Coconut Husk Fiber

[ruthann]

I just received a Neofinetia falcata in what appears to be coconut husk fiber (after looking at pictures of mediums). How ooften do I water with this fiber and what is an alternative planting medium? ruthann

[tuvoc]

I don't know much about coconut fiber, but mine are in sphagnum, and seem to be doing fairly well. Let's see what someone else has to say.

Kim

[isurus79]

I actually have mine mounted. It seems to be doing really well that way.

[ruthann]

Thanks for responses!

[Becca]

Hi! I have an Aerides houlletiana that sits in a clay pot with coconut husk fiber packed all around it. While I understand my Aerides is far from a Neo, I just thought I would let you know how I treat it. I water mine daily, some times every other day or just mist the roots in the coconut husk fiber really well. So it is like treating it as if it were mounted basically, but it sits in a pot! The roots really love it let me tell you, and I love the fact that I can always move the coconut husk fiber around and peek at the roots and see their progress if I wish too and it doesn't disturb anything. It does hold some droplets of water but nothing major. I have started using it in place of sphag moss when mounting an orchid. Sometimes the bed of sphag moss gets yucky being watered daily. I know it doesn't retain moisture for the roots on a mount like the sphag would, but I water my mounted 'chids daily anyways. I think you should give it a try with the Neo and let us know how it goes!

[ruthann]

Thanks for the tips, Becca! I'll let ya know how it is going. ruthann

[kiki-do]

I have one and it is in an open hanging basket (has slits all around it) and it has some bark husk around it, but the roots are just hanging out all over the place....free as a bird....and loving it. I water it every other day and mist every day. I am not in a warm climate or I would water daily. Basically it's being treated much like a vanda would be.

[ruthann]

Kiki, I freaked as the roots were so exposed, glad you responded, now I can relax... This is my first Neo and I have no idea how to raise it. Been researching internet for tips. Thanks, Ruthann

[gmdiaz]

My little Neofinetia that just arrived is in the coconut fiber as well. I have to totally agree with Becca. . .it's loving it and I also noticed that you can peak at the roots without disturbing them.

I've been heavily misting it once a day but am also keeping in my very humid, Exo Terra tank.

Becca, I think that's a great idea to use the coconut fibers as a padding for mounted orchids! I think I'll give that a try too.

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[Bolero]

Frequency of watering and other culture issues would depend on the environment the plant is growing in.

I use coconut for just about everything I own now and I highly recommend it. Although stunted growth on certain Paph types does occur.