THANK YOU.

If acidity was a goal then coir won't fit the bill as it isn't acidic. Pine bark in very small/partially composted pieces would fit the bill. In some areas this is easy to find and inexpensive, in other areas it's hard to find and/or pricey.

Using coir as the primary component of soils virtually eliminates lime or dolomitic lime as a Ca source because of coir's high pH (6+). Gypsum should be used as a Ca source, which eliminates coir's low S content. All coir products are very high in K, very low in Ca, and have a potentially high Mn content, which can interfere with the uptake of Fe.

I haven't tested coir very extensively, but I have done some testing of CHCs (coconut husk chips) with some loose controls in place. After very thoroughly leaching and rinsing the chips, I made a 5:1:1 soil of pine bark:peat:perlite (which I know to be very productive) and a 5:1:1 mix of CHCs:peat:perlite. I planted 6 cuttings of snapdragon and 6 cuttings of Coleus (each from the same plant to help reduce genetic influences) in containers (same size/shape) of the different soils. I added dolomitic lime to the bark soil and gypsum to the CHC soil. After the cuttings struck, I eliminated all but the three strongest in each of the 4 containers. I watered each container with a weak solution of MG 12-4-8 with STEM added at each watering, and watered on an 'as needed basis', not on a schedule. The only difference in the fertilizer regimen was the fact that I included a small amount of MgSO4 (Epsom salts) to provide MG (the dolomitic lime in the bark soil contained the MG, while the gypsum (CaSO4) in the CHC soil did not. This difference was necessary because or the high pH of CHCs and coir.) for the CHC soil.

The results were startling. In both cases, the cuttings grown in the CHC's exhibited only about 1/2 the biomass at summers end as the plants in the bark mix.

I just find it very difficult for a solid case to be made (besides "It works for me") for the use of coir or CHC's. They're more expensive and more difficult to use effectively. The fact that some believe peat is in short supply (no where near true, btw) is easily offset by the effect of the carbon footprint of coir in its trek to the US from Sri Lanka or other exotic locales.

That's the view from here. YMMV

Al

which is my experience.

Al

But to make a recommendation on a mix, I would need to know what is the intended purpose of the soil, containers, raised beds, lawns, garden?

One of the soils I use is in the middle of the pic - various bark products @ perimeter:

Al

Lime homemade bark or peat-based media with dolomitic (garden) lime @ 1/3-1/2 cup/cu ft.

Al

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR INPUT.

corgicorner

Many members of GW opt out of including their personal email address for various reasons but it does not slow down the interchange of information, advice or opinions when responses are directed through the forums rather than personally or individually. Besides, it gives everyone the opportunity to share through the exchange of information.

These are just a few instances where I have used member email links from GW.

Karen

btw, I've linked to DG numerous times and so have many other posters. I've never seen anything in the GW Terms of Service or policy statements that prohibit that or any other links, aside from those that are self-promoting or advertising in nature.

Try it. It won't even let me copy/paste the message.

Karen

The answer: coir (aka coconut husks)

For my purposes, coir has never been able to stand next to peat in (container) soils , so I avoid it. YMMV.

Al

Lloyd