Re: How compact should potting mix be and what should be used.
 

Hi Richard,
The simplest way to check whether the source of coir chip that you obtain have salt content, just test it with a hydrometer. You can get it from a pet store that sell marine fishes and accessories. Hydrometer is use to check the salinity of the water.

I have been using bags and bags of coir chips, so far no ill effect as the source of coir chips is clean of salt and mainly used for horticulture purposes.

Re: How compact should potting mix be and what should be used.
 

Vermiculite I have those and sometimes mix them, I have not tried pure vermiculite myself. I would only do it for cuttings not for long term use.. I think they will not support a full grown plant.

I remember there was a post about coco coir and a system of soaking and rinsing them and even putting some kind of chemical to allow the salt to be rinsed out... sorry no time to do the search but it should be in petpicher forum. Me? I do not worry too much about salt in Coir, why? Well I do soak my coir, but also because I know that there are lots of neps that can tolerate slight minerals, there are many that can be seen in limestone cliffs and right above the sea. But we shouldn't generalize. I would say though that VFTs, Sarracenias and Droseras might be way more sensitive to trace salts than nepenthes.

TTFN
Arvin

Re: How compact should potting mix be and what should be used.
 

O.O I grow my dancing plant in pure vermiculite:unsure: