Question
In your suggestions you generally recommend that fir bark be included in the potting mix. A local grower (Australia) uses coconut husk chips exclusively in his production and growing.
I was contemplating getting some. What is your opinion of the two compared and what would you recommend me to use.
I am a relative beginner and have accumulated a fair amount of knowledge but have very limited experience.
Thank you in anticipation.

Answer
Hello Bill,

While I do recommend fir bark be used most of the time because it is more readily available but many orchid growers have been switching to coconut husk chips.  I've used it myself with very good results, the main problem and concern with it is that it can contain quite a bit of salt.  What I do with newly purchased chips is to soak the chips in a large tub of water overnight, drain then refill.  I do this five times.  I have two large plastic tubs, put the chips in one and fill it with water (occasionally mixing the chips by hand during the day), next day I scoop out the chips using a large plastic colander into the other tub and fill it with water, etc., etc.  There are some chips available that purport to have been pre-washed but I still soak those at least twice just to be on the safe side.  By the way, be careful where you dispose of the salty water as the salt can affect many plants in your yard.  

One of the advantages of coconut husk chips is that they last upwards of five plus years compared to 2 to 3 years for bark.  They also retain quite a bit of water while still allowing air to circulate through it.  It may take a while to figure out a new watering regimen due to its ability to retain more water than bark.  

Guess what I'm saying is to go ahead and use it but to wash it first.  

Oh yeah, I usually mix about 10% by volume of large size perlite or sponge rock before potting.  There are some growers that mix other materials but I like to keep things simple.  Coconut husk chips have been in use here for over 10 years and continuing to gain popularity. By the way, there are several sizes of chips available along with it being ground up and called coir.  

Hope this helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.