Mounting Medium - Moss vs Coir - Orchid Board

voyager · #1 03-23-2016, 08:36 PM

I have used Chilean and NZ moss extensively for years for mounting my orchids.
I began using it on in-home orchids under very low winter humidity conditions.
It worked very well for me.
I could probably be accurately described as a fanatical proponent of the use of moss.
I have continued to use it after moving to a relatively higher rainfall and humidity location.
I am now reluctantly beginning to think that it may retain too much water for too long under my present outdoor conditions, at least for some of my orchids.

The local farmer's Supply Co-Op carries both Chilean moss and Coir.
The Coir is less expensive [local product?].
I have never used it before and am concerned that it may not suite my needs.

I am considering mixing the mediums if needed to get the retention qualities I need.
I have done similar before using moss and pumice stone for my potted orchids.
by varying the percentages, I could get a potting medium almost perfectly suited to each plant and not need to re-pot until the old dead roots were the problem with the medium.

Has any one used both materials and is familiar as to how they compare in water retention, durability, etc?

Nexogen · #2 03-23-2016, 09:51 PM

Why not mount plant directly?

AnonYMouse · #3 03-23-2016, 10:14 PM

I have coir but I haven't used it to mount. It is a lot messier than sphag. I've received many plants mounted/packed in coir (some of you know who does this) with a tiny pad of sphag and it works for that tropical grower. (I wonder if they deflask onto tiny pads of sphag then, when bigger, smack that onto the coir set up. The coir is always cleaner than the sphag.)

I'm also more arid than you so I'll continue to use sphag on my mounts.

Optimist · #4 03-24-2016, 02:47 AM

I have used choir, but was concerned that it packed too tightly. Now I use a combination of media that includes the orchid grade sphagham moss. Recently I have started to use a lot of small grade bark mix. I like this the best. (I am in a very dry area).

voyager · #5 03-25-2016, 04:58 PM

Thanks folks,
I use the moss to protect and supply water to the roots of the plants when mounting them on our trees, as well as when mounting on rafts.
It can retain too much water for too long for some of the orchids, others it is well suited to.
Our humidity is high enough that we get mists and dew nightly, even during our mini drought periods.

I have learned to use no moss at all for my Tolumnias.
We get too much rainfall to make them truly happy even when mounted bare root.
But, they can survive if no moss is used for mounting.

While they seem to be doing well so far, I am am concerned about some of my species Dendrobiums and a few other supposedly drier growing types.

My feeling is that coir will not absorb and retain nearly as much water as the moss does, but still be as durable, if not more so than the moss.

I'm getting low on moss and will need to pick some up soon.
When I do, I'll pick up a bale of coir also to experiment with.

PS
Got some new bloomers coming up, Dens chrysotoxum and anosmum are beginning to open.
The tree mounted Den. freidericksianum is opening flowers.
The potted one I posted pics of is opening more flowers.
The Den. primulinum is nearing opening flowers.
A Vanda also began opening this morning, a couple of others are getting close.
Pics when they're ready.

I love spring time!

AnonYMouse · #6 03-26-2016, 01:53 AM

Take a look at this link. You can see how this vendor in Malaysia uses the coir. I've received plants with the coir green with algae but otherwise intact.

SFLguy · #7 03-26-2016, 03:17 AM

Be sure to check your coir because some companies wash their coir in seawater

voyager · #8 03-27-2016, 04:03 PM

@ AnonYMouse
That is interesting, seems to verify my thoughts on its resistance to degrading.

@ SFLguy
That is scarey.
The product I'm looking at here is being sold for horticultural uses.
I don't think that will be a problem.
BUT, I will now always check any that I get.
I assume that simply tasting it for salt would be good enough.

SFLguy · #9 03-27-2016, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voyager

@ AnonYMouse
That is interesting, seems to verify my thoughts on its resistance to degrading.

@ SFLguy
That is scarey.
The product I'm looking at here is being sold for horticultural uses.
I don't think that will be a problem.
BUT, I will now always check any that I get.
I assume that simply tasting it for salt would be good enough.

I hope so, if you don't trust your tongue, you can buy a tds meter online ($20) and soak the fiber in water and then test the water to see how high it is