Using Orchiata for Phalenopsis violacea Hybrid

[psoque]

Hi. I just re-potted my first Phalaenopsis violacea hybrid. It came with a lot of nice roots all coiled in a knot around a tight plug of sphagnum moss. When I took out the plant and removed the moss, I was pleasantly surprised to see that all roots were doing well. I guess the commercial grower really knows what they are doing.

Anyways, I wanted to re-pot into a medium that would last longer, so I decided to pot in this mix in a 4 inch Aircone

-volcanic rock and charcoal bottom layer
-mixture of 1:10 sphagnum moss: standard sized Orchiata
-a few sprinkling of diatomite pebbles and sphagnum moss on top

Hopefully this would be humid enough of a mixture for this plant.

Do you think I should have added more sphagnum moss in the mixture?

Also, what is the point of using Orchiata if sphagnum part would most likely last much shorter than Orchiata, meaning that I would be wasting the Orchiata?

Thanks.

[Ray]

Orchiata is available in 5 distinct sizes, so what are you calling "standard"?

When I use the stuff, I use it straight, with no additives, but when the plant needs more moisture, simply opt for the next size down.

A word to the wise: before using it, trickle VERY hot water over the Orchiata (don't soak it) to wet it, wait 15 minutes and repeat. That opens up the internal structure, allowing more water absorption, without removing the dolomite that has been added during processing for sale.

[psoque]

I am using the "Classic" size of Orchiata, which, I believe is 1/4 to 3/8 inches in size. I am using this one since I was hoping that this size would retain more moisture than the "Power" size, which I use for my larger Cattleya hybrids.

Thanks for the advice on using hot water on Orchiata. I will try this next time.

[Ray]

You can approach the bark degree of "openness" now by watering very thoroughly, waiting about 30 minutes and doing so again.

[bogdan]

I don't know what's the issue with the Orchiata that I'm getting, but it is transforming into flat "slices", like it's molting. It is also compacting if I use it alone, so therefore I have to always add Hydroton or Pumice, otherwise even the largest size would hold too much water. The humidity is 40% and there is quite a lot of moving air from the fans, but I still find it difficult to water properly. Does anyone experiences issues with their Orchiata?