corn husks or coconut husks as medium

[sunny]

i recently went to costa rica and saw wonderful plants growing in corn husks. i have been trying to find some but can't. i got coconut husks but they are ground real fine. i loosened them up with diatomite and perlite. do you think that will be a good medium. does anyone know where i can get corn husks (shredded)

carol

[jrhennek]

Never herd of corn husks used in orchids before, but why not.
In what type of orchids was this used in?

Jayme

[Sandy4453]

Never have seen or heard of using corn husks for orchids, very interesting.

Are you talking about coco. coir? I use the chips in a lot of different orchids and the husks to line some pots. I know a grower who uses mostly the coir to grow his Phals. and you should see his...amazing. I tried it and killed 2 Phals. within a couple of weeks. You definitely have to be precise in the watering as just once with over doing it, will cause them to meet the same fate mine did.

Good luck in finding the corn husks and let's hear back on what you plan to use it for.

[sunny]

it may have just lined the pots in some, but he took one i bought out of the pot to bare root it so i could bring it into the us and this one came out of husks. in answer to the other reply, there were cattleyas, specifically the skinneri, the national flower. they were just awesome. i have some pictures and may post them when i get them off the camera.

i have potted up some 2 year plants that were struggling. the potting medium i have dries out quickly and my conditions are not perfect. i have about 250 orchids of all kinds and only lose about 5 a year.
SO FAR ....carol

[sunny]

sorry, my answer wasn't clear. when i potted up the 2 year olds, i put them in the coconut husks. it's real fine and is labeled to hold more water than peat...that is why i added the dolomite and perlite for drainage. i am trying to keep them moist enough to last 7 days. i checked them last week, after they had been potted a week and they were almost dried out, but not totally. i think it might work. there are coconuts in costa rica, hawaii, thailand and miami and orchids thrive there so i am taking a shot at it.
i'll let you know how i do. it's pretty inexpensive. it's used to line beds in snake aquariums. yuck
carol

[Becky15349]

Corn husks may be a viable option for a potting material, if you don't have anything else available. I am afraid that the husk would break down so quickly that it may not be a good idea...just my two cents. Also, the texture of the corn husks you would use (how finely it is chopped) depends on the orchids you are growing...for catts, you would use a more coarse (larger pieces) because they like to dry out. For terrestrials/phals/other similar types, you could use a more finely chopped media because it should hold more water.

Coir (coconut) has been used successfully for many types of orchids, but one must be careful because it holds a LOT of water and does not dry out as quickly. Watering should be reduced when using this medium, and one should always insert a finger (or use a skewer) to check if the inner pot is stilll damp before watering.

I am unsure as to where to purchased either of these things, but Im sure others will pipe in if they haven't already!

[sunny]

thanks becky 15349. i live at the end of the earth in eastern nc and i have to have everything shipped. the closest orchid place is 3.5 hrs. so ordering diatomite and orchid mix can get heavy and expensive. your answer was very interesting and i will definitely take care with this.

carol

[frostedeyes]

NO NO NO NO NO never use coconut husk! it would get molds! its stinky and it will cause fungi and bacaterial growth!!! my orchid died when i tried using corn husk SO NO NO NO NO NO!

[phearamedusa]

I'm confused. I thought corn husks were the outer leafy things that get peeled off before you boil corn on the cob. When these dry they get kind of papery texture. Are you maybe using the inner portion, under the corn otherwise known as the cob? I'd guess it is possible to use this, as you can break/chop it in to varying sizes. I'd be worried about mold or other possible problems that could come from using it. How is it processed, or cleaned. Might have some benefits with regards to sugars contained in the corn kernels that may remain on the cob. It definitely is interesting concept, good luck.

[sunny]

thanks a lot for the last two responses. frosted eyes you have scared me enough to listen. i'll just use it in some of my plants on the deck.