? If I do substitute, do I need to add additional nutrients? Any suggestions advisable.

acara 9/14/2010, 5:42 pm

I mulched the top of my SFG box with it last week, but haven't incorporated it into the mix.

LaFee 9/14/2010, 6:05 pm

Take a look at the peat...everything I found this year is sphagnum moss, which is renewable.

junequilt 9/14/2010, 6:19 pm

I have not used coir, but a friend experimented with it for seed starting this past spring. It was one of those domed kits, I forget which brand. She was less than enthused about the results. She also bought a different kit that featured a peat-based mixture, and that one did a lot better.

Retired Member 1 9/16/2010, 6:05 pm

There was a post about this last spring with an article that basically said coir was not as effective as spagnum moss, but of course, I can't find it now. Also, coir is much more expensive, at least around here.

acara 9/16/2010, 7:19 pm

So far ... not so impressed with coir.

I'd go so far as to say it's non-renewable ...... because once you've used it once, you'll never use it again ...and then it can't be renewed if you don't use it in the first place ...LOL

In all seriousness ...

Pro's: great moisture indicator when used as a top mulch, doesn't change pH when used as an additive in potting mixture

Con's: Doesn't stay put, hard to mix, floats worse than perlite & vermiculite when wet, when wet, adheres to everything ...especially vegetation, goes airborne in the slightest breeze (don't work with this stuff on a hot, dry day if you wear contacts), unless completely saturated with water, rivulettes/ravines/trenches with even the most gentle application of water.

And those are just the challenges I've had with the stuff this week.

Opinion so far ..... overpriced, dark brown sawdust

Chopper 9/16/2010, 8:08 pm

Done right, peat moss is renewable too and it is now done right. Don't sweat it.

acara 9/16/2010, 8:39 pm

If they made it smell like apples, or taste like bubble gum ...that might save it ...at least for me.

chocolatepop 9/17/2010, 1:12 am

i used coir as a seed starter....poopy

LaFee 9/17/2010, 4:24 am

Um...say what, chocolatepop?

ribarr4 9/17/2010, 9:45 pm

I've used coir for about a year now in my potting and seed starting mixes. It does fine, but it is a little more work to use. Most brands that I can afford needs to be washed before use. From what I understand when it is processed it is washed with sea or salt water so when you get it you need to wash it to get out the salt. Personally I go back and forth all the time.

Richard
http://www.green-cityzen.com/

chocolatepop 9/20/2010, 1:00 am

LaFee wrote:Um...say what, chocolatepop?

haahaa, i was less than happy about the results.

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