Your thoughts on coconut husk chips vs bark?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by JanS

I am encouraged by the positive recent comments - I guess the "Nays" spoke up before the "Yays". So there is still hope for my new giant block of coco chips!

Hehe - yes, I'd give it a try Just maybe pot a few plants in it at first to see how it goes for you - if you don't like it, you can send the rest to me!

[RosieC]

It is interesting how it varies. The original claims it lasted longer must obviously have been from people who found that to be the case, it's just never been the case for me

I really wish we could state what the difference is between those who it lasts longer for and those it doesn't. Is it brand, environment, watering method... who knows

Anyway, if you have some already then no harm in giving it a try. Just keep an eye on how it's degrading and respond accordingly. Good Luck, hope you have the good results of others for me I'll stick with bark or Lecca

[billc]

You all got me thinking. I have a few masdies in CHC for about 2 years, I'll repot them this weekend and shoot some pics of the CHC I take out. I'm hoping it's not all mush.

Bill

[Masdyman]

I have used CH for about 3-4 years and found that you do need to check it after 18-24 months and possibly repot, I use it for Masdevallia mainly. I am now trying a new mix.
There is lots of talk about a mixture or material that lasts a long time. That was one of the reasons I tried husk and the fact I use it on its own with good results.
But I am really struggling to find benefits of having a potting mix that last a long time.
Surely after 2 years it is best to repot anyway? I have also found that if the orchid hasn't out grown and filled its pot in that time then something is wrong with the mix or culture! Which makes a potting material that lasts longer almost pointless.

This is where it brings me to Orchiata, there is no doubt it is a great bark but surely after two years of use is not better than fresh? And what about other implications like pest build up etc.

There is the benefit of less root disturbance but as I have already said I expect a large root system after two years and only a pot on is expected anyway, so root disturbance in minimal.
Anyone?

[orchidsarefun]

well I suppose you can ( eventually ) recycle orchiata after giving it a wash in a bleach solution ?

[Ray]

I might reuse Orchiata as a true mulch of outdoor plants, but never for orchids.

I have a couple of catts in Orchiata for two years, and paphs for three, and other than lightening in color, I see no signs of degradation nor slowing of the plants' growth.


Ray Barkalow
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[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Masdyman

I have used CH for about 3-4 years and found that you do need to check it after 18-24 months and possibly repot, I use it for Masdevallia mainly. I am now trying a new mix.
There is lots of talk about a mixture or material that lasts a long time. That was one of the reasons I tried husk and the fact I use it on its own with good results.
But I am really struggling to find benefits of having a potting mix that last a long time.
Surely after 2 years it is best to repot anyway? I have also found that if the orchid hasn't out grown and filled its pot in that time then something is wrong with the mix or culture! Which makes a potting material that lasts longer almost pointless.

This is where it brings me to Orchiata, there is no doubt it is a great bark but surely after two years of use is not better than fresh? And what about other implications like pest build up etc.

There is the benefit of less root disturbance but as I have already said I expect a large root system after two years and only a pot on is expected anyway, so root disturbance in minimal.
Anyone?

I have some orchids growing like weeds - most notably Onc Sharry Baby, and the have been outgrowing their pots in a year or less, despite my best guess on pot size. Being in a longer lasting media, I can pot up simply plopping the whole undisturbed root mass and media into a larger pot and fill in a few times.

And I've been happy with chc moisture retention regardless of it's expected "life".

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Being in a longer lasting media, I can pot up simply plopping the whole undisturbed root mass and media into a larger pot and fill in a few times.

That's what I do as well. It helps prevent the plant from sulking and not blooming for a cycle.

[Masdyman]

If the potting media has been almost replaced by roots then just potting on is all that is required, that is what I hope for and on the whole is what happens.

[billc]

I usually repot every year but this masdie in CHC got forgotten about last year. I repotted today and the media looks pretty much like it did 2 years ago when it was freshly potted. Looking at my roots I need to tweak my culture, they are not staying moist enough. I will probably try moving them further from the little fan in the grow area.



Here's what it looks like once it's freed from the root mass.



Bill