Coelogyne: Am I doing it right?

[SilverShaded]

Keith, i bought some of ebay recently sold for orchids that was very high ec. Regardless of who it came from i wouldn't reccomend using it without testing.

[ALToronto]

Originally Posted by Masdyman

Hello, Can you elaborate on this quote? and what are you basing this quote on?

CHC have a high CEC - cation exchange capacity. This means that they hang onto metal (positive) ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium, etc. For the first few months the plants will seem to do great, then they can decline rapidly. Still, some people swear by CHC - I don't know what they're doing differently from me.

[Masdyman]

I don't think this would have any impact within 18 months, it hasn't with me. I have noticed a decline in some after that but after looking at the ,CHC it had broken down.
Silver, the CHC that Ray Creek sells has a low EC and I wouldn't have any problems not even washing it. But I do just the once with RO just to hydrate and rinse, I also add a little calcium and Epsom. Then I squeeze out excess water ready for using. I haven't yet but I will be looking at new media and mixes that I have readily available, being cheaper for me.
Silver, is the product called Ecoco?

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[SilverShaded]

Keith, i have tried that one and some others in the past. Havent tried recently and maybe they've improved.

I'm surprised you find coir breaking down so quickly.

---------- Post added at 12:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Masdyman

I haven't yet but I will be looking at new media and mixes that I have readily available, being cheaper for me.

Have you tried perlite/perlite mixes? Cheap and doesnt breakdown.

[Masdyman]

I have tried bark/perlite mixes. The only problem with a lot of perlite use is the mess if the pot tips over! And it sometimes washes out of the mix. I wanted to simplify things and some ingredients were getting problematic to get hold of at that time, so I went for Ray Creeks husk and it has done well for my Massies. I am going to try one in rockwool cubes and perlite I think. Or fine bark/perlite.
Regards

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[SilverShaded]

100% perlite works well with many orchds (if you dont knock it out of the pot).

[ALToronto]

Lava rock is just as airy as perlite, but heavy enough to hold the plants.

[Masdyman]

I sell a clay pebbles that are of irregular shape like the stuff used for semi hydro culture, I could try these but I have never used them with a mix before, how would you use them? Rockwool cubes and rock may work well together as they are both inorganic so won't break down like other mixes, don't know in what quantities. Both are also worth trying on their own I think, think the pebbles would dry to quickly for Massies.

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[Masdyman]

Silver, the perlite would be also over the place, I am always knocking plants over!

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