Best Potting Media for North East United States

[Amichab]

Hello, I know this has probably been asked before but I cannot find it on the forum.

I am overwhelmed by the information out there about what media to use for my different orchids. I live in Washington DC, so subtropical with hot and humid summers and cold winters. With the heater on, my winters are very dry.

I plan to put most of the 'chids out for the summer.

A few are going to be repotted in early spring. I really need help picking the right media for them for my climate.

- generic hybrid Phal (will go outside in summer)
- Sharry Baby (outside)
- Brassia (outside)
- 2 mottled paphs (will NOT go outside)
- Miltoniopsis (will NOT go outside - heat is too much but it will love the humidity)

Thank you for any information you can share!

[Orchid Whisperer]

With some modifications, you can use fir bark (orchid bark) for all of those. No reason in the world that you can't use whatever brand is offered at your favorite big-box hardware store. I use Better Gro brand orchid bark that I buy at Lowe's (economical), but you could use another brand too.

Phalaenopsis, use straight for bark, or you can put some kind of inert drainage material in the lower third of the pot, like 1-inch gravel, or styrofoam pieces of similar size. If you care to, you can selectively use the coarser bark for that plant (not required though)

For your Sharry Baby, Miltoniopsis, Brassia (Oncidium alliance), use the bark but place a layer of sphagnum moss about an inch thick on top of it.

For your mottled Paph, use the smaller bark in the bag, mix in some fine gravel if you have it (Raisin-sized pieces), a little chopped sphagnum mixed in the top half of the pot, a blanket of sphagnum moss over the top of that.

I live in Georgia, I wouldn't hesitate to summer any of those outdoors. Including the Paph. Just adjust the amount of shade that you provide to prevent sunburn.

[Amichab]

Thank your Orchid Whisperer for making that so clear! This is a life saver!

[Subrosa]

I grow the vast majority of my orchids here in PA semi-hydroponically leca.

[Fairorchids]

This question can't be answered based on Orchid genera only. It is also a question of: How much time are you willing to put into your hobby?

A. if Phals go outside, why not the Paphs with identical requirements (shade/temp/watering schedule)?

B. If you would like to water all plants on the same schedule:

The first 4 in spaghnum/bark mix.
Miltoniopsis in seedling size bark/charcoal/perlite mix.