Phal potting mix questions/ watering questions

[kindrag23]

Hello,

I was looking for a good potting mix for my phal orchids. I ordered some small ones from Carter and Holmes. They are in wonderful condition and thriving. I found this mix that is supposedly endorsed by the American Orchid Society, wanting to make sure that I am not putting my new little guys in a worthless potting mix. The brand is "Better-Gro" and it states it is for Phal orchids specifically. Does anybody know anything about this company?

Also I live in Texas and it has been getting really warm around here. It feels like I am watering my orchids every other day because they are drying out so quickly. Is this okay or should I remove them from the window sills that they are sitting in. They get a lot of early morning and late afternoon sun if that helps at all.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The company itself is reputable.

It's not the company that should be looked at, it's what's inside that bag.

Since I can't see the contents of the bag, I can't tell you what I think.

Watering certain types of orchids more often during the warmer months is to be expected. Think about where they come from.

[kindrag23]

Western raw fir bark, hardwood charcoal, chunky peat moss, and coarse perlite are what the ingredients show. It looks like its a really good mix, the pieces are of a larger size than that of the miracle gro for phal's that I used when I first started growing orchids. I did not realize that the bag on the front did not show ingredients.

[kindrag23]

Good point about the watering. I did not think of that, but this is the first season that I have had them in the summer. So did not want to kill them with over and under watering. Also is this to much light for my phal's? My Cattleya seems to really enjoy it and is thriving in it. In the picture is my two phal orchids and my one vanilla vine orchid. This is when the sun is setting.

[Chris35rt]

I have two growing in that mix and they are growing well, I do how ever find it drys out fairly quick also. Last month i repotted some that I had got during a visit to carter and Holmes but this time I used phalaenopsis gold classic mix from repotme and that really seems to retain moisture really well. And I'm growing under lights.

[kindrag23]

I felt like it might do that and thus far it has been, especially with the temps reaching over 100 we have been having. I will look into that mix when it comes time to re pot.

[DweamGoiL]

I use this mix for my Phals. It is really important to choose the right pot size. I once overpotted a mini phal and the mix stayed really moist in the center, but looked dry on the outside. I had to put it in a smaller pot and now it's doing well. The mix is a good one.

[kindrag23]

Oh they are all in the proper pots. I made that mistake once and killed my 1st two. They are in orchid pots now. With lots of drain ports to make sure I don't make that mistake twice.
That actually got me thinking about something else just now.

My teacup orchid lower roots all died, but it has really great looking upper roots and new baby roots growing all on top of the soil.... I have been fighting tooth and nail to make sure it survives since I found it at a walmart in February and would hate to see it die.

[Optimist]

Hi Kindrag23

I am in New Mexico near the Texas Panhandle (Herford is close). I have exactly the same potting mix. I have orchid pots with lots of holes too and found that the orchid roots were drying out too soon. I would water, and a day later they would be totally desiccated. I do not know if this is the right answer, but I feel that since this is such low humidity here, putting them in a clear plastic pot with slits or holes might be better for the roots. Even in the clear plastic pot they dry out in 4-5 days. Since mine are not blooming any more, I have taken them out of their fancy ceramic pots and just set them on a low light window frame so the roots can get some light. I want to see some root growth before I totally trust myself with this method.

I have also read that sphag moss may be used in low humidity places as it takes longer to dry out. I suppose this is just as a top dressing.

I am an absolute beginner and have killed about 5 orchids to date, so consider this advice an opinion or suggestion only.

[kindrag23]

I have mine in tera cotta pots, with the holes that are on the side. I am able to water them about every two days. Other wise they seem to be really happy with it. I also have them in a window sill that gets lots of sun when the sun goes down. It seems like a better mix then what I did have them in. So hopefully they will continue doing well we shall see.