WHAT KIND OF POTTING????? for my phal

[Narnia]

Thanks, it sounded appealing for its reusability and for nonbreakdown, but maybe that's too advanced for me. I'm collecting fast, but I still really have no idea what I'm doing. I'm going to stick with the orchid bark mix personally.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Narnia

Thanks, it sounded appealing for its reusability and for nonbreakdown, but maybe that's too advanced for me. I'm collecting fast, but I still really have no idea what I'm doing. I'm going to stick with the orchid bark mix personally.

Narnia, I would suggest you to read Ray's website All about Semi-Hydroponics and the S/H section in this forum... then, pic a cheap orchid from teh supermarket (e.g. a NOID you lie, but you would not mind too much if you loose it - Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum are good plants for this) and try it in S/H (Ray has a good starter's kit in his website!) Once you feel more confident, you can decided whether you like the method and/or it works for you, and then also whether you want to try other plants.

Don't be afraid to loose a couple of plants (we all have done it a couple of times too ) You need to try and test what works for you... Check your growing conditions and go this kind of plants. ok, I admit, we all forget this from time to time too (recently, I bought two plants which I know need cold weather to grow, and which I cannot provide: I kill one, and had to give the other to a friend with cooler conditions)

[Narnia]

Thanks for the advice. I actually have a NOID (the first chid I bought) that maybe I will try it on. Or, maybe I'll get a different one since she is my first and I'm a little nostalgic. Ray mentioned he's got that 15% off thing going on too!

[Zoi2]

If you're thinking about s/h, you might want to check this site out.
Joann

How to pot an Orchid using the Semi-Hydroponic method.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Try to get good quality medium, since the stuff sold in big box stores and garden centers usually has too much fine stuff in it, or has peat added.

I agree with everything Camille has said but especially this.

With my first Phal I thougt 'Oh I'm a beginner so the stuff from the garden center will be fine'.

BAD mistake... nearly killed two Phals before I realised what the problem was.

My advice is find an online orchid specialist and buy from there. My supplier (Orchid Accessories - www.orchidaccessories.co.uk) does ship to the US aparently but there are bound to be good ones with cheeper shipping there in the US.

In my experience even garden centers which have an orchid section don't carry good quality bark, or their turnover for bark is so small that the stuff has already decayed in the bag.

[Call_Me_Bob]

so i cant buy from a garden center

[Call_Me_Bob]

im in america... is there anywhere that takes american currency

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by help

im in america... is there anywhere that takes american currency

Get your medium from someplace in the US, it's silly to order it overseas, especially for things so widely available! I don't know where you should get it, but american members should be able to tell you. Some of the garden center medium is good, but you have to know which brands and such.

[Amanda L]

I use www.calwesttropical.com They are reasonably priced and the orders get to you quick.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Get your medium from someplace in the US, it's silly to order it overseas, especially for things so widely available! I don't know where you should get it, but american members should be able to tell you. Some of the garden center medium is good, but you have to know which brands and such.

does anyone know the brands that are good that are available at the garden center... cuz i dont wanna pay out the wazzooo for potting cuz im new and my funds are limited