Perhaps Dave you are confusing coconut fibre which is often used for
lining baskets with the stuff that makes up cocopeat. The cellular
material that makes up cocopeat is the plant tissue torn from between
the extremely strong fibres during the threshing operation of old
coconut husks in which the fibres are extracted and the coir is left
behind. This cellular material, due to its peculiar cellular
structure is able to absorb vast quantities of water quicker than dry
milled peat and thus is a potential substitute (Sorry to harp on this
point for those who are already in the know). The only concern I have
about using this stuff is that it used to have an initially high salt
content but this may have been rectified by now. At a talk I attended
on the subject it was stated that the pH is usually slightly negative
(acidic) so it seemed promising. I will have to try it myself to
really satisfy myself of its potential.
P.S I think it is important to discuss these subjects thoroughly to
get the best possible picture from the host of replies even if it
does get a bit repetitive.
Martin Henery
Biological Sciences