Coconut water (milk)

[Undergrounder]

More importantly it's good for initiating certain stages of growth in orchids.. For instance in order to initiate the production of protocorm-like-bodies in vitro, you need to use coconut water. It has certain cytokinin-like hormones (Zeatin and zeatin riboside) that are extremely powerful hormones for initiating new growths and new plant growth (as in keikis). In fact keiki paste has similar chemicals in it to coconut endosperm.

In addition to the above list of inorganic minerals, it has a lengthy shopping list of amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, plant hormones and sugars in trace, but significant levels.

[Serge]

Undergrounder, Thank you

Very useful information.

If i start using coconut water on a regular base,should i use a fertilizer whit less potassium. 6.6% is a lot.

Thank you

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Undergrounder

More importantly it's good for initiating certain stages of growth in orchids. For instance in order to initiate the production of protocorm-like-bodies in vitro, you need to use coconut water.

It's probably worth noting that, while it is often used in sowing media, it's usually left out of replate media and for many orchid species, replating into a media containing coconut water can stunt growth. I have no idea as to whether this would translate to an noticeable affect on orchids out of flask (I suspect probably not).