Potting Medium

[eager2learn]

I have a phalaenopsis that came under my care.

It was two phals, each in their pot, in one giant pot.

I did brief research on orchid care and quickly learned about the ways orchids are potted densely so I quickly took mine out and broke my potting medium apart, there was brown stuff, and it stunk. I ripped off all roots that looked rotted and spread the roots apart.

One orchid's leaves were all rotted and it all fell off, the other orchid's leaves were green and strong, although the smaller of the three is starting to yellow.

I threw all the excess stuff and kept what looked like moss and repotted it with the same moss that came with the orchid, it wasn't enough, some roots are still exposed and I've been constantly misting the roots and the moss, keeping it as damp and moist as possible.

I learned that sphagnum moss is the best stuff to use until I landed on these forums and realized there are far better options.

Now, shall I continue using moss, or should I switch to bark, or something else?

Do I use 100% of the potting medium or do I mix them up?

Furthermore, where is the best place, cost wise, to get potting mediums? My local home improvement store or online?

I'm excited.

Thank you for reading,

Eager2learn

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[wintergirl]

I like to use the "Better-Gro" orchid potting mix for phals. I get it at Lowes for $3.98. Use whatever works for you in your environment.

Shop BETTER-GRO Orchid Mix 4-Quart Organic Orchid Mix Soil at Lowes.com

[estación seca]

These are great reads:

The Phal abuse ends here.

Using skewers to determine when to water

[Ray]

Welcome aboard, "Eager".

The first few, basic generalities you should learn about orchid growing are that "one size does NOT fit all," there are many ways to "skin the cat," and that "what works for one person, may not work for you."

Before someone can give reasonable advice about growing your orchid, we need to know all about your growing conditions - temperatures, humidity, light levels, window-facing directions, and now much you want to "mess with" the plants, that is, do you want to water it frequently, or do you prefer to "admire it from afar" and only do minimal work to maintain it.

About the primary cultural "truism" that many beginners don't grasp is that while the plants like moisture, even more important is allowing air to get to the root system. The rotted roots you saw were likely due to them being suffocated by too dense of a potting medium, that became saturated when watered.

[eager2learn]

Originally Posted by Ray

Welcome aboard, "Eager".

Thank you, Ray.

Originally Posted by Ray

The first few, basic generalities you should learn about orchid growing are that "what works for one person, may not work for you."

Hm...interesting, I'll keep this in mind as I am learning, thank you.

Originally Posted by Ray

Before someone can give reasonable advice about growing your orchid, we need to know all about your growing conditions

[Temperature]
I live in Northern California climate specifically in the valley--90's-100's in the summer and low 50's in the winter.

A/C is set at 80 degrees in summertime and my home can get as warm as 90 degrees max.

Thermostat is set at 69-72 degrees in Wintertime.

[Humidity]
According to:
[https://www.currentresults.com/Weath...ty-annual.php]
my area gets 45-77 percent humidity, currently it is at 37% at 10:10 A.M.
My phal is situated in my bathroom with natural lighting so it may be more humid than normal. Window opens and closes so I can control humidity.

[Light Levels]
Shady.

[Window-Facing Directions]
Window is facing north, open to the east rising sun.
See attatchment.

[How Much You Want 2 "Mess With" The Plants[
Hmmm, as much as needed to grow luscious plants that blossoms beautifully and bountifully every year--but, since I am a beginner, I would prefer to be less "hands on" so I don't overkill my plants by feeding it fertilizer straight from the bottle, literally.

Originally Posted by Ray

About the primary cultural "truism" that many beginners don't grasp is that while the plants like moisture, even more important is allowing air to get to the root system. The rotted roots you saw were likely due to them being suffocated by too dense of a potting medium, that became saturated when watered.

Yes, I read about this, I am trying to figure out the middle ground between how much potting medium to pack in to retain moisture whilst not suffocating/drowning the roots.

Originally Posted by estación seca

These are great reads:

community/beginner-discussion/44792-phal-abuse

community/beginner-discussion/81484-using-skewers-determine-water

Yes, I have read those and in the process of digesting the materials, thank you.

Originally Posted by wintergirl

I like to use the "Better-Gro" orchid potting mix for phals. I get it at Lowes for $3.98. Use whatever works for you in your environment.

That is just right for my budget! Thank you!

Thanks for the replies everybody

Attachments:
1. Phal Brown Tips: The Browning Tips Of My Phal, I'm thinking about snipping them off with some scissors or razor blades.

2. Phal Pot: The phal in the front lost all of its leaves but still has some strong roots (exposed). I've been constantly spraying them trying to keep them moist and drenched. Since they aren't covered in moss, I figured they couldn't drown or suffocate no matter how much I spritz them with water. The top phal's smaller leaf is yellowing. I've been misting the leaves as suggested by another website but I found out on this forum that this can cause crown rot. Oh no. (Forgive the mess, I've just re-potted.

3. Phal Window: The north facing window of my bathroom enclosure. To the left is the rising sun to the east.

4. Phal Whole: My phalaenopsis in all its glory.

I am thinking of cutting the bigger one's spike back to the stem because a lot of its roots were lost to root rot and I don't think it'll be enough to sustain the next flowering cycle. Penny for your thoughts?

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by eager2learn

...Yes, I have read those and in the process of digesting the materials, thank you....

...I've been constantly spraying them trying to keep them moist and drenched. Since they aren't covered in moss, I figured they couldn't drown or suffocate no matter how much I spritz them with water

Keep reading. You do not want to be spraying the leaves of any phal constantly. That puts them at risk for fungal infection. You don't want potted roots to stay moist. That will definitely and/or suffocate them. Reread the skewer thread. You actually do want your medium to completely dry out between waterings. Wet medium is the cause of the vast majority of Phal deaths.

Originally Posted by eager2learn

...I am thinking of cutting the bigger one's spike back to the stem because a lot of its roots were lost to root rot and I don't think it'll be enough to sustain the next flowering cycle....

I agree. Sacrifice the flowers now so the plant has a better chance of making flowers again.

[Dri312]

I feel ur pain my friend! Dealing with orchids is challenging. It's too many factor (light, humidity, medium, watering...!) that influence the results. Plus, when they aren't happy, they sure show us right the way (leaves falling overnight for example). But, to grow one little bump, takes FOREVER!! It's a patience game.
We pretty much live in the same conditions. I got a humidifier to help with the dry air, specially in the summer (check the app OfferUp in ur area. It's like a Craigslist where u can find used item for cheap. Mine I got from there, brand new, for $15 when retails for $75). Also, I would suggest you get a humidity reader ($8 at Walmart). At least, the guess game ends there.
The wood skewer helps a lot! I remove it daily and place on my lips to feel if it's moist, cold or totally dry out. I hope I'm doing the right thing with my babies, based on the knowledge I learned on this board. I believe you are in the right track. And I wish you the best outcome for ur Phals.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Poohbie]

I am thinking of cutting the bigger one's spike back to the stem because a lot of its roots were lost to root rot and I don't think it'll be enough to sustain the next flowering cycle. Penny for your thoughts? [/QUOTE]


I don't think it's safe to cut to the stem in case it gets infected. I only cut to the last node so if it gets infected I can still cut more. Also I apply cinnamon to the cut to help it dry faster.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by estación seca

You actually do want your medium to completely dry out between waterings. Wet medium is the cause of the vast majority of Phal deaths.

I have to totally disagree with that. "Wet medium" is not the issue; water trapped between the medium particles, thereby cutting off the airflow pathways and suffocating the roots, is the issue.

Look into the natural habitats of many orchids, and you will find that many, many of them live where daily rainfall and high humidity are the rule, so being wet is obviously not the issue. If it was, they'd all be extinct!

Now, I will agree that moving a plant from a very dry culture to a constantly wet one will be an issue, as the plant's roots will need to be replaced for the new environment, but the same is true if you move it from a wet environment to a drier one.

I have plants that have been in a constantly wet medium for 20 years in semi-hydroponics, where the LECA medium prevents the trapping of interstitial water, so suffocation is prevented.

[eager2learn]

Hey all,

I wanted to make this post yesterday but for some reason the forum wouldn't allow it, maybe its because I am a new member.

Well, here goes:
(When can I start posting links/pictures?)

Yesterday, I took everything you gals & gents taught me and I ran with it to my local home improvement store and bought a bag of Coarse Orchid Mix (mostly bark). Went home and did my thing. I felt like time was not on my side the whole time, I was rushing because I knew my phals were dying. Is this how you all felt when you first bought your orchids from a department store and realized the way they packed the orchids was detrimental to their health?

Well, what follows was the result of my journey chronicled on imgur:
(I can't post links/pictures so replace the (dot) with a real "." please. I really want to share my work! Thanks!)

imgur(dot)com/a/mUSfJ

I plan on letting them dry out a bit before their first watering so their wounds can cauterize themselves and then keeping them as moist as possible, whenever my skewer starts drying out.

As far as fertilizer, can I mix my compost with water and water my orchids with that mix or is their an exact N-P-K ratio I need to use so my orchids won't fertilizer burn to death?

Advice? Suggestions? Criticism? I accept all. Thank you for looking!

Originally Posted by Dri312

But, to grow one little bump, takes FOREVER!! It's a patience game.

Does it really? Must be rewarding to finally see your orchid grow! I can't wait!

Originally Posted by Dri312

(check the app OfferUp in ur area. It's like a Craigslist where u can find used item for cheap. Mine I got from there, brand new, for $15 when retails for $75). Also, I would suggest you get a humidity reader ($8 at Walmart). .

The wood skewer helps a lot!

I wish you the best outcome for ur Phals.

Thank you for the helpful tips Dri312, I wish you the same for your orchids!

Originally Posted by Poohbie

I only cut to the last node so if it gets infected I can still cut more. Also I apply cinnamon to the cut to help it dry faster.

Good tip. I wish I read it sooner! Thank you Poohbie!

Originally Posted by Ray

"Wet medium" is not the issue; water trapped between the medium particles, thereby cutting off the airflow pathways and suffocating the roots, is the issue.

Look into the natural habitats of many orchids, and you will find that many, many of them live where daily rainfall and high humidity are the rule, so being wet is obviously not the issue. If it was, they'd all be extinct!

Now, I will agree that moving a plant from a very dry culture to a constantly wet one will be an issue, as the plant's roots will need to be replaced for the new environment, but the same is true if you move it from a wet environment to a drier one.

I have plants that have been in a constantly wet medium for 20 years in semi-hydroponics, where the LECA medium prevents the trapping of interstitial water, so suffocation is prevented.

Interesting, thank you Ray.

May I ask you:
1. What medium is best for growing luscious green leaves and bountiful flowers?
2. What medium is best for less frequent watering cycles?
3. What medium is best for less frequent repotting?

Thank you for your advice, Ray!