Substrate Options

[HiOrcDen]

I'm wondering what folks think about Miracle Gro Orchid Mix. Are there better options, based on performance or value? What is the significance of it being rough cut?

I have a couple really small Orchids, with tiny wood chips. Would I simply sift to get mix for a small plant?

Also, a couple plants have different substrates, such as moss, or a fiber (don't recall the name, kind of a long grass fiber) Ray from the forum has suggested thorough and frequent waterings with low concentrate fertilizer. What kind of substrates allow best for this practice?

[Ray]

To me, there is no particular potting medium that is better than another, because the circumstances vary, and choosing a potting medium takes a little thought:

Thinking specifically in your growing conditions and your willingness/ability to water it properly,

• How well does it absorb water?
• Does it remain sufficiently airy?
• Will it become compact over time?
• How long will it last?

And how well with all of the above work in unison to meet the needs of the plant?

You might find THIS of value.

[estación seca]

I think Miracle Gro Orchid Mix has too many fine particles. My guess is it was formulated for people not accustomed to growing orchids who forget to water their Phals.

[Dimples]

I haven't used the Miricle Grow orchid mix but the bags I've felt feel like at least 50% peat moss with a few chunks mixed in. Probably ok for some obligate terrestrials that need to stay damp/moist/wet or for aroids, but not for epiphytes.

If Miricle Grow makes it, I avoid it as a general rule. In my area there are better products readily available, often sitting on the same shelf (general products, not just the orchid supplies). Some people use their products successfully, and other people have much more limited options, but I have never liked the MG products I have tried.

[stonedragonfarms]

Your question is very general; so it's hard to give a specific answer. What plants you are growing, where you are growing [ie under lights, on the patio, in the greenhouse, etc.], what you pot preference is & a myriad of other dynamics come into play. Ray's media guide is a great resource; you might look through it and give us a bit more detail about your plants.
As to Miracle-Grow orchid media, I have encountered 2 different sorts; there is one that it about 50/50 forest fines [ie humus, composted bark, leafmould] & 'aggregate' [ie perlite, calcined clay, pumice], and another that looks like they just pulled samples of fir bark from 73 different sources and bagged it--there's 'ZERO' size grading. The first functions a lot like Pro-mix does [caveat, I'm talking strictly in the greenhouse here, 99% of what I have under lights is mounted]; ie relatively airy in the pot & stays moist. The second, strictly bark stuff, I wouldn't even consider using straight--it's simply too nonuniform in particle size. I do use it in custom blends though, usually for Cymbidiums.

[Roberta]

There are so many better products... and for the OP, especially living in coastal southern California, there are lots of them that are pretty easy to obtain locally without paying shipping. I suggest getting high quality materials - good bark like Kiwi Bark or Orchiata, some perllite, good-quality sphagnum moss (like SpagMoss) and creating a mix that matches the needs of the various plants in YOUR conditions. Doing that can be more of a challenge (and certainly expense) in most places, but in southern California there are some really good choices. Examples: Sunset Valley Orchids for Kiwi Bark, Yamada Co. in Gardena for Orchiata, perlite, and Sphagnum as well as generic small and medium bark that is pretty good, Orange County Farm Supply in Orange for perlite, generic bark, and Rexius bark, and shows offer some additional options though supplies vendors are not as common as they once were....

[Dimples]

I’ve found some G&B orchid bark locally in North County nurseries and garden centers. Grangetto’s and some Ace Hardware locations. They have seedling size, small, and medium. They all have a bit of sap wood mixed in there but not much and otherwise it’s pretty good. The medium is really pretty bark. The products aren’t on the G&B website and I’ve not found an online supplier so I don’t know what the availability is elsewhere.

Green Thumb Nursery (San Marcos) carries Gardener’s brand orchid bark in 2 cubic foot bags in a couple sizes. Looks pretty good through the bag but I’ve never used it.

SVO has kiwi bark so if you’re in the area pick up a bag or two.

[nemesis]

Before I knew any better, I ordered 2 bags and repotted all my orchids in it. Everyone started failing and I lost 2 orchids. It was just full of dust and small particles even though it was advertised as a large medium. .I was so disappointed in it I will not buy any more MG products....just sayin'.

[tmoney]

i will be the bad guy. i try not to completely trash products in online forums, but miracle gro "orchid mix" is a horrible product...imho. there, ive said it, and i feel better again until the next miracle gro question!!!

only my of course

plus it is so easy (and cheaper) to buy your own materials from proper orchid nurseries either on line or in person and they will be 100% better