naughty plant nurseries

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Using what works best for you is the key to success.

+2

I have grown both cattleyas and phals in straight sphag with success though usually I use different media. One's growing conditions and watering makes all the difference. If using straight sphag, I do find it helpful NOT to pack it tightly. A fluffier, airy sphag fill can work quite well. That said, I do think for the average newbie, it is not the best media to use.

As to why nurseries use it ...
As Ray mentioned, in their conditions it works well. When watering their plants, nurseries do not necessarily drench/soak their plants. The watering the plants receive dampens the media but doesn't leave it saturated. Having the sphag packed tight makes it unlikely the center of the pot will be wet at all as it would take too much time for the water to seep in. Instead, only the outer layer of the sphag winds up wetted.
Furthermore, there is the issue of the BBSs/markets which will be selling the plants. Sphag -- unless it is saturated -- is quite light which lowers shipping costs. At the same time, when packed tight, it does an admirable job keeping the orchid in the pot. Once at the seller's shop, the nursery has no way of knowing how much care -- if any -- the seller will allot for the plants. Damp sphag can hold enough water to maintain the plant for sometime ... hopefully long enough for a buyer to make the purchase.