Help with my Dend... a lot of problems?

[johnblagg]

I mix some gravel and bark and charcoal for dens a lot ....I have actually used straight gravel before they really do like the air circulation arond the roots and perfect drainage

[stefpix]

If you want to convince yourself that the Miracle Gro is ok you can do it but the roots will rot.
the old mix it came with looked fine. the Miracle Gro looks like regular soil.
Maybe you can buy some reed stem epidendrums, bletillas, spathoglottis, add some gravel and use that Miracle Gro mix and be happy!
Most dendrobiums grow on tree branches or rocks not in soil

[Donald]

The jury has reached a verdict. Miracle Gro for your Dendrobium is out. Save your plant.

[christinalkc]

Since I have trimmed off most of the roots, the whole orchid plant is pretty loose in that mix. So loose that it moves left and right when I move it. I have this stick that is supporting it. So I guess it is not tightly packed for now. It's sitting outside now, without the decorative pot. I hope it dries out fine...

Cheers...

Originally Posted by Donald

The problem with that mix is that it is to dense for dendrobiums and retains moisture for a long time. Dendrobiums do not like "wet feet". It may work out OK for some moisture loving orchids but not for yours. I guess you could mix in some perlite or even try packing peanuts...........the ones that don't melt in water. If you find that the mixture drys out in 5 to 7 days you might be OK. The roots should not be tightly packed in that mix.

[christinalkc]

Uh-oh.... Okay, I will get rid of the mix. I won't be able to go out until Friday but is there anything I can use to replace it at the meantime? Can I use like just charcoal? I have some Kingsford charcoal... not sure what kind of chemical is in the coal...

The old mix was just plain sphagnum moss that got a little too moist so I am not sure I want to use that again. I will go over to Lowe's to find the Better Gro mix you recommended.....

Thanks...

Cheers..

Originally Posted by stefpix

If you want to convince yourself that the Miracle Gro is ok you can do it but the roots will rot.
the old mix it came with looked fine. the Miracle Gro looks like regular soil.
Maybe you can buy some reed stem epidendrums, bletillas, spathoglottis, add some gravel and use that Miracle Gro mix and be happy!
Most dendrobiums grow on tree branches or rocks not in soil

[christinalkc]

Any kind of charcoal??

Cheers..

Originally Posted by johnblagg

I mix some gravel and bark and charcoal for dens a lot ....I have actually used straight gravel before they really do like the air circulation arond the roots and perfect drainage

[stefpix]

barbecue charcoal if you want to grill some hot dogs
horticultural charcoal if you want to use it as potting medium

google is you friend to find out this stuff

ace hardware
lowes
botanic garden stores
nurseries
ebay
online stores

you could probably even use some gravel from the pet store. gravel for aquariums.

something that is great I think best
is coconut husks.
my best dendrobium that i got from Lowes for a dollar grows in a chopped coconut husk.

you can get a coconut take the nut out
soak the husk. hack it into slices do you can fit it in the pot and tie the plant on it with wire.
wonder if new roots will grow.
at Trader Joes I see a lot of those generic hybrid hard cane Dendrobiums from Kerry's nurseries and the best looking ones are grown in coconut.
not even chips but chunks that look like a piece of soft wood.
Ikea plants if you dont get them asap they end up rotting because they are sealed, overwatered and in a dark spot. you can be lucky.
anyway if you are in southern florida and you have a yard maybe you could just put your dendrobium on a tree branch where attaches to another branch

[Norton]

I will also say gravel is an excellent media for Den Phals. My advice would be to try it in a small clay orchid pot. They have them at Lowes. Put a couple bigger rocks in the bottom to block the holes enough that the gravel does not fall out. When you water just dunk the pot in warm water for 5 minutes or so. You want the pseudobulbs (canes) to stay plump and not wrinkled. I water mine just about everyday and have tons of new roots and four new canes growing. At first you will have to stake the plant but once you get enough root growth you may be able to go without. Another thing to remember is these plants love light. Mine takes unshaded full sun in a south window with ease.

[christinalkc]

Gravel? Hmmm... I was searching on Lowe's website and found Pea Gravel... is that something I could use?

Cheers..

Originally Posted by Norton

I will also say gravel is an excellent media for Den Phals. My advice would be to try it in a small clay orchid pot. They have them at Lowes. Put a couple bigger rocks in the bottom to block the holes enough that the gravel does not fall out. When you water just dunk the pot in warm water for 5 minutes or so. You want the pseudobulbs (canes) to stay plump and not wrinkled. I water mine just about everyday and have tons of new roots and four new canes growing. At first you will have to stake the plant but once you get enough root growth you may be able to go without. Another thing to remember is these plants love light. Mine takes unshaded full sun in a south window with ease.

[christinalkc]

I come from Southeast Asia and I see most of the orchids there were potted in coconut husk and they looked great. I moved to the US recently so I am still trying to find where to find stuff like coconut husk. I don't recall seeing any place selling coconut here..

Okay, I looked through Lowe's website and I believe I need to get the Better Gro Special Orchid Mix?

Here is the search results LINK for Lowe's orchid potting mix.

And this is the LINK to the Better Gro product I mentioned above..

Sorry for the trouble.... I really want to make sure that I get the right mix for my beautiful orchid, after the horrible mistake I made.

Thank you so much!!

Cheers...

Originally Posted by stefpix

barbecue charcoal if you want to grill some hot dogs
horticultural charcoal if you want to use it as potting medium

google is you friend to find out this stuff

ace hardware
lowes
botanic garden stores
nurseries
ebay
online stores

you could probably even use some gravel from the pet store. gravel for aquariums.

something that is great I think best
is coconut husks.
my best dendrobium that i got from Lowes for a dollar grows in a chopped coconut husk.

you can get a coconut take the nut out
soak the husk. hack it into slices do you can fit it in the pot and tie the plant on it with wire.
wonder if new roots will grow.
at Trader Joes I see a lot of those generic hybrid hard cane Dendrobiums from Kerry's nurseries and the best looking ones are grown in coconut.
not even chips but chunks that look like a piece of soft wood.
Ikea plants if you dont get them asap they end up rotting because they are sealed, overwatered and in a dark spot. you can be lucky.
anyway if you are in southern florida and you have a yard maybe you could just put your dendrobium on a tree branch where attaches to another branch