EpiWeb Chunks and Watering

[Becca]

Hi! For those of you using EpiWeb chunks as a potting medium, is it possible to over water an orchid? I would think it would impossible, but I thought I would double check. I potted two phals, one with a good root system, and one with a bad root system, in hopes of seeing how they would like the EpiWeb chunks, and in hopes of me not over watering them. I have been having a tendency to keep moss mixture too moist (in combo with to large of a pot size and not packing the moss tightly enough in the pot) for a few of my phals and have had some rather negative results lately. My moss mixture has chunks of cork, bark, and perlite as well, so I thought I would be ok, boy was I wrong! So I was hoping someone could tell me I wouldn't be able to over water with the EpiWeb chunks, even if I watered daily, because I think the phals may need it with the EpiWeb, they look as though they dry out quickly.

[kavanaru]

well, I would say it is easier to underwater... My experience is that it is great to keep roots well ventilated, but it retains almost no water... I mix it with LECA and have goods results so far...

currently experimenting with a Vanda and
Rhynchostylis (trying to save this last one, as it did not like S/H at all), and tehy seem to be happy so far... The Vanda is producing lots of roots (have it in a S/H pot and try to keep water in the reservoir most of the time - but cannot call S/H... it is mostly for the evaporation part )

[Becca]

Ooooh that is a neat idea, using the s/h pots. It seems like a few people like to use the s/h medium, without the s/h culture....how quickly would the s/h medium dry out that way? I don't mind watering more often as long as it won't over water the roots.

[cb977]

Becca, I don't have a problem with it...but when I'm misting the vandas and mounts every day, I also spray a bit into the potted ones.

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[Becca]

Hi Sue! I figured that would be the case, needing to kind of give it a spray or mist into the pot daily or every other day. Thank you for the feedback!

[Ray]

Becca, EpiWeb chunks is a terrible idea for a phalaenopsis potting medium. They like to be constantly moist, and the only way to do that with EpiWeb is to run water through it continually.

I have used PrimeAgra in "traditional" culture, and how fast it dries depends upon how well it was saturated, the size, shape and material of the pot, the temperature, air movement, and humidity around it.