Question
What is the difference between coconut husk, coir, and fiber? Can all of them be used for Nepenthes? Because I have coconut coir and fiber that I might be able to use for my Nepenthes Miranda.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Fishboy,

Coir and coconut fiber are the same thing.  It's ground up coconut husk used as a substitute for peat moss.  Coconut husk is usually cubed coconut husk chunks.

We've used coir in the past for both Nepenthes and Sarracenia.  We stopped because we weren't getting good results.  Coir can contain salt sometimes depending upon where the coconuts were grown.  It tends to break down faster than peat also.  Most cp growers have stopped using it.

We do still use coconut husk chips in our Nepenthes mix, however.  We mix it with long-fiber sphagnum and perlite.  The chunks don't seem to have the rapid decomposition problem the ground material has.  This mix gives us a water-holding, but light, fast draining mix.  Nepenthes will grow well in a variety of mixes provided it is low-nutrient, drains well, and holds moisture.


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com