My very first Phal in trouble

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Not too discourage anyone, But this is alot of the problem I had with bark, seems I couldn't keep the proper moisture level. It was either to wet and rotted away quickly along with my orchid or dried out and very difficult to reclaim good moisture level.

So for me me, It went, Overwater, underwater, overwater, then again underwater.
Ok I hate bark -- I said it

I too, hate bark.
While at the GYNOS in NYC, I picked up a bag of KK's Special Orchid Mix by Kelly's Korners. (Kelley's Korner Orchid Supplies)
It's a mix of coco husk chips, Diatomite, sponge rock and charcoal. It is suppose to hold up for about 3 years. It less prone to breakdown which brings unsightly little creatures .. spring tails and other bark decomposing pests.
I found that the orchids I bought have been sitting in their medium so long not only was it broken down but it was stained with fertilizer salts .. yuck! ..
I am very pleased with it so far though I have just started using it and will transplant more plants this year if need be .. I would eventually like to go to S/H as I have heard nothing but good news about using it.
I will try the KK for now and I think it will outdo the bark mixture I have used.
You do have to keep an eye on watering as it tends to dry out quicker than the bark. (I was told that in time it will hold more moisture.) My water scheduling in a state of change going from one medium to the other. But no biggie.
I, also like the way the KK mix looks with the orchids. The light brown with the green leaves is a nice palate compared to the dark icky brown of the bark ..
but hey, that's me

Remember when repotting to soak the material at least for a few hours if not overnight.

Good luck!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Not too discourage anyone, But this is alot of the problem I had with bark, seems I couldn't keep the proper moisture level. It was either to wet and rotted away quickly along with my orchid or dried out and very difficult to reclaim good moisture level.

So for me me, It went, Overwater, underwater, overwater, then again underwater.
Ok I hate bark -- I said it

Tin, New roots are a good sign - Don't forget it's growing season
You may loose some leaves and it sucks I know
But growth is super fast when our summers are here - Thank the lord

How about the other thing Ross said -- To bag it to gain more moisture

For me, I tried S/H and the plants didn't like it but the bark works fine. I guess that's why they sell all this stuff - 'cause everything works for somebody! I make up my own mixes and have not had a problem yet (knock on bark )

[Lagoon]

Soaking bark for me didn't help much at all. I would have to soak my catts in the sink on a daily basis. Bark broke down less then 1 year.
Some bark I got nothing but fungus and mold, Can you see why I hated this stuff???

I'm glad to hear it works well for other, and if it worked that well for me ..... I think too would be using it more. I think the mix with bark, charcol, etc .... Is easier to put together.
But having slippers, peatmoss and sphag do work best for me
Bark does have it's place, Just not in my house

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Soaking bark for me didn't help much at all. I would have to soak my catts in the sink on a daily basis. Bark broke down less then 1 year.
Some bark I got nothing but fungus and mold, Can you see why I hated this stuff???

I'm glad to hear it works well for other, and if it worked that well for me ..... I think too would be using it more. I think the mix with bark, charcol, etc .... Is easier to put together.
But having slippers, peatmoss and sphag do work best for me
Bark does have it's place, Just not in my house

Really strange. Not sure what was going on there, but I get 2-3 years on mine before it gets really broken down and wet. I just repot without thinking about it.

[Dorothy]

Ross .. what do you add to your mix?

I agree with you with the bark getting moldy .. ick again!
Ross you can buy the bark I would have .. more for you!

[Ross]

No! I don't buy old bark, yuk

I usually use either coarse or fine bark depending on plant and size. I mix a handful of coarse charcoal and perhaps some New Zeland spagnum, depending on plant. Good to go.

[Lagoon]

I dunno, Maybe your just getting better bark then some of us. Yep sphag will help out too. Cooler tempts will also help - But wow 3 years is great!!