What is the best planting medium / mix for Orchids?

[johnteller8]

Greetings:
I have been an orchid enthusiast for about 10 years. My late Aunt had an excellent collection of all kinds of Orchids, and after she passed a couple years back, I decided to start growing orchids on my own in her loving memory.

Question i now have for you folks is this;
What is the best planting medium / planting mix for orchids?
Rather than mix my own, I am looking for a complete mix that I can simply purchase. My Aunt used to get "Buckhead Orchid Mix", but i can not seem to find it or get any information. Has anyone heard of "Buckhead Orchid Mix", or can anyone reccomend a complete orchid planting medium?

thanks in advance.

[SlipperGirl]

Welcome to OB

What kind of orchids do you grow?

[tucker85]

Welcome to Orchid Board! I've never heard of Buckhead Orchid Mix. There are many orchid supply companies that sell all purpose orchid mixes or mixes made specifically for certain types of orchids. Repotme.com is one that I've used but there are many more. You can also find orchid mixes at big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes.

Orchid Supplies from rePotme.com - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer

[clusty]

Originally Posted by johnteller8

Greetings:
I have been an orchid enthusiast for about 10 years. My late Aunt had an excellent collection of all kinds of Orchids, and after she passed a couple years back, I decided to start growing orchids on my own in her loving memory.

Question i now have for you folks is this;
What is the best planting medium / planting mix for orchids?
Rather than mix my own, I am looking for a complete mix that I can simply purchase. My Aunt used to get "Buckhead Orchid Mix", but i can not seem to find it or get any information. Has anyone heard of "Buckhead Orchid Mix", or can anyone reccomend a complete orchid planting medium?

thanks in advance.

From my research this is a real hard questions and it depends on a tons of factors:
*how much water does the orchid love (how prone is it to rotting)
*how often are you willing to water
*how often are you willing to repot orchid (some mediums decompose faster than others)

I personally prefere bark mixes different sizes for different orchids. I loathe moss for example since it gets acidic and when it breaks down, it forms clumps killing all the roots.

I am sure more experience people will have an opinion that is more worthwhile

[jeremyinsf]

Originally Posted by tucker85

Welcome to Orchid Board! I've never heard of Buckhead Orchid Mix. There are many orchid supply companies that sell all purpose orchid mixes or mixes made specifically for certain types of orchids. Repotme.com is one that I've used but there are many more. You can also find orchid mixes at big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes.

Orchid Supplies from rePotme.com - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer

Hi there - would you mind telling more about your experiences with repotme? They seem pricey but they do have a great selection. I've used the "special orchid mix" by Better-Gro, from Lowes. Do you think the mixes at repotme are different and better enough to justify the cost? Thanks!

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by jeremyinsf

Hi there - would you mind telling more about your experiences with repotme? They seem pricey but they do have a great selection. I've used the "special orchid mix" by Better-Gro, from Lowes. Do you think the mixes at repotme are different and better enough to justify the cost? Thanks!

I have used repotme I like them but I like making my own potting mixes now, but still a great place

[johnteller8]

Wow- thanks for the quick responses!
I'll be trying to grow 2 types to start.
Grass Pink orchid & Florida dancing lady orchid

Thanks again

[clusty]

I preparing my first order with them.
Undecided still because of their shipping fee to Canada of about 45$ for a bunch of pots. I find it a bit steep

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by johnteller8

Wow- thanks for the quick responses!
I'll be trying to grow 2 types to start.
Grass Pink orchid & Florida dancing lady orchid

Thanks again

a dancing lady I have been wanting one of those but I always seem to find something I just have to have

[johnteller8]

Thanks all-

I appreciate all the advice.
While I am researching the factors, what do you think about co co coir based mixes? Are there pros and cons when using coir ( made from coconut husks ) for growing orchids? Supposedley stays ph nuetral....
what are your thoughts?