Coir is a waste material made from the
fiber in the shell of coconuts. During the late 1980s, a method
was developed to process coconut husks by grinding, washing,
screening, and grading. Because it is only found in tropical
areas, however, its main cost is transportation
Coir is being used as a substitute for peat moss because
it has a high lignin content, decomposes slowly, wets easily,
and holds water. The pH of coir is ideal, ranging from 5.8 to
6.5, but the EC can be high if the husks have been stored in
salt water. In this case, the product needs to be thoroughly
leached with fresh water, although reputable suppliers will
have already done this. Coir has a moderate CEC of 39 to 60
meq/l (less than peat moss), and can adsorb mineral nutrients