Homemade Aussie Gold recipe

[Auger]

Does anyone have a recipe for a homemade Aussie Gold? Is it 1 part each Diatomite, Coir Fiber, Charcoal and Perlite?

[Leisurely]

I make a mix using diatomite but I don't copy Aussie Gold. I use 50% diatomite, 30% bark, 10% charcoal and 10% sponge rok. The plants seem to like it. I sometimes think that all of the mixes are just entertainment for the grower. I purchased plants recently from a grower in Ga. who grew them in nothing but charcoal. The root system was massive winding around and around in the pot and the plants were perfect. It is not what you grow the plants in, it is how you cultivate them.

[Becca]

I think Jerry said it all...it's not what they are growing in but how you grow them. A potting medium that works for one person may not work for another. For an example I use a potting medium for my Catt's that works well for others and when I first started using it the root systems took off like crazy...but now I have found this isn't the ideal mix for me since it dries out to fast even with my high humidity orchidariums and watering once a week....if I had time to water my entire collection twice a week or could just hose them down it would be great! Hope this example helps! I did try Aussie Gold Mix and I wasn't happy with it...but that was two years ago when I was just starting out! I like trying new things so my orchids unfortunately are along for the ride most of the time...lol.

[bodaciousbonsai]

aussie gold mix is garbage I highly do not reccommened that garbage. it holds water way to long and rots roots. again it is garbage in my view.out with the garbage out with aussie gold

[rogerman]

Here, I use solid blocks of coconut for my Cattleyas and Dens..... I'm finding I have to water about three times a day, as the plants are drying out too fast. This summer has turned out to be a real scorcher. At the moment it is still quite cool at 35 degrees C and it is only midday. Wait till 3-4PM and then the heat will be here.

[Leisurely]

I wouldn't call Ossie Gold garbage but I would have to agree with you about it's general use. I bought a bag and tried a dozen plants as an experiment. Three months later, the plants looked pretty bad. When I looked at the roots, most all of them were rotten and about half of them never did recover after re-potting. It might work if you knew how to grow in it. Sphagnum can stay too wet also but you have to know that it must be crispy dry before watering for most plants.

[littlefrog]

I make a mix that looks a lot like Aussie gold, not that I use either for orchids. It was small diatomite, a coir based potting soil, and another small grade of rock (haydite) that I use. It is a great mix for bromeliads and some of my other potted plants, might have worked on some pleurothallids but I didn't try it.

I couldn't tell you the exact ratios, but it was pretty easy. I could make a whole lot of it if I thought people would buy it, but I didn't want to sell it as an "Aussie Gold" knockoff. I try to stay off other people's turf, it just isn't worth the effort.

[Jkelee]

I bought tons and tons of Aussie Gold!! And Lost about 200 chids from it!! Rot Rot!!!
Sorry just hate that I spent sooo much $$, and lost sooo many of my babies!!

I use Lava rock and moss, and my chids love it
Good luck with your babies!!