Question on Sphag Moss Media - Orchid Board

zxyqu · #1 10-06-2009, 12:35 PM

Hi All of OB

. Ok, so I've been slowly switching some of my growing Chids into S/H, but some are being stubborn not putting out new roots. I know the stigma of growing in sphag only, but I have a question. So a couple of them are going along pretty nicely, but have some incredibly packed sphag in the pot and around the roots. While they are healthy now, I wonder about later. But, since they seem fine, I'm hesitant to change the media to quickly
So, my question. Since the media doesn't dry out, and is quite packed, can I reduce the stress on the plant by just pulling out a good bit of the sphag, hopefully loosening it up so the roots can get some air? I think this will be less stressful than a completely new media, but help unpack the roots? Thoughts?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 10-06-2009, 03:27 PM

This is what I do now with plants that like to grow consistently moist.

I grow them in a mixture of 2 parts perlite or pumice with 1 part SuperSphag. So instead of the stringy moss, I use the loose leaf.

That way I provide the moisture, the air circulation, and don't damage roots when I repot. This mixture also doesn't have too much of a chance to compact as much as straight up New Zealand sphagnum moss strands do.

zxyqu · #3 10-06-2009, 03:31 PM

Well I'd love to switch them into something new, pref. S/H as I like what its done for the most part, but I dont want to do a repot until the plant is ready. That's why I was hoping to just loosen up the sphag by digging some out. I guess I could just throw in some LECA, but dont know how the plant would take it. Do you think loosening the sphag would act like a repot and stress the plant?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 10-06-2009, 03:40 PM

I think the plant will be fine if you loosen up the sphag. I don't think anything drastic will happen.

zxyqu · #5 10-06-2009, 03:43 PM

Thanks for the help King. Question on the loose leaf spahg you were speaking of. Does it hold as much water as sphag, and does it dry out quicker? This is why I hate sphag in general because I'll find it's wet 1 week after it's last water.

slipperfreak · #6 10-06-2009, 04:13 PM

I agree with King that loosening the sphag shouldn't do any harm.

What type of orchid is this exactly?

zxyqu · #7 10-06-2009, 04:14 PM

Both are phals

slipperfreak · #8 10-06-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxyqu

Both are phals

Okay. Well, Phals do very well in sphag as long as they dry out between waterings. Loosening it is probably a good idea though, if it is packed pretty tight. I have never grown Phals in s/h and don't know anyone who has, so I can't help you there.