New Phal

[Leisurely]

I have been using this mix for two years and my orchids look great. As a matter of fact, the best they have ever looked. I use city water that is low in dissolved mineral salts. Under 100 ppm I think. Anyhow I flush with clear water once a month by first watering heavily and then going back in about fifteen minutes and watering again. The salts, if any, have had time to soften and are leached out with the second watering.

[Becca]

Thanks for the info Jerry! Sounds like something to try with my phals!

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

Make a mix of 50% bark and 50% diatomite. The diatomite soaks up moisture like a sponge but is never wet or soggy. The mositure soaked up by the diatomite is distributed to the bark and/or the plants roots.

I'm very curious about this, sounds very interesting. I've heard of diatomite but never see it in the hydroponic or orchids supply stores. Jerry, do you use this strictly as an additive to the bark mix?

[Leisurely]

You can't really say it is an additive to bark because I use 50/50 bark and diatomite. Sometimes I will also add a small amount of charcoal for a certain plant. It can be obtained from diatomiteusa.com. One of the large California growers, Sunset Valley Orchids, got me to start using it and I consider it a very good find. H & R in Hawaii uses it with sponge rok, a large grade perilite.

[Becca]

Sandy, I have seen diatomite for sale at repotme.com and they have reasonable shipping prices.