Styrofoam when repotting?

[smartie2000]

I should also mention that you should make sure that the styrofoam you may use is true styrofoam. Sometimes packing styrofoam is made from starch which dissolves in water (these are the environmentally friendly ones) and you may end up with a mess.

It's a good idea to use stryofoam for plants in bigger pots to help them dry faster, especially for plants like cattleyas which can't be continuously moist or they rot

[neicypiecy]

I thought that if you add the styrofoam peanuts in the bottom, it helps with drainage, but you'll also use a lot less potting medium? I don't want to be cheap, but thought it would be OK.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by neicypiecy

I thought that if you add the styrofoam peanuts in the bottom, it helps with drainage, but you'll also use a lot less potting medium? I don't want to be cheap, but thought it would be OK.

While "OK" it might not make that much sense. The medium is not expensive. The area occupied by roots will be the medium plus the peanuts, so why not just use peanuts only?

[justatypn]

I use cut up styrofoam peanuts in the boottom of my orchids. They are cut up into smaller pieces and placed over the drain wholes for better drainage. A regimen I have used for years when repotting plants of any kind. Shadow :Tup excellent rule of thumb

big enough to accomodate all roots without breaking

Pot choices if I may add...clear plastic, phals are extremely noisy and love to either explore the world around them via above the medium/rim of the pot or by sending roots to the sides of a clear pots.

[CodiMN]

FirstTimer,
When you repot, also make sure the roots are healthy. I cut out any rotten roots when I "adopt" a new plant. I find that they sometimes overwater at those stores, and if there's moss...the roots just get gross! Good luck!
--Carolyn

[Helen]

Many thanks to everyone. Good info regarding styrofoam and size of pots. I'm lucky to have all of you answering my questions.
Helen