Homemade Medium

[Alli Kat]

I'm thinking that I'll have to re-pot my Phalaenopsis orchid sometime soon, but I don't have the medium to do it. I searched the internet for materials to make homemade medium. The website said that I could coconut fiber and fir tree bark. Any other trees/materials that I could use? (I don't have a fir tree in my backyard, so yeah....).

[Ray]

There are a wide variety of potential potting materials, but that doesn't mean that they'll all be right for you and your growing conditions.

Don't be in a hurry and "go cheap" by collecting stuff off the ground, as the results may be disastrous. Fir bark sold as orchid potting medium, for example, is usually steamed to extract resins that can be phytotoxic, so it's a good thing you don't have any trees handy.

Take a look at this summary. It might help.

[Orchid Whisperer]

You live in a city large enough that it should have a "big box" type home improvement store (Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, etc.). You can buy a bag of "orchid bark" for about $5 or $6 U.S. If you have a Phalaenopsis, I would avoid the "Phalaenopsis Mix" that is sometimes sold, it usually has too much small material mixed in.

If you want to use less orchid bark, you can use chunks of styrofoam, or styrofoam packing "peanuts", mixed with the bark half-and-half in the medium that goes in the lower half of the pot. If you use the "peanuts", try putting them in water first, since some are now made to be biodegradable (the biodegradable ones shrink/dissolve into a goo in water, relatively quickly (minutes), and can't be used for orchids).

If you need any instructions on how to repot, Google "American Orchid Society Phalaenopsis repotting" and you will find a lot of good information. Good luck!

[theloyalplum]

In addition to what they've said above, you may want to look into lava rock/charcoal as possible additives. I've been using the teeny-tiny pieces of lump charcoal from my smoker as an additive for my mixes. It don't break down and absorb a little water, but not too much. Charcoal can make mixes slightly acidic somethings, so might wanna watch for that!

[wintergirl]

When I first started with orchids I used the big box Miracle-Gro orchid potting mix. Then I bought some different mixes off Ebay. Slowly each plant I repotted with the new mix started having problems or stopped growing. Not sure what the problem was but for example my phal lindenii just stopped growing and just didn't look right. I repotted in the Miracle-grow and in just over a week I have a new leaf tip peeking up. I am thrilled. I use spag moss and also bark and moss, but from now on I am sticking with the Mircle-Grow for my bark. It's cheaper and handy and has not hurt my plants. I pick out the best pieces and don't use anything that resembles dirt in the bag.

[Alli Kat]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

When I first started with orchids I used the big box Miracle-Gro orchid potting mix. Then I bought some different mixes off Ebay. Slowly each plant I repotted with the new mix started having problems or stopped growing. Not sure what the problem was but for example my phal lindenii just stopped growing and just didn't look right. I repotted in the Miracle-grow and in just over a week I have a new leaf tip peeking up. I am thrilled. I use spag moss and also bark and moss, but from now on I am sticking with the Mircle-Grow for my bark. It's cheaper and handy and has not hurt my plants. I pick out the best pieces and don't use anything that resembles dirt in the bag.

So you mean you grow your orchids in 100% Miracle-Gro soil (bark)? I might try that out. Thanks.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by Alli Kat

So you mean you grow your orchids in 100% Miracle-Gro soil (bark)? I might try that out. Thanks.

I use the Orchid Potting Mix - Coarse Blend

http://www.miraclegro.com/smg/goprod...-mix/prod70298

I pick the pieces and throw away anything that resembles dirt. I use this for all my phals and other orchids that need a bark media. I have had good luck with it so now I am sticking with it.

[shelleymom]

I just nearly killed my first phal with a "big-box" "orchid mix." Check out repotme.com for a great selection of potting media. I'm using their styrofoam, hydro leca, and sphagnum moss from their Imperial Orchid Mix. The main drawback is the high cost of shipping.

[dbarron]

I am not trying to attack anyone here, please don't be offended. I've never tried MiracleGrow orchid supplies, but I have experience with their normal plant potting soils, and based on that...I am totally scared of using any of their products. I don't WANT fertilizer pre-added to potting mixes, I don't want the moisture absorbent crap they make it out of. And that's for regular houseplants...I SURE don't want them to pre-fertilize my orchids. That just seems to make no sense to me...

Your experiences may vary and you're welcome to your own opinion, but I thought to offer mine for the possible benefit of any novice reader.

Ok, end rant!

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by dbarron

I am not trying to attack anyone here, please don't be offended. I've never tried MiracleGrow orchid supplies, but I have experience with their normal plant potting soils, and based on that...I am totally scared of using any of their products. I don't WANT fertilizer pre-added to potting mixes, I don't want the moisture absorbent crap they make it out of. And that's for regular houseplants...I SURE don't want them to pre-fertilize my orchids. That just seems to make no sense to me...

Your experiences may vary and you're welcome to your own opinion, but I thought to offer mine for the possible benefit of any novice reader.

Ok, end rant!

Key words are "never tried". I just pick out the big bark pieces I don't use the entire mix.