I have been growing orchids using barks with moss on top for years. This has been working pretty well, and I only water them once a week during summer season and once in two weeks during winter season. I read some article stating coconut fiber is a good media to grow orchids, which maintain moisture better. I have repotted some of my orchids using coconut fiber couple months ago, and I do realize that I don't have water as frequent as before. I was wondering if coconut fiber is suitable for all types of orchid. I understand some orchids like to have good aeration for their roots and concern that coconut fiber may actually do some harm than good. Any advice is really appreciated.

As with every aspect of orchid growing - there truly is NO ONE GOOD OR CORRECT ANSWER!

A few years ago many growers jumped on the coconut fiber bandwagon proclaiming it the NEW wonder medium that was perfect.... only to have many of these same growers abandoning it a few years later... why?

Well, first off... my experience with coconut fiber is mixed. There are MANY different qualities - some far better than other. They should ALWAYS be rinsed and soaked multiple times to make sure the salts (endemic to the fibers since so many palm trees grow near saltwater). I had just plain BAD luck when I replaced fir bark 100% with coconut fiber and just mixed it as I did with fir bark with charcoal and perlite. That said, my mix NOW includes about 20-25% coconut MIXED WITH fir bark, charcoal and perlite and many orchids seem to love it....

There are different sizes of fiber from fine to very course - and this, along with what else you mix it with and what types of orchids you grow will determine what size you use...

However, the reason many are abandoning it as a medium is that unlike fir bark.. it does hold moisture better and seems to last longer.. but once it begins to break down it breaks down VERY VERY quickly and sours quickly and destroys all the roots.. so if you're not 100% on top of repotting regularily it may be a bad solution. BUT if you do repot regularily and have a small enough collection that you can check on the status of the medium and repot as necessary it has its uses.

The old saying: don't fix it if it isn't broke should apply: If you're not experiencing any problems with fir bark mixed and moss - don't upset the boat. That said, of course GOOD fir bark and spagnum moss is getting hard to get (and more expensive).

Some people are switching to semi-hydro using clay marbles that they RAVE about (doesn't work for me). Again - go with what works for you and don't worry about peer pressure to try the next big thing (there's some new dried barks out there from New Zealand that i hear good things about and that I bought a few months ago but I haven't started using yet.. this spring when I'm repotting I'll try it).

Anyone else want to chime in?

Scott