sphagnum vs no sphagnum

[rba]

Hi all,

I've been pondering this for a week without a conclusion. I'm able to keep the humidity in my little enclosure up near 100% constantly with plenty of air flow. For some reason it seems pointless to keep the Masdevallia's planted in sphagnum. Would planting in some form of wood chips be a better option?

[Bolero]

If you have humidity that high all the time then you would be right I think. I use nothing but sphagnum but my humidity can drop below 10% sometimes (no ill effects on the plants). So you probably could use bark or coconut in that situation. If you do, let us know how it goes.

[rba]

So you probably could use bark or coconut in that situation. If you do, let us know how it goes.

Well, I went ahead and repotted two of them this morning after reading your response. I'll probably wait a month before I repot the rest. Just to play it safe. I'll be sure to update this thread in a month with before and after pics.

[Tindomul]

I don't know my way around potting mixes all that much, but wouldn't wood chips be more likely to remain wet in high humidity? Unless they are really big wood chips with lots of air space between.

[rba]

Actually what I'm using for the two I have potted is made for Phalaenopsis. My thought was that as a medium grade wood chip that it would allow more air to the roots since the humidity is so high.

On another note I've thought about just sitting the bare roots of the plants on the false bottom (egg crate) and see if they would grow like that. Ofcoarse it would be a pita if I ever wanted to move one.

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

I don't know my way around potting mixes all that much, but wouldn't wood chips be more likely to remain wet in high humidity? Unless they are really big wood chips with lots of air space between.

Everything stays wet in 100% humidity. I can't imagine what potting mix wouldn't. It's worth trying on one plant I think but I can't predict exactly what would happen. 100% humidity would keep sphagnum wet for a very long time I would think.

[Tindomul]

Well I suppose I ment, wetter. In my experience sphagnum dries out easier, but then that may be my experience because I almost never have 100% humidity. So anyhow, by that logic I assumed that bark chips stay wetter, longer, with less air movement.
But please correct me if I am wrong.

[Bolero]

You need air movement for the plants, I wouldn't have that kind of humidity and no air movement. I won't be correcting anyone, I am not always right.