From what I've studied, there is little difference in the decomposition rates of CHCs vs pine/fir bark, and coir vs peat, so I wouldn't allow durability or longevity of the (soil) components sway my decision to use a coconut product or not. After being pressed by a dear friend to try/evaluate CHC's, I performed a little experiment. Below, is a copy/paste job from a post I left somewhere, earlier this year. Though it starts out talking about coir, it ends with some commentary about CHCs. Sphagnum peat and coir have nearly identical water retention curves. They both retain about 90-95% of their volume in water at saturation and release it over approximately the same curve until they both lock water up so tightly it's unavailable for plant uptake at about 30-33% saturation. Coir actually has less loft than sphagnum peat, and therefore, less aeration. Because of this propensity, coir should be used in mixes at lower %s than peat. Because of the tendency to compact, in the greenhouse industry, coir is primarily used in containers in sub-irrigation (bottom-watering) situations. Many sources produce coir that is high in soluble salts, so this can also be an issue. Using coir or CHCs as the primary component of soils virtually eliminates lime or dolomitic lime as a Ca source because of their high pH (6+). Gypsum should be used as a Ca source, which helps correct coir and CHC's low S content. All coconut products are very high in K, very low in Ca, and have a potentially high Mn content, which can interfere with the uptake of Fe. I haven't tested coir, but I have done some testing of CHCs (coconut husk chips) with some loose controls in place. After very thoroughly leaching and rinsing the chips several times, I made a 5:1:1 soil of pine bark:peat:perlite (which I know to be very productive) and a 5:1:1 mix of CHCs:peat:perlite. I planted 6 cuttings of snapdragon and 6 cuttings of Coleus (each from the same plant to help reduce genetic influences) in containers (same size/shape) of the different soils. I added dolomitic lime to the bark soil and gypsum to the CHC soil. After the cuttings struck, I eliminated all but the three strongest in each of the 4 containers. I watered each container with a weak solution of MG 12-4-8 with STEM added at each watering, and watered on an 'as needed basis', not on a schedule. The only difference in the fertilizer regimen was the fact that I included a small amount of MgSO4 (Epsom salts) to provide MG (the dolomitic lime in the bark soil contained the MG, while the gypsum (CaSO4) in the CHC soil did not. This difference was necessary because of the high pH of CHCs and coir.) for the CHC soil. The results were startling. In both cases, the cuttings grown in the CHC's exhibited only about 1/2 the biomass at summer's end as the plants in the bark mix. I just find it very difficult for a solid case to be made (aside from "It works for me") for the use of coir or CHC's. They're more expensive and more difficult to use effectively. The fact that some believe peat is in short supply (no where near true, btw) is easily offset by the effect of the carbon footprint of coir in its trek to the US from Sri Lanka or other exotic locales. That's the view from here. Al

Well i spoke to a man at SBOE named wayne and i was told he was the manager so i spoke to him and i asked which variety did they sell, the one from the comoros or from madagascar he said he did not know and asked me if there was a genetic difference between the two? i said no i dont beleive. he said thats interesting and that he did not know they were in the comoros and that he thinks the ones they have are from madagascar. so he asked me what is the difference? so i said the rest periods are harsher and longer in madagascar and in the comoros its not that harsh or long. and then i asked what do you do? he told me that they in the winter grow them dry and when they start to show the slightest sign of distress he waters them. so i asked when the leaves look a little wrinkly? he said yeah and then in the summer when they just get a little dry. he advised that many look down-right ugly. he also said that they may even look that way in summer as well just because they are so thirsty. he said i believe that he said that you reduce to about half from regular watering. ill have to call and see if i can speak with him again. they both were very helpful!!!!!!!!!!! I ultimately bought leonis from cal because they did not have them in stock at SBOE. when i called i left a message and then called again and spoke with a woman(Lauris) and she said oh you must be sam looking for the leonis? i said yes i am!!! so she said that she only had 2 left(Lucky me) i was very dissapointed thinking oh well im out of luck thinking she was gonna say that she already sold them. To my suprise she said that she set one aside just for me and that it even has a spike!!! i started jumping up and down!!!!! i asked can is it too late to order it and it be here this weekend? she said no its not. I said can you hold it for me untill my mom gets back with the credit card(Im only 17 hahaha), she said sure but just order before 2:30. so i called back and she said okay and i asked how big are the spikes and she said not too big maybe 2-3 inches and i has one flower that had already bloomed, Wait it Get better she then noticed another spike emerging from the leaves!!!!! so now you'll have two spikes,and it has 7 leaves. the best part is It was 25.00$!!! hah i called at just the right time huh!!! you all will have to come back and check the posts for my pics this friday Okay you promise. ill be sure to describe the fragrance for you guys although MB youve probably smelled it before!!!!!!!!! Thank you all!!!! Happy Growing!!!!!!!!!! Samuel

The Persian lime's branches are still very much green and alive, they have leaves and push flowers, just have a gangly naked appearance from having dropped most of the foliage, so I don't think the plant is anywhere near death, simply acts like it's missing something (maybe needed more light, more nutrients or more balanced aeration/moisture, which the CHCs may be the key to). I think it's going to perk up being outside now that we have truly warm weather in our area finally, but it needs the re-potting desperately for a fresh start. I'll take your advice and give it some time once I get it into a better medium for the roots to grow in. I'd truly rather keep this one alive, as I wouldn't spend the money for getting a new one shipped here after the experience with the Meiwa (even at the decent prices comparitively speaking that Brite Leaf offers). Having citrus is more a novelty and a fun experiment for me, whereas figs are a passion and far easier to grow here in Indiana (they don't have to live indoors in winter, just dormant out in the garage). The limes and kumquat I have are a learning process for me, to figure out how to respond to more finicky requirements for healthy growth (kind of like my potted blueberries are), and with the Persian lime, I can tell there's some requirement not being met, which I'm determined to figure out if there's any way I can. I had a tree that lay dormant in a pot for six months, then suddenly explode with new growth - that was sort of my experience with the seedling kumquat, it was lazy for a while, and then started having more frequent and healthier flushes of growth. I decided it correlated with my being more diligent to add a soluble fertilizer when watering, plus being careful not to keep it too wet between waterings. It took me several years to find a system that works for me, but that it what makes it fun! The joy of growing citrus comes with the experience Yeah, I'd say that's exactly why I'm trying it - it's not like shooting fish in a barrel, there's some finesse to it. More of a delicate fine-tuning, rather than randomly paying attention once in awhile, citrus need focus and time investment (kinda like real relationships :-)). They are not kidding when they say "Patience is a virtue." oh I've got tons of experience in the Deferred Gratification Department (heh..) so waiting on good things is second nature - but the encouragement's definitely appreciated. I'll start with getting the roots in a more happy environment and then see how the plants respond from there. It's good being able to ask in here about mid-course corrections, thanks so much for the pointers. Sherry

Ok, after your post I've transplanted them in my CHC mix sitting for 24 hours. I was ridiculously worried about it but now I'm quite relieved. My little guys definitely loved the CHC, as the roots were well grown inside many individual chips just as your described. I would have gladly left them in their pots but they've already outgrown them.