I received this Tree-Mail from Greene. She received the link from a friend, "Plant Sister".

"My friend and I were discussing coconut husk; she sent me an interesting link. I learned a lot about the different mediums available, but as the article talks about orchids I thought I would pass this on to you. I realize you may have already seen this, but it is supposed to be a newer version of the article. Thanks.

http://ladyslipper.com/coco3.h...

I wonder how many people think that peat moss is the same as milled sphagnum (peat) moss? I wonder how many think that coir is the same as coconut fiber chunks (also labeled as chopped coconut fiber.

The problem is that peat moss did originally begin as sphagnum moss and coir did begin as coconut fiber. But the terms are not interchangeable and the characteristics are different. Thus their usage in potting soils and orchid media produces a different end-result.

Very interesting article, Ken. I may have to do some experimenting.

I think I will see if ATP is interested in my doing one of those opening-page "Ideas" on coconut and then on peat. Coconut fiber is pretty much straight-forward but peat has a lot of interesting twists and turns.