Medium Question

[rwiskavitch]

I have been using the Miracle Grow potting medium (I am a newby to orchids) and recently picked up a bag of orchid bark which is more chunky than the Miracle Grow. I have read where you should repot after 6 months when using Miracle Grow. Should I just mix in the chunky bark with the Miracle Grow or should I buy some charcoal or other medium to the mix? I understand drainage is paramount so as I get more interested in growing orchids I am reading and seeking advice.

Thanks

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What kind of orchid are you growing?

It makes a big difference in the answer you will receive.

[grasshopper]

If you're growing phals or dendrobiums I would recommend using the bark medium and only the bark medium. I have not had good experience with the Miracle Grow orchid mix...it's too much like potting soil for my preference and watering habits. If you do go with the bark mix, you may have to increase your watering a bit. I typically water my inside orchids growing under the lights 2x a week. If they're outside in the spring/summer, I up it to 3x a week, possibly 4x if it's really hot.

Good luck!

[tucker85]

You can grow in straight bark. Everyone has a mix that they like best but there's nothing wrong with just bark. I would use a plastic pot with plenty of drainage holes. A clay pot with bark dries very quickly and would need to be watered quite often.

[camille1585]

From what I've read here over the years, the Miracle Grow stuff is really terrible for anything other than terrestrials, and maybe Cyms. Straight bark is fine (don't forget to soak it overnight first), but depending on your conditions, you may find that it dries out too quickly and need to add other ingredients to it.
With a good bark-only or bark based medium, repotting can be done every 2, or even 3 years.

[tucker85]

I'm sorry, I thought we were talking about phalaenopsis. My post was for phals. for orchids that want to dry out quickly like cattleyas you can use bark in a clay pot.

[rwiskavitch]

I have cattleyas a dendrobium and two unidentified orchids. Right now I have the dendrobium in the larger bark mixture. The cattleyas I have in the miracle grow medium but I have them potted in wooden baskets. The ones in baskets dry pretty quickly so I pushed a bit of moss in between the openings on the sides and it seems to be working well.......even with the Miracle Grow medium. I am pretty new to orchid growing but I see it becoming more than just an interest. I was reading where using cork in the medium really does well for orchids that like to dry out. I am learning so much I do not want to "over-do" my care.

[Exo]

I'm rather fond of the Miracle Grow orchid mix, but when allowed to dry, it becomes very difficult to rewet, so I find it works better for orchids that like to remain moist between waterings. I've grown Maxillaria, Epidendrum, Phalenopsis, Dendrobium, and Paphiopedium in it, and the only ones that hated it were the Dendrobium, they experienced some root loss from root suffocation.

[LouieP]

Hi im in annandale va, im new here too. I've been using moss on my phals and they like it so far.

[RJSquirrel]

man I saw medium question and I thought we was all gonna talk to the dead