Great video Ed. I'm watching this as I'm soaking some husk getting ready for some repots tomorrow. I hear good things, and can't way to try this! You did a great job sharing the pros and cons and I can't wait to try on some of my summer blooming phals
It's a time consuming job Nicole making sure you have gotten rid of all the salts from the husks.....but you will surely reap the benefits of the cleanliness. take care and thank you for your comment, Ed.
I am just way too lazy to soak them that many times and use them... I get what Roger and you are saying good thing about husks.... maybe when and if I have more time to take care of them. At least I know now of how to properly using them. Thank you for sharing. And as far as your order, hope you get your order in time... I am a mailman and my office is officially ranked number one in my state (Washington state) for overtime usage per person... it is I am sure pretty crazy everywhere else. I am working 16 hours per day 7 days for the last 3-4 weeks and still cannot catch up. 💀 I had to take sick leave today to take rest. Trying to catch up on videos I couldn’t watch for the last couple weeks! Please stay safe. Yoshi.
16 hours per day 24/7 reminds me of the business I owned until 2003......non stop production. I hope you are feeling better after your well earned rest. Ed.
Hello and good morning from my Country....Eds Orchid. I love those Cyimbidium Orchids....it's so pretty....Sir!! I have plenty of Coconuts Trees in my yard....i love Coconut's Juice so much.... Thank you for sharing your great work. Good wishes to you and yours...
I'm with you on the coconut juice Zaleha it's delicious. Thanks for your very nice comments, I do appreciate them and may I send good wishes from the UK to North Borneo, Ed
Thank you for that bit of information Ed. I was planning on ordering some bark, but now I am thinking of husk. Most of.my stuff is mounted, but the ones that need that little bit of moisture constantly, I think husk would work well.
Hi Terry and thank you for the comment. This lockdown isn't doing me any good...no exercise .....no sport....just dealing with the orchids, doing the housework and watching the box!!!!....Roll on freedom!!..take care, Ed.
Hello Ed! Beautiful blooms at the beginning. Hope your order arrives safely for you. I’ve never used it just because I’ve been too lazy to order it from online. Happy growing Ed 💜
I hope that when the plants arrive they will take to the new medium, although I'll give them a few days to get used to my conditions, Thank you Fernanda and take good care, Ed.
I don't think it will stay too wet Mick. I have a Cattleya that was very slow at putting up new growth...I put it into some husks and it now has a very nice new growth, The only trouble I have found is that doing a bucket full of the stuff will only do about 10 6mmpots unless I add some charcoal and perlite. Ed
IME, it really isn't necessary to soak the husks in R/O, provided your tap is below 200 PPM and isn't softened. Usually the main contaminant in tap water is calcium bicarbonate which is, generally speaking, inert. Some of that will be absorbed by the husk but, the amount is so low, I don't find it worth worrying about. As you feed and flush, it is going to wash out anyway. Hope your plants manage to arrive safe and sound.
Thanks Michael. Whilst I have RO water conveniently to hand I will keep using it. Tap water contains loads of stuff to make it safe for humans to drink so I'll stick to the RO. Take care and once again thank you. Ed.
Mine takes an extra soak as the first few are using my 'filter-jug' water which is around TDS 170. But it comes down quicker now I'm using a bucket (larger volume of water). I'm using this as a substitute for the sphagnum moss that seems to go off far too soon.
Hi Roger. You're right the larger the amount of water the lower you can get the tds. I don't know what filter jug water is but I hope it's not what is used for softening water. Take care Ed.
So do I Nina I will find it virtually impossible to order from Europe next year. None of the European dealers will come to the International Shows ( in fact they've already been cancelled and I think never to return. If the dealers did come over then the plants which they haven't sold they will be banned from taking them back. Crazy I know but that;s Defra and cites for you!!!! Ed.
Sorry about this but now I have another question! That RO water the show three parts per million and the other one even less parts per million after you drain the Coco chunks can you reuse that water for your orchids since it's almost non-existent parts per million?
I don't re-use the water Kathleen even though the tds is perfect because the water is full of the small fining particles from the coconut husks which, if there are too many could build up against the other media and make a few soggy places in the substrate. Ed
Hello Ed- I just started using coconut husk in some Phalenopsis. The company I bought it from claims it is "ready to use right out of the bag" ( I had no idea about soaking it like you are doing. Is it to remove salts from them?) Anyway - I hope my Phalaenopsis will do better in it. Thank you so much for this video! I learn something useful from all your videos.
Hi Sally. It all depends on where the husks were collected from......if collected from near the shore then it will absorb much salt.....less salt if collected away from the shore. I would always soak coco husks you cannot guarantee that what the suppliers are saying is correct. If they said soak before use to get rid of the salt content they wouldn't sell as much. Anyhow I hope that your phalaenopsis grows in the husks to your liking. Many thanks for your comment and take care, Ed.
My apologies for the delay in replying to you . I haven't tried the thing that you mention I'll look it up on the web...but I very much doubt if it is available here in the UK. Thank you for your comment and take care, Ed.
@@EdsOrchids thank you it is the same as I have got hold off, just needed to check. I am using up a supply that originally came from Peter White some years ago which has stored beautifully.
That's a good question Kathleen but how would I be able to tell that I had removed the salt content of the husks? It couldn't give me a good tds reading. Thank you Kath and take care. Ed.
As I watch videos I have like a zillion questions that pop up in my mind. One question that I have and it's not even 2 minutes into the video is if you soap bark what would the parts per million reading be? Second question what I've read about Coco coir versus peat moss is peat moss has some nutrient value for a plant versus Coco coir which doesn't have any nutrient value. I was wondering what that would be versus bark is there any nutrient value in bark. Now the third question is because this Coco fiber is more absorbent than bark will it tend to absorb more excess fertilizer... So maybe more Epsom salt flushes will be needed? I'm by the way I did look up voice to text for computers and if you have Windows 10 on your computer it's there on your windows program. If you have a laptop it should be able to be accessed on your keyboard. And it's definitely on your smartphone keyboard but might be hiding behind the little :-) on the cell phone keyboard. If you press down on the :-) icon on the cell phone keyboard a menu will pop up that lets you choose the microphone. Love your videos
To begin with Kathleen everything to do with the 'talking words' is far too complicated for someone of my age.!!!! Question 1) It will all depend on what type of bark you soak to get a tds reading. The orchiata is supposed to be impregnated with calcium so that would give you a much higher reading. 2) Coir and peat moss are too small a product, in my mind, to have any beneficial effect on orchids. By being small they will compact when wet and will therefore cut off the supply of oxygen to the plants. 3) Yes it will absorb more because of its make up. Most orchids are epiphytes so require a medium that doesn't retain too much water and will dry fairly quickly. Epsom salt flushes for free flowing mediums is ideal but I would be careful about doing it too often with a compact medium. I do enjoy your questions Kathleen......Thank you and take care. Ed.
@@EdsOrchids I'm glad to hear my questions don't bug you teehee! I would never use peat moss for my orchids I was just talking in general people who are growing houseplants because that seems to be the big rage right now who can own the most expensive plan or something like that some of these plants are selling for hundreds of dollars it's ridiculous... But they're on their high horse now about we shouldn't use peat moss because it's non-renewable and used Coco coir but that has its down side two especially when I read people are almost hired at slave labor to clean it and pack it and it uses a lot of water to flush it clean of salt before it even gets to us in the market. I think it's funny they told told us we were going to run out of oil back in the 70s and 80s and the world was going to have another Ice Age and we have to spray the snow with coal dust so it would absorb heat and melt otherwise it would get a glaze on it from melting slightly and reflect all the sunlight back into the atmosphere Mother Nature knows how to take care of things. That's why we have all these green plants to use up the extra CO2.
It all depends if the husk has been collected from inland trees or trees from the coastal areas which will be carrying lots of salt. I would take the all steps to make the huskd free from salts and clean. thanks for the comment and take care, Ed.
At last I've got my computer back......sorry for the delay in replying to your comment. The husks are being soaked several times to remove the salt contents of the husks. The dissolved solids had such a high reading of almost 800tds after several soaks in fresh water the tds was reduced to less than 10 total dissolved solids which makes it very usable for using as a very good orchid media.......thank you and take care, Ed.
Great video Ed. I'm watching this as I'm soaking some husk getting ready for some repots tomorrow. I hear good things, and can't way to try this! You did a great job sharing the pros and cons and I can't wait to try on some of my summer blooming phals
It's a time consuming job Nicole making sure you have gotten rid of all the salts from the husks.....but you will surely reap the benefits of the cleanliness. take care and thank you for your comment,
Ed.
I am just way too lazy to soak them that many times and use them... I get what Roger and you are saying good thing about husks.... maybe when and if I have more time to take care of them. At least I know now of how to properly using them. Thank you for sharing. And as far as your order, hope you get your order in time... I am a mailman and my office is officially ranked number one in my state (Washington state) for overtime usage per person... it is I am sure pretty crazy everywhere else. I am working 16 hours per day 7 days for the last 3-4 weeks and still cannot catch up. 💀 I had to take sick leave today to take rest. Trying to catch up on videos I couldn’t watch for the last couple weeks! Please stay safe. Yoshi.
16 hours per day 24/7 reminds me of the business I owned until 2003......non stop production.
I hope you are feeling better after your well earned rest.
Ed.
Hello and good morning from my Country....Eds Orchid. I love those Cyimbidium Orchids....it's so pretty....Sir!!
I have plenty of Coconuts Trees in my yard....i love Coconut's Juice so much....
Thank you for sharing your great work. Good wishes to you and yours...
I'm with you on the coconut juice Zaleha it's delicious. Thanks for your very nice comments, I do appreciate them and may I send good wishes from the UK to North Borneo,
Ed
Thank you for that bit of information Ed. I was planning on ordering some bark, but now I am thinking of husk. Most of.my stuff is mounted, but the ones that need that little bit of moisture constantly, I think husk would work well.
Everything is worth a try Valarie.....hope it will work well for you.
Ed.
Very interesting, thanks Ed!
My pleasure Susan......take care and try and enjoy all the festivities.....if there are any!!!!!
Ed.
Thanks this was super helpful
My pleasure Richard......thank you,
Ed.
Wow! The tds really went down! Hope you're having a great week!!
Hi Terry and thank you for the comment. This lockdown isn't doing me any good...no exercise .....no sport....just dealing with the orchids, doing the housework and watching the box!!!!....Roll on freedom!!..take care,
Ed.
Hello Ed! Beautiful blooms at the beginning.
Hope your order arrives safely for you. I’ve never used it just because I’ve been too lazy to order it from online. Happy growing Ed 💜
I'm led to believe that the plants will be with me tomorrow......providing DHL get their finger out !!
Hope all is well with you and take care.
Ed.
Good news on the coconut husks. Hope you get your order soon and all is well.
Thank you Sue...I'm ready and waiting for them. Take care.
Ed.
I'm waiting for one order from Holland. It's cold in Slovenia, we're afraid of losing orchids.
Good luck, Ed. 🤔🙋♀️😉
I'll keep my fingers crossed that your plants will arrive safely Irina. Stay safe and have a very lovely weekend.
Ed
It takes a lot of work to get it ready to use but it looks good. Hope your plants arrive safely. Nice Cymbidium at the begining 😄❤️
I hope that when the plants arrive they will take to the new medium, although I'll give them a few days to get used to my conditions, Thank you Fernanda and take good care,
Ed.
Golly, great opening, 😊...
Thank you Gloria stay safe and have a lovely weekend.
Ed.
Sounds good Ed only time will tell if it does or doesn’t stay to wet. Hope you’re orchids arrive shortly buddy.
I don't think it will stay too wet Mick. I have a Cattleya that was very slow at putting up new growth...I put it into some husks and it now has a very nice new growth, The only trouble I have found is that doing a bucket full of the stuff will only do about 10 6mmpots unless I add some charcoal and perlite.
Ed
@@EdsOrchids it’s a pity it’s not supplied in larger bags and already cleaned would make life a little easier.
IME, it really isn't necessary to soak the husks in R/O, provided your tap is below 200 PPM and isn't softened. Usually the main contaminant in tap water is calcium bicarbonate which is, generally speaking, inert. Some of that will be absorbed by the husk but, the amount is so low, I don't find it worth worrying about. As you feed and flush, it is going to wash out anyway.
Hope your plants manage to arrive safe and sound.
Thanks Michael. Whilst I have RO water conveniently to hand I will keep using it. Tap water contains loads of stuff to make it safe for humans to drink so I'll stick to the RO. Take care and once again thank you.
Ed.
Mine takes an extra soak as the first few are using my 'filter-jug' water which is around TDS 170. But it comes down quicker now I'm using a bucket (larger volume of water). I'm using this as a substitute for the sphagnum moss that seems to go off far too soon.
Hi Roger. You're right the larger the amount of water the lower you can get the tds. I don't know what filter jug water is but I hope it's not what is used for softening water. Take care
Ed.
I hope you get your order and all is in tact 🙏
So do I Nina I will find it virtually impossible to order from Europe next year. None of the European dealers will come to the International Shows ( in fact they've already been cancelled and I think never to return. If the dealers did come over then the plants which they haven't sold they will be banned from taking them back. Crazy I know but that;s Defra and cites for you!!!!
Ed.
@@EdsOrchids all of it is just such a shame... I am struggling with the thought of not being able to send divisions to the UK 😑
Sorry about this but now I have another question! That RO water the show three parts per million and the other one even less parts per million after you drain the Coco chunks can you reuse that water for your orchids since it's almost non-existent parts per million?
I don't re-use the water Kathleen even though the tds is perfect because the water is full of the small fining particles from the coconut husks which, if there are too many could build up against the other media and make a few soggy places in the substrate.
Ed
Hello Ed- I just started using coconut husk in some Phalenopsis. The company I bought it from claims it is "ready to use right out of the bag" ( I had no idea about soaking it like you are doing. Is it to remove salts from them?) Anyway - I hope my Phalaenopsis will do better in it. Thank you so much for this video! I learn something useful from all your videos.
Hi Sally. It all depends on where the husks were collected from......if collected from near the shore then it will absorb much salt.....less salt if collected away from the shore. I would always soak coco husks you cannot guarantee that what the suppliers are saying is correct. If they said soak before use to get rid of the salt content they wouldn't sell as much. Anyhow I hope that your phalaenopsis grows in the husks to your liking. Many thanks for your comment and take care,
Ed.
Have you tried an enzyme which breaks down salts like SLF-100? If it works the same as it does with flushes It may cut down you soaking time.
My apologies for the delay in replying to you . I haven't tried the thing that you mention I'll look it up on the web...but I very much doubt if it is available here in the UK. Thank you for your comment and take care,
Ed.
what is the appropriate ec for using coconut husks?
As low as you can make it Rosaline...........that's the only comment I can make to you. thank you and take care,
Ed.
Where do you buy yours from Ed, and what brand
I get mine from Waterworld which is just round the corner and it's the Komodo brand. Thanks for the comment Lynn and take care.
Ed
@@EdsOrchids thank you it is the same as I have got hold off, just needed to check. I am using up a supply that originally came from Peter White some years ago which has stored beautifully.
I guess this will be the last question cuz the videos almost over but would soaking this Coco Husk in Epsom salts water hurry up the process
That's a good question Kathleen but how would I be able to tell that I had removed the salt content of the husks? It couldn't give me a good tds reading. Thank you Kath and take care.
Ed.
@@EdsOrchids okay now I get it the Epsom salts would also raise the parts per million in the water you really helped me think things through thank you
As I watch videos I have like a zillion questions that pop up in my mind. One question that I have and it's not even 2 minutes into the video is if you soap bark what would the parts per million reading be? Second question what I've read about Coco coir versus peat moss is peat moss has some nutrient value for a plant versus Coco coir which doesn't have any nutrient value. I was wondering what that would be versus bark is there any nutrient value in bark. Now the third question is because this Coco fiber is more absorbent than bark will it tend to absorb more excess fertilizer... So maybe more Epsom salt flushes will be needed? I'm by the way I did look up voice to text for computers and if you have Windows 10 on your computer it's there on your windows program. If you have a laptop it should be able to be accessed on your keyboard. And it's definitely on your smartphone keyboard but might be hiding behind the little :-) on the cell phone keyboard. If you press down on the :-) icon on the cell phone keyboard a menu will pop up that lets you choose the microphone. Love your videos
To begin with Kathleen everything to do with the 'talking words' is far too complicated for someone of my age.!!!!
Question 1) It will all depend on what type of bark you soak to get a tds reading. The orchiata is supposed to be impregnated with calcium so that would give you a much higher reading.
2) Coir and peat moss are too small a product, in my mind, to have any beneficial effect on orchids. By being small they will compact when wet and will therefore cut off the supply of oxygen to the plants.
3) Yes it will absorb more because of its make up. Most orchids are epiphytes so require a medium that doesn't retain too much water and will dry fairly quickly. Epsom salt flushes for free flowing mediums is ideal but I would be careful about doing it too often with a compact medium.
I do enjoy your questions Kathleen......Thank you and take care.
Ed.
@@EdsOrchids I'm glad to hear my questions don't bug you teehee! I would never use peat moss for my orchids I was just talking in general people who are growing houseplants because that seems to be the big rage right now who can own the most expensive plan or something like that some of these plants are selling for hundreds of dollars it's ridiculous... But they're on their high horse now about we shouldn't use peat moss because it's non-renewable and used Coco coir but that has its down side two especially when I read people are almost hired at slave labor to clean it and pack it and it uses a lot of water to flush it clean of salt before it even gets to us in the market. I think it's funny they told told us we were going to run out of oil back in the 70s and 80s and the world was going to have another Ice Age and we have to spray the snow with coal dust so it would absorb heat and melt otherwise it would get a glaze on it from melting slightly and reflect all the sunlight back into the atmosphere Mother Nature knows how to take care of things. That's why we have all these green plants to use up the extra CO2.
is it ok to use reptile coconut husks from Petco or Petsmart?
It all depends if the husk has been collected from inland trees or trees from the coastal areas which will be carrying lots of salt. I would take the all steps to make the huskd free from salts and clean. thanks for the comment and take care,
Ed.
@@EdsOrchids So rinsing it 3 times with fresh water?
@@cliffcox7643 That might not be enough cliff.
I don't like using it until the parts ppm is below 10
@@EdsOrchids OK, maybe 5 times then.
What's a "sorkin"?
Hi, A sorkin is a soaking....much needed to get rid of the salts,
Ed.
Why are you soaking it?
At last I've got my computer back......sorry for the delay in replying to your comment. The husks are being soaked several times to remove the salt contents of the husks. The dissolved solids had such a high reading of almost 800tds after several soaks in fresh water the tds was reduced to less than 10 total dissolved solids which makes it very usable for using as a very good orchid media.......thank you and take care,
Ed.