Is coconut bark good for orchids to grow in?

[Zany_Chimp]

I have some coconut bark reptile bedding that I am looking for a use for. It killed my snake when he ate it , so I don't want to use it with reptiles any more. I have also heard that peat moss isn't good for orchids long-term, and I have seen them kept in cedar wood. Can I use coconut bark for my orchid?

[flhiker]

Yes you can use any part of the coconut. I have many Dens. that are potted with coconut chunks. If you are using a new coconut that was not bought for growing orchids I would soak it in clear water several times to remove the salts built up in the husk

ps Welcome to the Board.

[Ross]

I add my welcome as well. Coco products may have to be washed before using for either orchids or vivarium occupants. That may have been your problem. Coconuts in nature soak up and distill the salt from ground water. This appears in the fibers. Usually several washes with clear water will do the trick.

[Tropic]

I would like to add that when soaking the coconut husk chips or fibers, do so within warm or even hot water and use rain water if possible. My husk I soak in a big basin outdoors in the full sun and leave it there for a full day before changing the water. I do this for three rainwater changes with regular stirring to make sure all material is properly soaked and water movement forced between the particles to dissolve the stubborn hardened crystals of various salts. Then I leave it to dry out completely in the sun before packing it in plastic bags. Works very well for a variety of orchids and worth the effort to make it an acceptable growing medium for some plants.

[AndreaM]

Dear Zany_Chimp,
One thing I would recommend and this is something that was taught to me by an orchid expert is to compact the coconut very tightly in the pot when you transplant. Use your thumbs to really pack the coconut chips in the pot with the orchid so the orchid has something to hang on to...
Hope this helps.
Andrea

[thakshila smith]

Coco nut bark of coconut husk coir chips .
We use coconut bark as fire wood .Coconut husks to grow orchids. Coconut husk as a whole thing to plant
chids. ...I think the roots can penetrate through husks well.

[taipan]

Coconut chips are a good potting mix, however they do absorb more water than bark & you may need to watch the amount of water you use. Also it has a tendency to break down a lot quicker thus your plants may need to be repotted more often