Do any on the forum use Orchiata ?

[bethmarie]

Originally Posted by JScott

Haha, I tend to over water, so I love it! I can water every day in the summer time, and every two or three days in the winter (smaller pots, like 4 inches or less, can still get water every day in the winter), and the plants don't get over watered.

I have upwards of 50 plants, and I can just hose them all down in the summer, but when they're inside for the winter, it sometimes can be a lot to keep up with, but that's okay, because I just like watering, you know?

I've got well over 50, but i'm afraid counting them would lead to a break down. Maybe you live close enough you could come water mine when every week or so

[camille1585]

I found some Orchiata last year at a show, and got a large bag of it. I used to mix bark with a bit of sphag so it would hold more water, but since Orchiata is supposed to last longer, I figured that the sphag would sour before it was time to repot. So I use it pure, after a 15min soak in lukewarm water.

[WalkingHorse]

Originally Posted by Ray

I find it better to use the appropriate size for the plant and NOT add anything to it.

A word to the wise: Orchiata can be very hard to wet, initially. You do not want to soak it, as that extracts the dolomite used in the aging process. Instead, pour hot water over it - only enough to wet it with little runoff - then wait 15-30 minutes and repeat. That will "open up" the structure, allowing it to absorb better going forward. Once it has cooled, it's ready to use.

Ray when you say hot water how hot are we talking about? I bought two big bags of Orchiata a few weeks ago for my upcoming major repot extravaganza. Thanks so much!