Macodes petola medium?? - Orchid Board

Vanessa · #1 09-23-2007, 02:55 PM

What medium do I pot my Jewel orchids in? They are in Sphag but I want to use something else. I have one outside in Aussie gold and it is doing fine but I don't want to buy anymore of it for just these small plants.

Oh and how the leaves sparkle in the light!

Lagoon · #2 09-23-2007, 06:37 PM

Why do you want to change the media, is it not doing well?
I keep jewels in pro-mix, peat based - It's easy!

Vanessa · #3 09-23-2007, 06:43 PM

Thanks Gloria. The one in the Aussie looks much better. I welcome all opinions from folks who grow these little gals.

cb977 · #4 09-23-2007, 07:45 PM

I have mine in some African Violet mix with extra peat and small charcoal added in. It's doing great

I took a small cutting of the plant to put in my new tank also. This is sitting in the straight aliflor filling the bottom of the tank and is also doing very well.

Seems to me that this is a hardy little orchid

quiltergal · #5 09-23-2007, 08:21 PM

My son is growing his Macodes petola in s/h, and it's doing great. I was sceptical at first because it looks so delicate. It's growing new leaves like crazy.

Vanessa · #6 09-24-2007, 02:40 PM

Thanks Sue and Terri. Good options as well.

yoliejr · #7 12-07-2013, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltergal

My son is growing his Macodes petola in s/h, and it's doing great. I was sceptical at first because it looks so delicate. It's growing new leaves like crazy.

i really appreciate these older boards. One question though, what medium is "s/h". Sorry newbie here...

Tabbyblack13 · #8 12-07-2013, 01:11 AM

S/h is semi- hydroponic. There is an entire section devoted to it.

It's basically using a clay pellet "soil" in a pot with holes in it side about 1 inch up from the bottom. This creates a water reserve and the pellets wick the water up towards the roots. This allows for constant humidity and air flow for the orchid.

Check out the section and also visit ray's s/h website for more detailed info.

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yoliejr · #9 12-07-2013, 01:37 AM

ahhh thx! Four wks after I decided to join my two former separate petolas into one, they both fell sick? Also, I changed the medium from sphag to african violet soil/perlite/rock mix back to sphag. Was it too much too soon?

Is it a coincidence that they both fell sick but one seems to have a new leaf and root emerging? BTW thank sooooo much for the orig question!

Paul · #10 12-07-2013, 01:37 PM

IME, Macodes petola is a bit of a prima donna -- will do great if conditions are spot on, will have a hissy cow and croak fast if something is off. It seems to be one of the more demanding jewels -- being pickier about humidity (it wants it fairly high) and does not bounce back well if allowed to dry out.