Growing in pure sphagnum – I'm finding it's not so bad

[astrid]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

[...]

One thing I find interesting is that paphs will not develop as many roots in pure sphag, although they do really well in it otherwise.
I think it has to do with the fact that moss contain moisture longer than say bark.
Non orchid house plants do the same in the dirt.
If you water them good all the time, they develop less root mass. If you keep them a bit drier, then they tend to develop extensive root system in search of water.

Oh now THAT is something quite interesting! I suppose "spoiled" plants wouldn't feel a need to put out more effort if they're getting all that moisture just handed to them! Last time I had a peek at my paph roots, I saw some lovely growth tips, so there's at least small progress in the moss anyway!

I am starting to love moss. My schoolwork and ADHD combination lead me to forget to water (or simply not have the time) sometimes for a week, so having plants that aren't so water-needy is great for me. Sphagnum moss is awesome for that.

As for not checking the roots... after finding earwigs and other little nasties living in my pots, I always always check the roots ... at the latest after the plant is done blooming.
Thanks for the reply and interesting tidbit!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

One thing I find interesting is that paphs will not develop as many roots in pure sphag, although they do really well in it otherwise.
I think it has to do with the fact that moss contain moisture longer than say bark.
Non orchid house plants do the same in the dirt.
If you water them good all the time, they develop less root mass. If you keep them a bit drier, then they tend to develop extensive root system in search of water.

I like the idea, but don't think the "holds moisture longer" concept "holds water" (sorry - couldn't resist).

I say that because paphs and phrags grown in semi-hydroponics develop super-extensive root systems, and they never dry out at all. In fact, they almost immediately grow rots right into the reservoir.

[Fiacre]

It really is a personal preference/environmental thing. I've got a few ailing orchids that were nearly killed (by someone else) by over or under watering. The only way I've seen improvement is by moving them out of sphag and into a bark/charcoal/perlite mix. I live in an extremely humid environment, though, and even with a bark mix I can go a bit over a week without watering and not have any problems.

However, I'm glad that sphag is working for you, and that your orchids are thriving! Everyone needs to find the system that works for them and keeps their plants happy and healthy.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Fiacre

It really is a personal preference/environmental thing. Everyone needs to find the system that works for them and keeps their plants happy and healthy.

and herein lies the nub. You can use a wide range of media, provided your environment and watering PRECISELY matches each other.

Were it not for the fact that disturbing the roots on a regular basis is a bad thing, you could make a case for repotting them into different medias for each season, with a moisture retaining media for summer, a dry one for winter and an inbetween one for spring and autumn.
A bit like different duvet thicknesses for summer and winter.

Possibly the way round that is to pot with a media that suits the coldest, wettest time of the year, and up the watering for the hottest driest part. I can't imagine a media for all seasons that would enable you to water with the same frequency all year round.

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Non orchid house plants do the same in the dirt.
If you water them good all the time, they develop less root mass. If you keep them a bit drier, then they tend to develop extensive root system in search of water.

It depends on what non-orchid you are growing. Yes, there are some non-orchid plants that will tolerate all types of care and thrive or, at least, survive. Other plants don't mind a little inconsistency in care as long as the conditions are close. However, some non-orchids can never dry out completely or they will die...or at least drop all of their leaves (or perhaps die back to the roots/tubers/etc.). Others are very sensitive to staying wet/damp and their roots will rot quickly. It really depends on the adaptions the plants' ancestors have made to their native environments.

[RandomGemini]

I water when I think of it... Usually once every week or so. I grow indoors year round and I have found that moss works best for me too. I have repotted all of my Oncidiums into moss, with a few styrofoam packing peanuts in the center to keep things from getting too moist. My phals are all slowly being repotted into moss, except for the ones that are currently thriving in bark. My dens are in a 50/50 bark and moss mix. So is my only paph, my cattleya alliance plants are in straight bark.

I think it does depend on what you grow, how you grow it, and how much effort you are willing to put into it. I do still repot upon receiving a plant though. If they're potted in moss, they're almost always potted too tight.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by Fiacre

It really is a personal preference/environmental thing. I've got a few ailing orchids that were nearly killed (by someone else) by over or under watering. The only way I've seen improvement is by moving them out of sphag and into a bark/charcoal/perlite mix. I live in an extremely humid environment, though, and even with a bark mix I can go a bit over a week without watering and not have any problems.

However, I'm glad that sphag is working for you, and that your orchids are thriving! Everyone needs to find the system that works for them and keeps their plants happy and healthy.

Oh, are you a swamp dweller? Man, the southern US is muggy muggy! I would probably not have my plants in sphag if I were in your climate, either. <3

[pipsxlch]

Different strokes for different folks
A given media can work GREAT for someone and be a death sentence for someone else, depending on climate, watering habits, genera being grown...
I live in a hot, very humid climate and grow plants that like to dry out between waterings (mostly catt alliance and hardcane dens). They're all outside to boot, so have to deal with pretty much daily drenchings during the summer. Spag is pretty much a death sentence for me, I need stuff that drains and dries quickly without breaking down overnight.
However, I've recently tried Catasetinae (a Monn. Millenium Magic). Given its watering needs when growing and that I wasn't around to water all the time (why I don't have bulbos), I potted it in spag last year. It did well I think, the new growth was twice as big or more than the old one. Maybe I can give bulbos a try after all-after I see how my new Stanhopea does.

[RandomGemini]

I can hook you up regarding bulbos. I don't water daily. I have mine potted with a layer of hydroton, a layer of really fine bark, then a really thin layer of moss. This is potted in a plastic pot with lots of holes. I set this in a ceramic saucer that I just refill with water when it's empty. My bulbo loves this arrangement.

[Fiacre]

Originally Posted by astrid

Oh, are you a swamp dweller? Man, the southern US is muggy muggy! I would probably not have my plants in sphag if I were in your climate, either. <3

Tell me about it! I'm a transplant from a much dryer environment, so I'm still adjusting to that mugginess. My plants love it though, so I can't complain at all.