COIR disappointment (forum)

snottiegobble starts with ...
I bought a Brunnings mega 90 block of coir mulch expecting it to break down to fine mulch after soaking, but no, it remained as inch square chunks of palm tree & didnt swell up to match the photo on the pack. Ok its useful for mulching trees etc, but not for vegies as I had anticipated. Can anyone suggest a better coir product, please?

Time: 3rd May 2011 11:28pm

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About the Author snottiegobble
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Jimmy says...
Thats about standard.

Greenfingers garden show had the good stuff. mnaybe cjeck out their website?

Time: 4th May 2011 1:27am

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About the Author Jimmy
Perth
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Brendan says...
sg, try Brunnings "Easy Wetta Potting Mix Coir Block". It's contains about 96% fines.

http://www.brunnings.com.au/coir.html

Time: 4th May 2011 9:30am

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Original Post was last edited: 4th May 2011 9:48am

About the Author Brendan
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Brad says...
yeah, i wouldn't touch the mulch one with a barge pole

Time: 4th May 2011 1:48pm

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About the Author Brad2
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Charles cant spell says...
Yup as above the mulch one is mulch, I think its intended for orchid growers and the like not for potting mix and seedlings. For seed germination and small seedlings the potting mix fines one is also problematic as you are picking out the 10% of chunks as they are 1/2 the volume of your seedling punnet holes.
Not sure if you can get it but you are better off with Gods Gift compost or a similar fine peaty compost. Just check the pH a lot are 8.5pH plus due to the
mushroom compost component.

Time: 4th May 2011 2:45pm

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About the Author Charlesstillcantspell1
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snottiegobble says...
Thanks fellas, I will look out for the potting mix coir. If I can locate Gods Gift I will just add coffee grounds ( have access to a cafe) & see how we go!

Time: 4th May 2011 4:27pm

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About the Author snottiegobble
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Brad says...
you looking for a soil conditioner or a mulch? to mulch vegies - I'd be recommending straw types (pea straw, lupin mulch, spoiled hay etc)

I use coir as a soil / potting mix additive and also sometimes to feed worms. not on the surface

Time: 4th May 2011 6:47pm

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About the Author Brad2
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snottiegobble says...
Yes Brad I have tried all of those & ended up with wheat grass, field pea plants, & lupins. I just wanted something with no lumps, easy to spread, ideal for vegie seedlings & no weed seeds coming up on mass!

Time: 4th May 2011 8:10pm

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About the Author snottiegobble
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Brendan says...
Hi sg, we use organic Sugarcane mulch up here, it's not cheap but covers well and lasts about 6 months. I'm mulching my garlic & tomatoes with it now.

That brunnings coir mulch is excellent for mulching avocado (& other fruit) trees :-)

Time: 5th May 2011 7:03am

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About the Author Brendan
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Brad says...
You can get cane mulch in WA (bunnings) but not cost effective.

Time: 5th May 2011 10:16am

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snottiegobble says...
Thanks guys, I will check them both out.

Time: 5th May 2011 12:23pm

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amanda says...
LOL - SG - I used the 'chunky' coir for mulch and it ALL blew away here!? When it's dry it's very lightweight stuff :-( Geez I was mad! I use the small blocks of very fine stuff in my worm farm only. The bang for your buck may be better spent on lucerne hay, or lupin straw as Brad says. Like sugar cane mulch - lucerne has plant growth promoters (triacontanol) - bonus!
I don't mind lupins or lucerne as weeds - they are easy to pull out and the best 'weed' is a nitrogen fixing weed ;-)

Time: 5th May 2011 10:04pm

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About the Author amanda19
Gerladton. Mid West WA
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Brendan says...
Hi amanda,
I really don't know how you grow ANYTHING over there! Have to give you 110% for trying tho :-)

Time: 6th May 2011 7:33am

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amanda says...
Ta Brendan...it's just pigheadness sometimes I think. ;-)


Time: 6th May 2011 4:32pm

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About the Author amanda19
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Skyla says...
Hello I was just wondering if this product would be good for layering Over the garden bed. I have quite a big garden bed but its looking in need of a freshen up I thought mulch would do the trick.. Thanks skye

Time: 10th December 2012 11:38am

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About the Author Skyla
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amanda says...
Hi Skyla - I will jump in here ;-) I love the fine coir and use it a fair bit - but I don't use it as a chunky mulch though. It tends to blow away when it's dry!

Also, it has some really great properties - and is much better off in the soil rather than on top of it. And- a very expensive way to mulch a large garden...?

As the coir resists degradation - it would last a number of years..but it won't be 'feeding' your topsoil like you might want a mulch to do..?

It's up to you tho - at the end of the day :)

Time: 11th December 2012 11:28am

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About the Author amanda19
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robort hudson says...
You can use cocopeat blocks, they are great water absorbing and have nutrients, which hold the water and soil. Its Ph is balanced.

Time: 3rd January 2013 12:01am

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About the Author roborthudson
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