Pumice stone for Cymbs? - Orchid Board

rodrigo · #1 09-26-2010, 08:42 AM

Hi

Has anybody tried Pumice stone as a media component for cymbidiums?

It is so light and porous that I have been tempted to try it.

Thanks,

Rodrigo

RJSquirrel · #2 09-27-2010, 12:23 AM

Japanese Orchids

Ray · #3 09-27-2010, 10:18 AM

I experimented with pumice as a semi-hydroponic substrate, and it worked reasonably well. Unlike LECA though, it builds up minerals quite quickly. I would expect it to be worse in traditional culture methods.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 09-27-2010, 07:23 PM

I have used pumice for the potting media of a few orchids (they are not Cymbidiums though). There have been no ill effects.

If you choose to use pumice, you'd be using quite a lot of it though.

smweaver · #5 09-29-2010, 07:53 AM

I too use it as a component in potting mixes. Large grade for cattleyas and dendrobiums (I combine it with large-grade coconut husk pieces), and small grade for the cymbidiums. All of the plants seem to really like it, especially my Cymbidium tracyanum and eburneum, which have lots of great root growth growing throughout their pots.

WhiteRabbit · #6 09-29-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I have used pumice for the potting media of a few orchids (they are not Cymbidiums though). There have been no ill effects.

If you choose to use pumice, you'd be using quite a lot of it though.

ditto that - I have some Catt types potted in pumice and they have been doing well.
I don't know how big (pot size) your cyms are, but it would seem you would need a lot of pumice - not sure how expensive that would get - and also might not seem so lightweight in large quantities.

I might also be concerned that it would need frequent watering - but I live in a fairly dry climate - might not be such an issue somewhere with high humidity ...

You could always start by trying a small division in pumice for a while to see how it goes ...

rodrigo · #7 09-29-2010, 10:10 PM

Thanks for all recommendations.

Yes, I will try it with a few Cymbs to see how it goes.

I want to combine it with charcoal 50-50, same grit size as the pumice.

Rodrigo

orchids3 · #8 09-30-2010, 10:56 PM

Guess it all in whats available - if you look there are not many valcanoes in Florida USA - other than that I cant comment. If I had it I might try it on a few plants.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #9 10-01-2010, 01:52 AM

Los Angeles isn't exactly crawling with volcanoes either.

You might be able to find some for sale at your local garden center or nursery. There should also be some online sources.

They're not expensive at all. (At least here they aren't.)

WhiteRabbit · #10 10-01-2010, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Los Angeles isn't exactly crawling with volcanoes either.

You might be able to find some for sale at your local garden center or nursery. There should also be some online sources.

They're not expensive at all. (At least here they aren't.)

I do agree it should be easy to find - at least in the US - but there actually are volcanoes in Calif - just fairly quiet, or dormant ...

but I have only seen it in fairly small bags - would probably need at least 2-3 bags to pot a moderately sized cym