Substrate question - Orchid Board

Orchidmist · #1 11-17-2014, 10:24 PM

This is my first post.

I do not have any orchid mix at the moment and so I was wondering if I could use a mix meant for palms and succulents. It's similar to mulch and has bark and pearlite. P.S its for a Phalaenopsis

AnonYMouse · #2 11-17-2014, 10:48 PM

Welcome.

I would not use such a mix. I would rather it go bare root.

What is it currently in? Do you need to repot it now? Can it wait until you get some more appropriate media?

Orchidmist · #3 11-17-2014, 10:56 PM

The roots are turning black and yellow. I just bought it yesterday. It's in a cup that is WAY TOO SMALL. It's in moss and nothing else. I'm afraid if I don't repot tonight it won't make it.

RJSquirrel · #4 11-17-2014, 11:03 PM

welcome and if you need some spontaneous mix to work with..The Sun Bulb Better - Gro' Special' Orchid Mix is okey as it wont kill your plants and widely available from many Home Depot Lowes type retailers. Dont use the regular Orchid mix but the SPECIAL. It has more bark in it and less of the fragged moss.
Palms and succulent mix has sand in it. You dont need or want sand around most of your orchids. Terrestrial orchids may tolerate it but I dont think phals are going to like sand very much

Orchidmist · #5 11-17-2014, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

welcome and if you need some spontaneous mix to work with..The Sun Bulb Better - Gro' Special' Orchid Mix is okey as it wont kill your plants and widely available from many Home Depot Lowes type retailers. Dont use the regular Orchid mix but the SPECIAL. It has more bark in it and less of the fragged moss.
Palms and succulent mix has sand in it. You dont need or want sand around most of your orchids. Terrestrial orchids may tolerate it but I dont think phals are going to like sand very much

It's late at night and unfortunately lowes and homedepot is closed. The succulent potting mix that I was wondering about doesn't have sand in it. Just bark, mulch and pearlite. Will that be ok until tomorrow or the next day? Can I go bare?

AnonYMouse · #6 11-17-2014, 11:48 PM

Go bare root until you can get media you prefer. If you can't grow in sphag moss, you won't be able to grow in the palm/succulent media (its the mulch part that's worrisome). Its about balancing moisture and air. It's very easy to suffocate the roots in either.

If the roots are mushy, trim them with sterile blades. Yellow and some dark colored roots might be just discoloration, hard to tell from here. Let the roots dry. Depending on your humidity, dip the roots (and roots only) in tepid water every one to three days. Hang them in a dry vase or jar if your environment is arid.

In the meanwhile, if you are not very familiar with orchids, read The Phal abuse ends here thread.

Orchidmist · #7 11-18-2014, 12:01 AM

Thanks! I don't have much experience with orchids yet but I have done some research and hopefully I can save my little orchid!

Ray · #8 11-18-2014, 10:12 AM

It is likely that the roots are failing due to suffocation in its former pot. Don't be in a major rush, and just repot it in the first thing you think is reasonable.

Immerse the bare-root plant in warmish water a few times a day, and it will be just fine. In theory, you could actually stand it in an empty pot and grow it that way, but that's a LOT of work!

PaphMadMan · #9 11-18-2014, 10:25 AM

I agree, bare root is much better for a while than staying in a bad situation or temporary accommodation in a questionable mix. Set it in an empty pot and mist the roots a couple times a day.

Orchidmist · #10 11-18-2014, 12:19 PM

Ok! Will do!