Best Medium For Oncidium/Odontoglossum - Orchid Board

Mr.Green61 · #1 09-06-2008, 07:00 AM

Dear friends,
What is the best potting material for oncidium, I have bought some plants came frm china and their medium was sand mixed with wood bark and sand stones.
The plants comming frm Thailand are in cocunet pcs, and we in Karachi using charcoal mix with cocu chips.

Tommyr · #2 09-06-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Green61

Dear friends,
What is the best potting material for oncidium, I have bought some plants came frm china and their medium was sand mixed with wood bark and sand stones.
The plants comming frm Thailand are in cocunet pcs, and we in Karachi using charcoal mix with cocu chips.

I like Long fibered sphag moss. You'll get different answers!

wahaj · #3 09-06-2008, 08:52 PM

Hi Mr Green! Nice to talk to someone from Karachi. Used to live there about 11 years ago myself and will be visiting again in January.

As for Oncidium/Odontos....I find that they hate anything that is too moist. They are thirsty/hungry plants....but I find they like to work for their moisture.

The ones I have do best in 5 parts medium coarse bark, 1 part chopped up moss, 1 part charcoal, 1 part perlite.

But if you don't have all that stuff...I'd go for straight bark as it is. Water thoroughly every time you water. Under watering with these is better than over watering. I find the best indicator is when the bulbs start to shrivel a tiny bit.

Also I find good light is essential to flowering.

Hope this helps. I have a rosey sunset type with red flowers just coming into flower. 2 spikes flowering, 3rd will start in a couple of weeks, and a 4th spike just started. So seems to work for me.

Lagoon · #4 09-06-2008, 08:57 PM

Sphagnum & perlite .... It works best for me

snow · #5 09-06-2008, 11:53 PM

s/h is my way

Mr.Green61 · #6 09-07-2008, 04:40 PM

hello Wahaj, thanks and c u in january, wht is straight bark, is it cocunet fiber.
Gloria, can i use pumese instead of perlite, if i make mixtre of pumese,sphagnam moss and charcoal

Lagoon · #7 09-07-2008, 07:08 PM

Did you mean pumice? If so, You get good moisture added drainage with that mix. Don't be shy with the pumice

Mr.Green61 · #8 09-08-2008, 06:05 AM

Gloria, thanks and wht is diffrne between pumice and perlite, i have seen perlite pictres on net and if u break pumice, in side same grey white colour like perlite. and does pumice retain water.

wahaj · #9 09-08-2008, 08:12 AM

Hi Mr Green,

By Straight bark I mean Pine wood bark or redwood bark chunks, instead of CHC. I find CHC (coconut husk chips) hold far too much moisture for me.

Lagoon · #10 09-08-2008, 10:03 AM

Hi Ashraf, I don't know about the differences, they both have the same abilities - drainage and air effect.
Perlite does infact retain moisture but dries out very quickly. I once grew out a couple of phals seedlings, they did well. But, the watering was too much - a few times aweek in fact. The roots we're beautiful, just couldn't keep up the watering and fertilizing routine.

Coupling sphag and perlite is the best way to go for me.