Favorite phalaenopsis mix. . .

[peeweelovesbooks]

So,

The discussion about favorite cattleya mix is very helpful and informative......what's everyone's favorite mix for phalaenopses? thanks in advance.

[Tindomul]

Well, I can't seem to decide on my own favorite mix. I love sphag, I love bark, and I love Semi Hydro. I have one with a mix of all three. I have had Phals rise and fall in all three. So I can't make up my mind.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Tindomul,

I've tried s/h and I was an abject failure (all my fault, not s/h, I'm sure). My plants are recovering now (after some tragic deaths, LOL) and I went back to pure moss. However, here is South Florida, moss doesn't last very long. So, I'm looking for alternatives that will make my phals happy in these muggy conditions.

[isurus79]

Both mine are in spag. My Dtps Minho Princess 'SJ' is bigger than any other of the same variety that I have seen on this island!! I think it does pretty well in spag. I do cut slits down the side of the plastic pot that it is in though.

[ipv6ready]

Hi I am a beginner and only been growing for ten months.

I hate to admit it but I realised with the help of this board that I am a HEAVY HEAVY waterer

For reasons only known to my subconscious mind I didn't want to go down the S/H part therefore I made up my own mix taking what I learned to overcome my heavy watering.

In any given pot I fill the bottom 25% of the pot with just expanded clay.

Then I mix up this little concoction

one part Expanded clay pellets
one part large coconut husk chips
one part 1 to 2cm hardwood bark.

It allow for my heavy handed watering and at the same time provide excellent air flow to the roots plus the mix retains moisture from the husk chips.

My phals seems to love it.

[Sandy4453]

I have tried every possible medium and every combination you could think of for my Phals and I felt I wasn't getting the best results UNTIL trying 50/50 regular bark mix and coir. Not all coir is created equal and getting a high grade coir, essential. Now, my leaves are firm, the roots are healthy, leaf growth is at a faster rate with this combination, just everything to know that they're happy and thriving.

[priz_m]

OMG! so you can actually mix LECA with organic media? the reason I ask is because I almost lost 2 phals to moss I brought one back (the other is still in the ICU) that grew a couple new roots and is growing a new leaf.... I moved it to s/h and the tips of 2 roots are rotting I am sure it is not s/h i just haven't figured out what works. So when you say you mix LECA with bark, do you use a s/h pot or a regular pot?

Because I would really like to try that

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by SRF

I have tried every possible medium and every combination you could think of for my Phals and I felt I wasn't getting the best results UNTIL trying 50/50 regular bark mix and coir. Not all coir is created equal and getting a high grade coir, essential. Now, my leaves are firm, the roots are healthy, leaf growth is at a faster rate with this combination, just everything to know that they're happy and thriving.

From where do you buy the coir from? What is that made of? thanks!

[peeweelovesbooks]

Also, what type of bark do you use? fir bark? medium or coarse? Thanks!!!

[Phyrex]

Coir is made from coconut fiber and has the same basic charactoristics as peat moss. Coir has substantial moisture retention with good aeration.