What mix do you repot Phrags in?

[Fran20]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

What I will do soon (and had never done before) is to do a video to show just how I water my orchids. Each grower has their methods - including the nurseries - but we don't always get to see how we all do our watering. I'll get around to doing a video and post a video download link through say google drive, or even youtube.

I would be most interested in seeing such a video because a number of my orchids, including a paph, are growing in scoria.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Fran20

I would be most interested in seeing such a video because a number of my orchids, including a paph, are growing in scoria.

Hi Fran! I will be happy to make the video, which won't take much time at all. I'll put it on a youtube channel. Thanks for letting me know you've been growing some orchids in scoria too. I'll remember to include the zygo in the video too.

[camille1585]

I unpotted the Phrag this morning, and I clearly waited way, way too long to get it out of the old sour media. Nearly all the roots have rotted. Since the new growths haven't started making any roots yet, I can't repot in s/h yet. So it'll go back into a bark based mix...

[Keysguy]

Wow---- that's a testament to why we think that orchids can sometimes "die overnight".
The top looks great so who would think the root system could possibly look like that, right?
Excellent example of why it's so important to check up on the roots to really understand the health status of your plants.

[camille1585]

The roots were rather healthy when I recieved the plant mid July. I didn't have time to repot before going on vacation for 3 weeks, and when I got back I kept on putting it off because my mind is elsewhere at the moment (some family health things...). But yes, I'm really surprised how great the plant looks and how well it's growing with so few roots to support it!

[estación seca]

Phrags are always just about to make new roots. I would put into S/H.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I echo ES

In the medium where it is going is the best place to have it grow the new roots. So that way they are acclimated to their new conditions

[camille1585]

I'm worried about killing off the remaining roots before the new ones come in. The window for optimal growing conditions is starting to close, we're already getting fall weather here...

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I unpotted the Phrag this morning, and I clearly waited way, way too long to get it out of the old sour media. Nearly all the roots have rotted. Since the new growths haven't started making any roots yet, I can't repot in s/h yet. So it'll go back into a bark based mix...

The great thing is that you got around to it. That's some credit given! Could be a good save here.

I used my old Samsung S2 to make a vid this morning of my watering. The software for getting the data off the phone quickly (instead of using bluetooth for transfer) isn't cooperating, or the phone isn't getting enough power from the USB port to do a USB transfer. So it's currently slowly transferring the video files to a computer via bluetooth. After that, I'll do some quick edits hehe ..... and then will upload to a youtube channel.

I had to hold the phone and the watering wand and trying to keep my phone-hand steady. Not the best of videos hehehe ------ maybe passable (after some video edits hehe)

[SouthPark]

Fran and Camille ----- finally got the video into youtube, and haven't yet added little running commentary captions! My first time orchid video hehehehehe.

I'll add the link here:

Watering of scoria-grown orchids in the tropics: - YouTube

I recommend jumping to 38 seconds into the video, and also 12 mins 50 seconds into the video (the supervisor makes appearances there hehe).

I do water a couple of cymbidium in bark ------ but all the rest are in scoria. And while not seen in the video, I grow my favourite cymbidium (Cym. Regal Flames 'Queen of Hearts') in 100% scoria.