Coconut coir, also known as coco coir or coco chips, is an excellent growing medium for orchids. It absorbs moisture but drains quickly, providing moist but not soggy conditions for roots. High-quality grade coconut husk chips can be found at local garden centers or nursery or online stores.
Orchids can be grown in pots with fir bark, coir, perlite, and any mix that does not allow the roots to remain constantly soggy, such as potting soil. A hanging basket with coconut husk at the bottom is perfect for this purpose. Once the plant has grown and some vines are crawling upward and some areal roots, you can change the potting medium to bark and sphagnum.
Vanilla bean orchids are prone to root rot, so use a well-draining potting mix. Standard orchid mixes work well for these plants, or you can make your own DIY orchid mix using coco coir, perlite, and bark chips. Some advanced orchid lovers recommend using a “coco soil” mix.
Coco husk is mixed with biochar and used for planting vanilla orchids at Silk Grass Farms. Common growing mediums include pine bark, coconut coir, or lava rocks. Vanilla orchids are the only orchid in which the roots can breathe while retaining just enough moisture. To encourage upward growth, provide a sturdy trellis, stake, or coco coir pole, gently guide the vines, and use velcro to secure the top of the pot.
📹 Vanilla Orchid intervention + Testing coconut medium from IKEA!
Today we need to address the Vanilla orchid situation, which looks a bit worrying for a while. Since we’re here, let’s test a new …
Why is vanilla orchid so expensive?
Madagascar is the primary source of vanilla, a highly expensive spice due to the labor-intensive cultivation process required to produce it. Due to the non-native nature of vanilla orchids, which bloom for only one day a year, farmers are required to perform hand-pollination.
What is the best substrate for orchids?
Sphagnum moss is a fluffy material that provides moisture and ideal conditions for orchid growth and flowering. Its texture resembles a nurturing mother. Perlite and vermiculite are tiny mineral particles that balance drainage and moisture in orchid soil. Coconut fiber, derived from the palm tree, is a powerful ingredient in orchid soil, holding moisture like a sponge and allowing air to circulate like a gentle breeze. These elements work together to create a healthy and healthy orchid environment.
Can you plant directly in coconut coir?
Coconut coir is a versatile growing medium for seedlings, mature plants, rooting mats, baskets, and cuttings in hydroponics systems. It should be thoroughly wetted before planting and moisture levels should be monitored during the growing process. To increase air circulation in the root area, perlite can be mixed with the coir. When using buffered coco coir like Mother Earth® Coco, it won’t tie up calcium and magnesium in the nutrient solution. A nutrient solution specially formulated for coconut coir is recommended.
In container gardening, coconut coir can help retain moisture in soil and container garden potting mixes, making it an excellent choice for fast-draining soils. It’s essential to use a nutrient solution specifically formulated for coconut coir.
How often should I mist a vanilla orchid?
In order to maintain healthy roots, it is recommended that a balanced time-release fertilizer be applied on a year-round basis, with monthly foliar applications for the aerial roots.
What is the best medium for vanilla orchids?
Vanilla orchids are semi-epiphytic plants that can be grown in soil or air, with a loose and airy medium like bark mulch or light, loamy soil being ideal. They require minimal care, with minimal fertilizer, pruning, and watering unless in severe drought. Their aerial roots absorb moisture from humid air, and they require a two-month dry spell for flowering. To avoid stunting flower production, avoid giving them too much water. Their beans are sensitive to rot from excessive moisture.
Maturation takes about four years, and once the stem reaches a diameter of half an inch, it is ready to begin. Looping the stem around the trellis helps stimulate root development, leading to a stronger, healthier vine.
Can coconut coir replace perlite?
Coco coir is a soil amendment that can help aerate soil like perlite but responds differently to water. It improves water retention, reducing the need for frequent watering. Coco coir is superior to perlite in hydroponic systems as it effectively anchors roots. It is an organic byproduct of the coconut industry, made from discarded coconut husk fibers used in growing pots, seed-starting pellets, and soil amendments.
Coco coir absorbs calcium and magnesium, so it requires additional nutrients to be added to water. However, it effectively facilitates the absorption of other nutrients for plants. Overall, coco coir is an eco-friendly alternative to nonrenewable perlite.
What is the best potting mix for vanilla orchids?
To harvest vanilla from an orchid, cut a vine with at least six growth nodes, remove the two lowest leaves, and fill a small flower pot with moist sphagnum moss or a mixture of orchid bark, peat moss, and perlite. Bury the cutting into the growing medium, press the medium tightly around the base, insert a plant stake, and secure it with ties. Keep the growing medium consistently damp for four to six weeks until new growth appears. Once the cutting begins to vine, train the plant to grow on a larger trellis.
Harvesting vanilla from orchids requires patience, as the plants take anywhere from three to five years to mature. Hand-pollinate the flowers within 12 hours of blooming, and small green pods will form within a week. If successful, your three-year-old vanilla orchid will produce green bean-like pods from October through March, which should be at least six inches long. The curing process is labor-intensive and involves sweating and drying, contributing to the premium price of vanilla beans sold in markets. Store the cured beans in an airtight container indefinitely.
Can I use coconut coir for orchids?
Coconut coir is a sustainable and versatile medium for orchids, providing the ideal balance of moisture retention and drainage. Its eco-friendly nature, pest resistance, and versatility make it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced orchid enthusiasts. Whether repotting a beloved plant or starting a new orchid adventure, coconut coir creates an optimal growing environment for your prized blooms. For more tips on orchid care, sustainable gardening practices, and innovative horticultural techniques, visit our blog regularly.
What is the best medium for orchids?
Sphagnum moss is often used with orchid bark to retain water and prevent fungus, but it must be replaced annually due to its rapid breakdown. Tree fern, a Central American fern with rigid roots, is easy to use and can stay fresh for up to three years. Its drainage properties are similar to orchid bark but is less commonly used in the U. S. due to its higher cost. Osmunda fiber, once the preferred potting material, has been replaced by moss due to its cost, limited availability, and difficulty in cutting into potting-size pieces. It is also impractical today due to its difficulty in ensuring proper drainage.
Do vanilla orchids like humidity?
Vanilla Orchids thrive in a 70-80 humidity range, mirroring their tropical origins. This moisture is crucial for their growth and flowering, as without it, they are just fancy green leaves. Humidity is the invisible fuel for these plants, and the right humidity is like the VIP pass to the show. To measure indoor humidity levels, use a hygrometer, which tells you when the air is too dry or when it’s throwing a moisture rave. Keep it close to your orchid but away from direct sunlight or drafts for a reliable reading.
Do vanilla orchids like full sun?
Vanilla plants thrive in warm, humid climates and prefer bright sun, with some shade at noon. They prefer palm trees or oaks that provide sufficient light for blooming while providing shade and wind protection. To make cuttings, remove lower leaves and place the bottom end of the plant in a plastic pot filled with sphagnum moss. Mist the roots daily and keep the media moist. If the plant has roots, place them in soil next to a tree or wooden pole, add leaf litter, peat, or mulch, or plant them in a pot with a mixture of potting soil, compost, and orchid mix and tie the vine onto a support. Fertilize with 20-20-20 weakly every week and top-dress the pot with Nutricote slow-release fertilizer in the spring.
📹 How to propagate Orchids with coir very much roots
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Vanillas are hemiepiphytes- They start in the ground like normal plants and start vining up a tree, after some time the lower part of the plant dies off and it becomes kind of an epiphyte, since it does not have direct connection to the ground. And it has additional roots on the stem which should act as normal orchid roots. The die back of the old parts may be natural, nothing with medium. I also read somewhere they like to dangle, in nature they grow to the top of whatever they are growing on and then dangle out in the sun. Supposedly they need to dangle if they are to bloom.
I’ve bought loads of oncidiums and dendrobiums in this type of medium and if I’m honest the roots have been quite good! I was surprised you can grow these in such a heavy medium. I have used it in my other plants in the garden and they seem happy. I plan to try mixing it with bark and perlite for cymbidiums at some point.
I have been growing vanillas for about 10 years… Uh, that coconut quire alone is a very bad idea (no nutrition), at least mix it with some regular soil. Vanillas like their roots more compacted. This medium will work good with semi-terestials but not with vanillas. The roots rotted because you water it too much, let the soil dry between waterings and again the vanilla will hate the medium you used as it stays too moist for too long and is too airy. I again recommend a coconut rope instead of the stake, it’s less dangerous for it to fall over. It will grow up to about 30m long and that stake is just very cumbersome. The aerial roots do not need to be moistened/sprayed with water. If they dry that’s no problem. they are there just for the orchid to climb a tree. My vanillas have here and there dried aerial roots and the plant does not care at all. Even if you want to propagate it by cuttings and the vine has no roots it is not a problem. Just put it on damp soil and new will grow and root. Your vanilla also grows very slowly, might be due to the improper fertilization and medium. They do like a lot of fertilizer so don’t be scared to give it more. I personally use a slow release stick fertilizer for indoor plants and a regular soil for indoor plants. Btw. the roots can not burn if you fertilize too much.
I rescued a couple pals from my uncle in August that had only a few roots each, I planted one in pure coconut husk and one with half C.H and orchid bark, both have put out about a dozen roots with 2 new leaves and the one in pure c.h even set out a spike a month ago. I had my doubts about it for phals but they seem to enjoy it
I’ve learned a lot from you over the years, but I disagree with you on this. Using straight coir can be too wet, but I’m a heavy handed waterer. I’d have liked to see you layer the pot with the pebbles, then bark & perlite then an inch of coir on top. Some of the coir would trickle down, and the mix would be more aerated. Also THANK YOU for posting follow up articles! It’s really nice to learn alongside you. Keep up the good work.
Hi Danny, Thank you for your very interesting articles which I and many of the members of my Orchid Society have been very grateful for about learning Orchid growing when we first started. I live in Western Australia & have no problem buying Vanilla Bean Orchids (Vanilla planifolia). My plant was given to me in 2019 & now it is 2022. My Orchid is actually growing in a normal Potting mix to which I added some drainage materials & it is now about three metres long. I grow mine on a Fan shaped Support & just wind it round as it grows. The growing suggestions which came with the plant say: Semi Shade to Shade/ Water regularly/ Well-drained soil/ Climbing plant 2-3 metres. I was told to use weak fertiliser & that it won’t flower for about 5 years.
My vanillLa orchid is potted in plain orchiata and does fine. It will grow entirely epiphytic if it needs to, no need to worry about the rotted roots, the epiphytic. ones will dangle down and embed themselves in the medium. I have had mine for 12-15 years, and any time part of it dies i just cut the bad part out and the rest of the plant continues to thrive, despite the fact that my cats nibble on the lower leaves.
I’m growing my vanilla in sphagnum moss and up a sphagnum moss pole. The pole is just a mesh chicken wire type thing filled with sphagnum moss and rolled into a pole. It allows me to water the plant from the top down and keep the arial climbing roots moist and give them something to cling on. For fertilizer I use a balanced orchid fertalizer every so often along with some 10/10/10 osmocote balls added to the moss early on.
Aaaawww Poor vanilla hope she recover soon I’m sure! 👍🌱 I used that Odla coco coir with clay pebbles as I’m quite frightened that it will suffocate the roots medium for my cymbidium it turns out to be doing great. Well, all the best with the vanilla I hope 🤞 to see an update soon as I im planning to get one myself. Thanks for sharing ❤️
hey Danny, thank you for your article. I was wondering if you have got a plan to do some kind of update on this variegated vanilla orchid??? I am awaiting for a pretty similar cuttings and would be so nice to see/hear your opinion on the IKEA coconut husk, how your lovely vanilla is doing in this medium. thanks
Coconut husk media is also very popular in INDIA to,its cheap,very easy to find,majority of orchids here in nursery are grown in coconut husk,but it accumulate salt and also you have wash them,soak them very well,to remove tanins,salts,and this is not at all my liking,i prefer orchiata bark instead if you prefer organic…but if you are able to wash them properly than its a delight for orchids,especially coconut chips if you use…
Vanilla is not a base-rooted plant. Each air-root is a “root” for this plant. It can grow completely without a pot. I have had a 30′ vanilla vine growing solely with air-roots in jars of water, even. The secret to growing vigorous vanilla is to give as many aerial roots access to moisture as possible.
I was wondering what your thoughts were in using inorganic media like seramis? I am a hughe fan of it (because of you) I am not a fan of regular media because the bugs love it. I keep mine in a screened in patio as well. I have 3 nice size vanillas that I am about to repot. Supposedly with the same thing they are in now. They are doing amazing but have gotten to tall and have grown taller than the wood it is on now. I can not find anything at all on inorganic media and vanilla orchids. Do they just not jive? I also have my zygo in a seramis and small bark combo. Have you ever gotten any vanillas to bloom for you?
I’ve been using cocopeat for a few years now, and it’s really nice. I usually mix in some perlite as well. I’ve used it for Ludisia, but I also used it for epythites, like phalaes, oncidiums, miltonia and they did well. The only caveat with preudobulb orchids is to not let the medium completely dry out, as I found that it will suck out moisture from the roots and it adheres to them, unlike with phalaenopsis, which didn’t have that problem. Oh, and it becomes super light when dry, so you need to set up some weight with pebbles on the bottom of the pot so it doesn’t topple over.
Your article and audio quality is good but let me be critique with the hope of you having better shows: Please talk less and more to the point. Too many redundant sentences and repeated words won’t help. Have a plan as to what message you want to pass. Organize it in a good sub topics and deliver it with least amount of words that carry the most message. Otherwise good job and keep showing us more.