Potting Media for Cyms???

[Don Perusse]

Attn: Oscarman - DAGS are a type of Cymbidium orchid. They are yellow/green with wht lip., pendulous type. Think they are warm tolerant as they do well for me here in SW Georgia. (Zone 8b) And thanks to our Jr. Member smweaver for you input. I repotted mine and trying a couple different mixes to see which does best. Thanks for all the replys!

[Lagoon]

Opps! Don don't go yet what type of media(s) did you choose??
I don't have any cyms yet but next month, I will I'm using this thread to learn, Thanks!

[Ray]

Sorry, but I've got to get on my soap box for a minute.

There is no "best" medium that will work for all plants under all conditions, so when inquiring about recommendations, it is best to include information about your growing conditions - windowsill/sunroom/greenhouse/outdoors, city/state/province/country, air conditioning/forced-air heating/evaporative cooler, etc. - and even something about your watering habits.

A windowsill grower who likes to "fiddle" with his plants in plastic pots an apartment in Vancouver will need an entirely different medium than will the outdoor grower who has the identical plants in clay pots in Atlanta.

I know in my own case, for example, that the fine formulation containing diatomite that H&R uses for their seedlings is fantastic in the marvelous solar-driven conditions in Hawaii, but is sure death in my greenhouse here in PA.

[Don Perusse]

Hey Lagoon, I agree with Ray that location, conditions, and individual care has a great influence on growing orchids or anything for that matter. That said, here in So. Georgia with high humidity, I used fine fir bark, perlite, and a little peat. I used what I had on hand.I think you can buy terrestrial mix that would work anywhere. I also used a some aliflor in bottom for drainage and some added weight to the pot. Good luck should you add to your collection.

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by Ray

Sorry, but I've got to get on my soap box for a minute.

There is no "best" medium that will work for all plants under all conditions, so when inquiring about recommendations, it is best to include information about your growing conditions - windowsill/sunroom/greenhouse/outdoors, city/state/province/country, air conditioning/forced-air heating/evaporative cooler, etc. - and even something about your watering habits.

A windowsill grower who likes to "fiddle" with his plants in plastic pots an apartment in Vancouver will need an entirely different medium than will the outdoor grower who has the identical plants in clay pots in Atlanta.

I know in my own case, for example, that the fine formulation containing diatomite that H&R uses for their seedlings is fantastic in the marvelous solar-driven conditions in Hawaii, but is sure death in my greenhouse here in PA.

Of course and no one would argue with that really. But the original question was about what we all use. And I figure that SW Georgia wouldn't be all that different to where I live in Australia so that similar potting mixes could be used.

Thanks Ray, you've highlighted something important that we all should be mindful of.

[Lagoon]

Thanks Don, I agree with Ray aswell ..... I feel it's really all about commen sence, we ALL have to study and learn our own conditions. Oddly enough I think many get the orchids before that. It's how it went for me anyways.
I enjoy learning about what others are doing and using, it helps me to learn about their conditions also, being the curious person that I am.

[Matthews]

I use sphagnum moss for my Cymbidium because I understand that they require constant moisture. I think?

[Bolero]

They don't need constant moisture like Pleuro's and they should be allowed to dry out a little.

They won't suffer much without water during periods of time but it depends how you grow them. If they are always warm then more moisture would be good as they are probably going to be more actively growing.

Having said that, if they're warm all the time and don't get the cooler winters then they may be harder to flower.

But I wouldn't have thought that sphagnum was a good option for them. How do you go with yours Matthews? Do they flower regularly and grow well? If so it works for you.

I don't think I could get away with using that here.

[tunachris]

In So. Cal. I use 100% coconut husk chunks. It works well here due to the hot dry weather we have in summer. I have also heard it helps to bring down the Ph of my water, which is Colorado River water, and very hard. CHC is nice because it retains moisture without becoming a soggy mess. I also use very free draining pots to make sure no standing water is left after watering.

One thing I have discovered when re-potting cymbidiums is to keep the roots intact. I try to "pot-on" without cutting away any roots if possible. It seems like cutting away a lot of the roots when re-potting sets the plant back for at least one season. If it has to be done to get rid of dead or rotted roots, so be it. If you can just clean off the old mix and put the plant into a larger pot, it should to be much happier.

[eveslyn]

Well, FWIW, if I'm working with a hybrid, I check the background of the parent species and then try to duplicate their requirements while considering my growing conditions. I have some in a bark/perlite/charcoal mix, some in CHC, some in straight bark and a couple in s/h just for fun.