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#1
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Washing Coconut Husk Chips
At our recent orchid festival in Pittsburgh, the topic of removing salt (NaCl) from coconut husk chips (CHC) was discussed. Most people soak and rinse the material with regular water or RO/rain water at least 3 or 4 times and check the conductivity of the rinse. However, there apparently is a study out the indicates that this is not enough for removing all the salt and that salt can continue to slowly leach out over time and cause problems (particularly when the medium is allowed to dry and is then rewet). I do not have the study or the names of the people who did it, but their results supposedly indicated that the CHC must first be soaked in a large excess of calcium nitrate ( 1 cup for a 5-10 gal soak tank), then rinsed and then soaked again with a lesser quantity of magnesium sulfate(Epsom salt, half cup same tank size) followed by rinsing. The study apparently analyzed the medium and the sodium uptake of plants by tissue analysis. Anyone know more about this? I personally have had some trouble growing phrags in a coconut husk medium (charcoal etc added) with standard washings. Thanks Charles VanDyke |
#2
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Check out the people at Antec Labs at http://ladyslipper.com/coco3.htm I
think this is the article you are looking for. Gary "charles VanDyke" wrote in message ... At our recent orchid festival in Pittsburgh, the topic of removing salt (NaCl) from coconut husk chips (CHC) was discussed. Most people soak and rinse the material with regular water or RO/rain water at least 3 or 4 times and check the conductivity of the rinse. However, there apparently is a study out the indicates that this is not enough for removing all the salt and that salt can continue to slowly leach out over time and cause problems (particularly when the medium is allowed to dry and is then rewet). I do not have the study or the names of the people who did it, but their results supposedly indicated that the CHC must first be soaked in a large excess of calcium nitrate ( 1 cup for a 5-10 gal soak tank), then rinsed and then soaked again with a lesser quantity of magnesium sulfate(Epsom salt, half cup same tank size) followed by rinsing. The study apparently analyzed the medium and the sodium uptake of plants by tissue analysis. Anyone know more about this? I personally have had some trouble growing phrags in a coconut husk medium (charcoal etc added) with standard washings. Thanks Charles VanDyke |
#3
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On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 14:43:00 -0400, "V_coerulea"
wrote: Check out the people at Antec Labs at http://ladyslipper.com/coco3.htm I think this is the article you are looking for. Gary Ray (www.firstray.com) carries the calcium nitrate they suggest using to assist in flushing salt from the CHC. deg |
#4
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Charles,
I have used coconut husk cubes for a couple of years especially on Neofinetia falcata... what I have found is that these coconut husk products are loaded with hidden fern seeds. I have ferns growing out the ying yang now in the pots on my benches. Mick =========================== "charles VanDyke" wrote in message ... At our recent orchid festival in Pittsburgh, the topic of removing salt (NaCl) from coconut husk chips (CHC) was discussed. Most people soak and rinse the material with regular water or RO/rain water at least 3 or 4 times and check the conductivity of the rinse. However, there apparently is a study out the indicates that this is not enough for removing all the salt and that salt can continue to slowly leach out over time and cause problems (particularly when the medium is allowed to dry and is then rewet). I do not have the study or the names of the people who did it, but their results supposedly indicated that the CHC must first be soaked in a large excess of calcium nitrate ( 1 cup for a 5-10 gal soak tank), then rinsed and then soaked again with a lesser quantity of magnesium sulfate(Epsom salt, half cup same tank size) followed by rinsing. The study apparently analyzed the medium and the sodium uptake of plants by tissue analysis. Anyone know more about this? I personally have had some trouble growing phrags in a coconut husk medium (charcoal etc added) with standard washings. Thanks Charles VanDyke |
#5
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I get my coconut chips from Crystal Company in Fenton MO where the owner says they are prewashed and salt free. I've used 2 bales so far without any problmes. Grow well and bloom magnificently dusty |
#6
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On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 13:29:16 GMT, dusty wrote:
I get my coconut chips from Crystal Company in Fenton MO where the owner says they are prewashed and salt free. I've used 2 bales so far without any problmes. Grow well and bloom magnificently dusty Well, I use Crystal Co. CHC also and believe it does need to be rinsed. Using at TDS meter, it's clear that even Crystal CHC has a fairly high salt level when you receive it. deg |
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