Orchid Potting Material - Orchid Board

jayman8117 · #1 10-06-2009, 12:04 PM

When I first got started with orchids, not very long ago, I found out about bark, and I thought that was the best, so i bought a bag of it at a home store. I repotted all 3 orchids in bark and new plastic pots, I didn't like those little plastic things with the big slots on the side and bottom. I watered my orchids, the same as the other plants in our office, watered every week, that's it. Of course I since learned how to water orchids.
Last month, I attended "Orchids in the Park" in San Francisco, and I met this nice guy at Blossom Planting Supplies Inc. cPanel
so he showed me these cool tree fern pots they call 'Trunk Pocket'. The looked so natural, and so much better than those plastic pots. He said that the bottom is very pourous, so the water will drain after a soaking.
price was $15. each, buy 2 and get a big bag of this tree fern stuff that looked like fine kindling wood.
So, I got rid of all the bark, and used this tree fern stuff. I find my orchids are less wobbly with this than the bark.
So, I was wondering, if this tree fern kindling stuff is good for all orchids, or not, and which plants not to, and what would you recommend and why?
Going to repot my new Paph. Maudiae 'Napa Valley', and I wanted to make sure this tree fern stuff was ok to use.
Thanks for your help in advance.

OrchidSue · #2 10-06-2009, 01:17 PM

Tree fern is used for plants that need to have a very fast drying cycle. Tree fern does not hold much moisture. I used to use it when I grew Tolumnias years ago. I think it would not be the best for plants like Phals. and Paphs where more constant moistness is needed-that is unless you want to be constantly watering your plants. Paphs do better in fine to medium bark or a good "Paph mix". I have one Paph that came in a bark mix that looks like it has a little tree fern in it.

Susan

slipperfreak · #3 10-06-2009, 01:24 PM

I agree with Susan. Tree fern is sometimes used as a component in Paph mixes, but seldom is it used straight. Paphs always do well in a fine grade bark mix (medium grade for larger pots), and Phals do well in bark or sphagnum moss. There really are countless media choices for any plant; any material that gives you the conditions you want is useful. Different media will perform differently under different conditions, which vary according to each grower's situation. It is best to use a basic bark mix until you have grown long enough to get a real feel for your conditions.

Also, you will ideally want to have a larger number of plants, and experiment with the new medium on one of them to see how it does before converting all your plants, so you don't suffer big losses if it doesn't work out.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 10-06-2009, 02:24 PM

You're better off growing your Paph Maudiae 'Napa Valley' in 1 part pumice, 1 part limestone, and 1 part potting soil topped with leaf litter.

I looked into the parentage of the hybrid you owned. This is what I came up with...

These are the cultural information for the two parents that make up your hybrid.

Paph callosum:

Paph callosum

Paph lawrenceanum:

Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum - Orchids Wiki

If you want to use the tree fern pots, save them for growing Coryanthes.

slipperfreak · #5 10-06-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

You're better off growing your Paph Maudiae 'Napa Valley' in 1 part pumice, 1 part limestone, and 1 part potting soil topped with leaf litter.

I looked into the parentage of the hybrid you owned. This is what I came up with...

These are the cultural information for the two parents that make up your hybrid.

Paph callosum:

Paph callosum

Paph lawrenceanum:

Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum - Orchids Wiki

If you want to use the tree fern pots, save them for growing Coryanthes.

It was revealed in this thread, http://www.orchidboard.com/community...irst-paph.html, that the plant is not Paph. Maudiae, but a hybrid with a Maudiae-type as one of the parents (Makuli x superbiens var. curtisii). The other parent is likely a standard-complex, but the tag is difficult to read.

That's an interesting medium suggestion! It must be based on the parent's natural growing medium? Have you used it on your own plants, and if so, how does it work for you?

camille1585 · #6 10-06-2009, 03:38 PM

Tree fern is a very good medium, but I refuse to use any because most of it comes from non sustainable sources, ie, collected in the wild. Some tree fern species are now listed as endangered, and I refuse to contribute to their extinction just to grow orchids in it. There is some tree fern coming from plantations, but unfortunately I don't see many vendors listing the source of the material (over here in EU at least, don't know about the US or elsewhere). So I won't buy any unless I know where it's coming from!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 10-06-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

It was revealed in this thread, http://www.orchidboard.com/community...irst-paph.html, that the plant is not Paph. Maudiae, but a hybrid with a Maudiae-type as one of the parents (Makuli x superbiens var. curtisii). The other parent is likely a standard-complex, but the tag is difficult to read.

That's an interesting medium suggestion! It must be based on the parent's natural growing medium? Have you used it on your own plants, and if so, how does it work for you?

You're correct in assuming that I'm basing this potting mixture on what I think would be closer to where the orchid's parents would naturally grow.

I do use a potting medium that is limestone rocks with a light sphagnum moss top dressing and a light sprinkle of leaf litter on top for my one and only Paph niveum.

I don't currently own any other Paphs at the moment.

But the potting mix I used for Paph niveum works like a charm!

I posted pics of it in the Advanced Forum in a thread started by musicloveranthony. I believe it's called "Alternative potting mixes."

Check it out. I have before and after pics with a caption of the time frame between the two group of pics. I kinda wished that I busted out a ruler and put it next to the growing leaves as a better reference guide.

slipperfreak · #8 10-06-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

You're correct in assuming that I'm basing this potting mixture on what I think would be closer to where the orchid's parents would naturally grow.

I do use a potting medium that is limestone rocks with a light sphagnum moss top dressing and a light sprinkle of leaf litter on top for my one and only Paph niveum.

I don't currently own any other Paphs at the moment.

But the potting mix I used for Paph niveum works like a charm!

I posted pics of it in the Advanced Forum in a thread started by musicloveranthony. I believe it's called "Alternative potting mixes."

Check it out. I have before and after pics with a caption of the time frame between the two group of pics. I kinda wished that I busted out a ruler and put it next to the growing leaves as a better reference guide.

Very interesting findings. I will try this out on one of my plants. It will prove to be an interesting experiment for me in the near future!

jayman8117 · #9 10-06-2009, 07:59 PM

All I have is some medium bark and the tree fern stuff. I was thinking of using bark on the bottom of the pot, and tree fern debris for the rest.
will this do?

Lagoon · #10 10-06-2009, 08:26 PM

You're going to be watering a heck of alot in that mix, Jay. Just my personal opinion but I would take clear away from it. I just don't think its the right balance. Slippers really like a good moist potting mix. Drainage is important as for any orchid.

I like my mix smooth yet chunky with added drainage, I use peatmoss, bark and perlite - works very well for me.

Good luck in whatever you decide.