[shawnintland]

I agree! I've been using coco chips all along, but in the last year have been adding more and more 'amendments' like Perlite, pumice stones and charcoal. I also agree about monsoon season, that's why I keep adding more and more of these amendments to my mix. The coco seems to get matted down when continually wet and aeration seems to be a bit of a problem for everything except N. mirabilis and some vikings.
I see a lot of controversy regarding coco chips on other forums and in discussions with other growers, mainly those in areas where coconuts are not 'local'. Some people claim to have salt problems, others swear that it breaks down in a matter of weeks! It's another case of "same same but different" as they say in Thailand - same material (maybe) but different methodology, different conditions, different results. I can live with that but it still irks me every time I read a post talking about the 'evils' of coco cubes!
By the way Arvin, if you go to a pharmacy and ask for "Epsom Salts" you'll find it. Among other things, people use it for a foot soaking solution. I've read all kinds of reports about people swearing it is miracle stuff when it comes to plants but have never tried it. Perhaps we now know some of the real reasons behind its reputation!