media for infrequent watering

[burz]

I just purchased a mini Phaleantopsis to try my hand in orchid growing. I'm trying to figure out what type of media to use. Sometimes I'm away from home for 2-3 days.

I have experience growing other types of plants, but am slightly intimidated by orchids, succulents , and house plants, and from I'm reading I shouldn't be.

I was interested in s/h because I have some hydroton to spare. Was kind of thinking when I'm away I could set up like a propagation tray with water in the tray and a pot with my mini Phal's roots above the water with humidity dome. And I also have heated propagation mats.

I've done some reading before I posted this question. But like anything else there are a million different answers. I hope to have success so I can make the inside of my home alive with orchids, house plants and succulents.

Thanks for any feedback

[AGibson001]

Orchids are the most species rich family of flowering plants on Earth, and since they occupy a wide range of habitats, their culture is best understood at the species level. The parameters for orchid culture center mainly on humidity, light, nutrients, water/water quality, and medium (might be forgetting something . Medium is often the most discussed parameter; however, most orchids are not too finicky about their medium as long as the other conditions are met.

Phals are by far the most popular orchid because they are easy to grow indoors (windowsill light is fine, ambient humidity is fine) and are tolerant of abuse (i.e. forgetting to water for a 8-10 days at a time)

Practically any orchid can be grown using the straightforward S/H method. Also, sphagnum moss is a good medium for phals, provided it is not packed too tightly (I mix in about 10% medium charcoal and 15% medium fir bark to help prevent it from being compacted). These species are epiphytic in situ, so the roots are not meant to be buried in medium, but rather are designed to be exposed to air.

In general, orchids can be easy to grow, provided you know what type of habitat the species you have is adapted to in nature and your able to at least crudely recreate those conditions at home. Learn about your plant and understand its needs, do your best to meet them and you should have success.

In my opinion succulents are among the easiest plants to care for. They store water in their leaves (just like phals!) so they are tolerant of looong periods of drought.

[WhiteRabbit]

Even when potted in fir bark, I can usually go at least 3-4 days without watering, even in summer. That is if the bark is extremely fresh (can take a few weeks before the bark retains moisture well), and it isn't quite hot dry weather, or very small plants during warm weather.

Plastic pots retain moisture longer than clay. Sphagnum moss is very moisture retentive (need to be careful to not over water), needs to be replaced more frequently than other media. Coconut husk chips or fiber retain moisture well, breaks down slowly - I have not had success with Phals in this medium; I don't know why, as I know that others can grow Phals in it. I have heard mixed comments about s/h and Phals... I haven't gone that route, tho many others have, and hopefully will add their opinions.

Good luck!

[Phal grower]

I've tried a few different media but I have to go with sphagnum moss. I have a few of my phals in S/H but you have to keep the humidity up or the top will dry out. Moss works well for me under dryer conditions as well as humid.

[james mickelso]

I live at the beach in SoCal where the humidity is normally around 40-60% all the time. 55-70* temps. Right now it is 45 at night and 60 during the day. I grow in bark/charcol/spongerock. My phals grow very well. I water now about every 7-10 days and all are spiking. In summer I water every 5-7 days. They grow very well in many different climates and environments. The greatest sin in growing most orchids is overwatering. Or potting in a media that stays too wet. They usually rot long before they get dry. Just look at the threads here that tell of phals that lose roots and die. Most of them are from overwatering and potting in spagnum moss. The spag isn't the problem. It's the overwatering. Read the thread about phal abuse at the top of this list. You'll do fine.

[camille1585]

2-3 days isn't that long without water, and for most media the plant will hardly be dry in that time, unless it's in during hot summer weather. I can safely leave the orchids alone for 2 weeks, even during summer and they are fine when I return, just a bit thirsty! Smaller orchids like your mini Phal easily last a week.

What medium to use depends a lot on the climate you are in. For me sphagnum doesn't work because my climate is cool and humid, and summers rarely get hot. So I use a mix of bark with a bit of chopped sphag. In hot dry climates though sphag tends to work because it dries out faster.

If you go the S/H route though, heat mats are good in the winter, Phals don't do well in S?H when their roots are too cool. No need for a humidity dome, setting the pot in a container of water is good enough when you're gone for an extended period. And the trouble with humidity domes is that there is no air movement, so a risk of rot.

[burz]

Thanks everyone

Sooo now I have two mini phals and a regular large phal; one mini in two types of expanded clay pellets(floaters and sinkers), second mini in sphagnum moss and the larger one in bark.

Figure I'll just see which media suits my needs and roll with it on all of them when the time comes if necessary.

Now with all my other plants inside and out get pounded with beneficial bacteria, microbes and enzymes. Also a organic vitamin b supplement. Can I utilize these things with my orchids too? I plan on fertilizing with organic teas like the rest of my roses,flowers and veggies.

Also I've not seen anything about a desired PH level for Phalaenopsis. Anyone care to enlighten me?

Lots of great stuff on these forums. Good for a noob and seems like there is plenty of advanced knowledge here as well, once I take this infatuation too far:/ it will be useful and not so far over my head I think.

Thanks again