Scared of termites

[pinkchris2000]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and to orchids in general. Maybe this question will sound stupid but I am scared. I was reading somewhere on internet that termites can live in bark. Can somebody tell me what to do and how to prevent them? My house is all made of wood and I can't afford to have termites. Thank you for patience.

PS I am using "Better Gro. Phalaenopsis mix."

Christina

[neb]

and to the board

There are no stupid questions from someone seeking knowledge. You have nothing to worry about termites unless your pot is sitting in direct contact with the ground and there are termites in around there.

[neb]

I guess I should add that you should not worry about it unless you see termites in the bag of media when you are poting the plant

[pinkchris2000]

Thank you for your reply. That's really ease my mind down.

[Paul Mc]

Out of curiousity, what are the orchids you have and what does the package list as the contents of the medium you are using?

I'm asking because if Better Gro mix is anything like Miracle Gro's, then it may not be suitable depending upon the orchid you have.

Most orchids like to be have their roots breath - which means the medium should not be heavy or dirt like. It should have spaces in it for air to get in and flow. Miracle Gro's looks like light/fine dirt with chunks of other stuff thrown in. This sort of mix is only good when growing terrestrial orchids. Most orchids are not terrestrial and these types of mixes are too heavy for them.

[johnblagg]

you can also grow orchids in other medium such as hydrotron .....no worry at all there

[neb]

I have used the Better Gro mix and not had any problems other than it dose breakdown quicker than what I have used from Oak Hill Gardens and rePotme but if you add more perlite to the mix it keeps it open for longer