Foam in orchid pot?

[ccrow]

While repotting lately, I have found what appears to be floral foam in the medium. A couple of plants have had small chunks up in the middle near the stem, and a couple have had one big piece really stuck up in there, as though they had been growing in it. Is floral foam used in propagating, or getting plants established?

[PaphMadMan]

Yes, increasingly, big commercial growers are using floral foam as starter medium for seedlings, either directly out of flask or first step out of compots. This is especially common with imported plants because they can't enter many countries (including the US) if they are potted in anything resembling soil, including bark mix. Mini Phals especially may even get to blooming size with no other media. Rockwool blocks often used for hydroponics are also sometimes used.

[AnonYMouse]

I have found what I call "brownie plug" in orchid pots. They are found in hydroponic stores as starter plugs.

[TheJadeOrchid]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

I have found what I call "brownie plug" in orchid pots. They are found in hydroponic stores as starter plugs.

Yes! Exactly.

I recently got an Orchid that had one of those "brownie plug". Looking them up they are called Rapid Rooter or Super Plug Seed Starter Plugs.

I removed the one that came on my orchid. It was dry and crumbly.

[sruther4d]

When repotting, I recycle foam packing "peanuts" as a way to increase drainage. I use it with bark and moss. They work well and have no issues.

[dangerouseddy]

I usually use leca at the bottom of my pots since I bought a large bag and don't have much other use for it.

have to be careful with packing peanuts that they're not the water soluble type.

[Orchid Whisperer]

The water-soluble type are made of corn starch. Easy to spot by rinsing before using. If you rinse and they shrink or become slimy, discard.

[rbarata]

There are some videos in youtube with people using it to promote air circulation in the media.
It seems to be a good idea, it doesn't degrade nor absorb any water.

[bil]

Originally Posted by rbarata

There are some videos in youtube with people using it to promote air circulation in the media.
It seems to be a good idea, it doesn't degrade nor absorb any water.

I like just bark with plentyy of airspace precisely because it does absorb water, and thus a humid atmosphere for a while. Plus the openness of the bark allows for really fast drainage.