Overwhelmed with Potting Media Options - Orchid Board

drmoonshine · #1 10-20-2019, 12:12 AM

Aloha,

We live in Hilo, Hawaii at about 750-foot elevation. It rains nearly every day and temperatures range from 65-90 degrees.

We are fairly new to orchid growing but already have a small collection of Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Laelia, Slipper, and Vanda orchids.

Several are blooming now and I thought I would repot them when the flowers are gone. I am overwhelmed with all the potting media options and don't know which one(s) to chose.

Roberta · #2 10-20-2019, 12:37 AM

Best to work backwards from the needs of each type of plant. Vandas, for instance, need as little media as possible - as I recall, Hilo is on the windward side, and gets lots of rain. So the Vandas will very likely be happy outside in open baskets with no media at all. Actually, most of the rest don't need much either... large bark, perhaps but with the rain, humidity, and warmth their needs are modest - excellent drainage is critical, for most baskets or mounted will work well. (Some, tie them to trees and let nature take care of the rest) The slippers (Paphiopedilums and Phragmipediums) need a little more moisture and less need to dry out so perhaps medium bark. But in your wonderful environment, less is more.

You might want to check out the nearest orchid society... find out what other people do. I found Hilo Orchid Society just searching online, there may be other clubs in your area too. But talking to people who grow orchids in the same environment as you have is most valuable... I can speculate from what I know of your area, but locals know better.

Ray · #3 10-20-2019, 09:12 AM

The "rains every day" comment makes me think you're growing your plants outdoors, making me think you're best to go with inorganic media. I'd bet lava rock is readily available and in different size grades to tailor it to each plant's need.

drmoonshine · #4 10-20-2019, 02:51 PM

Thanks Roberta and Ray,

Man orchids in an East facing bay window behind my kitchen sink. Other orchids are on covered lanais with some sun exposure and diffuse light.

I mentioned the regular rain to acknolowedge that we have a lots of humidity, typically 40-65%.

I like to water weekly and mist a couple of times a week. I am considering LECA and netting pots.

What do you think?

Ray · #5 10-20-2019, 02:59 PM

I think that would work, but LECA in a net pot might dry out pretty quickly, so once-a-week watering might not be enough for some plants. You might have to experiment a bit with net versus plastic for some.

drmoonshine · #6 10-20-2019, 03:16 PM

Roberta,

I recently joined the Hilo Orchid Society. There are monthly meetings with a show/tell and a guest speaker. I just starting to understand what we are talking about. Last weekend, I went on a private nursery tour. Made some new connections and doubled my collection.

Roberta · #7 10-20-2019, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmoonshine

Roberta,

I recently joined the Hilo Orchid Society. There are monthly meetings with a show/tell and a guest speaker. I just starting to understand what we are talking about. Last weekend, I went on a private nursery tour. Made some new connections and doubled my collection.

Now you're hooked...

DirtyCoconuts · #8 10-20-2019, 11:47 PM

Lol. I know how that is. Have to stay away from nurseries

What I have done is get a lot of lava rock, carcoal, fir bark and hydroton. I have them all in different large buckets. I take scoops of each for a mix depending on the orchid. Some get more bark, others more rock.

If the time allows...I’ll put some of the mix into the new container I’ll be using for the replant and see how long it stays damp or how quickly it dries out completely.

Know what the plants want and then figure it from that.