charcoal help!!!

[merihdedeler]

hi,
I read that paphiopedilums need charcoal in media. and end of month I am planning to buy some paphs. from thailand.
in the city I live, I can only find wood charcoal for barbeque
is it avaible to use in medias or what is the differences between horticultural and wood charcoal? or is it must to use charcoal for phaps?

[thakshila smith]

We use wood charcoal . You can burn some logs and water the fire. then comes charcoal. I must burn coconut shells and try to get charcoal.
Wash the cha several times before using .

[CTB]

Do not use bar-b-que charcoal, it is fatal to plants. I think it contains some type of chemical.

Look for fir bark to use. Paphs have hairy roots that like fir bark. Sometimes you have to order things on-line to get the correct product.

[kavanaru]

I am not sure about Turkey, but normally "BBQ Charcoal" is impregned with chemicals that help to burn it quicker! Therefore, keep the hand off of it!

Horticultural charcoal, can be found sometimes at garden center! it has nothing added and is just the burned wood (also burned without chemical)

as for Paphios... NO, it is not a must! Actually, you would find both people who say charcoal is helpful for orchids and people who would say it is not at all...

Depending on the Paphies you have, it would be advisable to add calcareous stone or crushed oyster shells (very well washed, to avoid the salts and the smell ) to the medium. check this link: Supplementing Calcicolous Paphs

[Paul Mc]

You can also find some good mixes at a reputable orchid companies online if you can't find the correct mix or medium to create your own mix.