Potting media/mix for Phaiocalanthe ?

[WhiteRabbit]

Being terrestrial (my ONLY true terrestrial orchid), I don't know what type of media to use.
I have some coconut husk product, fine chips and fiber - would that with some perlite be decent? Fine bark w/perlite? Sphag? Peat w/perlite?

Help, suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

[Paul Mc]

I don't know if my method was correct or not, but I made my own mix of perlite, charcoal chunks, styrofoam peanuts and Miracle Gro's Orchid Mix - all mixed equal parts. It seems to love the mix as it has 3 new growths this year as opposed to just the one from last year.

I would treat it as any other Phaius or Calanthe. It seems to be working good for me.

[Lagoon]

Sonya, I've never used any coco products with these. But they do really like to stay moist with good drainage. I treat them as a jewel but with higher light.

They worked well with sphag and bark with added perlite. They also love peatmoss coupled up with some bark and perlite. I think you can be very flexable with any media that contains good moisture levels.

Easy and wonderful orchids to grow - HTH

[Ray]

They do well in semi-hydroponics, too.

I tend to treat terrestrials the way I do potted epiphytes, but view them as being much more tolerant of a less-airy root zone environment - i.e., a finer, moisture-holding mix.

[WhiteRabbit]

Thanks everyone

Paul, yes, I was thinking this might be the time that miracle-gro orchid mix might be suitable - can't remember where I have seen it for sale, wouldn't you know?

Gloria - I've had this plant for a bit, initially did well for me, but previous winter, I think it was over-watered as well as insufficient light - tried to bounce back over summer. Kept it drier this winter, but I think still too little light (was just recently reading these like more light than I thought they did).

Thanks Ray - I was thinking the same (media similar as for epiphytes, but lots of moisture retention, less worry about lots of air at roots) - I have read they CAN be potted in regular potting mix with a liberal amount of perlite, but I just can't bring myself to try that. I may try the s/h route, if I can find some hydroton/leca locally for not too much $

The mix I make for cyms (medium and very fine bark, perlite, pumice) retains moisture very well, so that could work, but wouldn't you know - the brand of bark I used to get (WonderBark), their fine bark is VERY fine (too fine for epiphytes, but good mixed with the medium for cyms) - I haven't seen in stores here for a while (they also had a terrestrial orchid mix - I used for Christmas cactus) grrrr -

Guess I need to hit a few stores and see what I can find - OR - just mix a bit of everything I have and see how that goes lol

Thanks for the input everyone!

[Paul Mc]

I find the Orchid mix and perlite in Home Depot's or Lowes in bags.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I find the Orchid mix and perlite in Home Depot's or Lowes in bags.

Thanks - I was just there and did find some - of course when I got home I spotted, on a low shelf, some terrestrial orchid mix lol *DOH!* I have plenty of perlite

I was wondering - if I use the miracle gro mix - it has added fertilizer - do you fertilize normally anyway? or fertilize less?

Thanks for your help!