How long does those common pre mix last for

[OrdridPete]

Anyone got experience using those premix from hardware stores that has added ferts etc? wondering when do they start breaking down?

[estación seca]

I've only bought the MiracleGro, once. It has too much fine material for the way I grow. I didn't use it on orchids.

[ArronOB]

Originally Posted by OrdridPete

Anyone got experience using those premix from hardware stores that has added ferts etc? wondering when do they start breaking down?

In my experience, immediately.

If you are meaning the stuff usually sold in hardware stores as orchid potting mix, then I think they are targeted towards cymbidium growers. For most people in Australia, until recently ‘orchid’ meant ‘cymbidium’, so a mix for terrestrials or semi-terrestrials suited most people’s needs. Now ‘orchid’ for most people means ‘phalaenopsis’ but they don’t usually survive long enough to be repotted.

If you want a mix for genuinely epiphytic orchids you need to go to a specialist dealer or make your own.

Also, if you update your profile to show your location people can provide better answers. At least to the state level.

[OrdridPete]

Thanks, I have updated my profile, I got the osmocote brand one at Bunnings. Currently looking for specialist but no luck so far, for online the best thing i found was Orchiata bark.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by OrdridPete

Thanks, I have updated my profile, I got the osmocote brand one at Bunnings. Currently looking for specialist but no luck so far, for online the best thing i found was Orchiata bark.

Orchiata bark is really good. It's the first choice of many who grow in bark. What type of orchids are you repotting?

[OrdridPete]

2 Phals Left a mini and a normal size no ID There is a guideline on grains based on pot size. Is it something to follow? or would you go with a mix?

[Roberta]

Kiwi Bark might be more available in Australia. But in general - you want bark that is hard (not crumbly) and without fine particles mixed in. For those phals, I look for bark where most of the pieces are .75 to 1 cm in size. That will give you an environment where there are lots of air spaces. If that is what you use, you will need to water more often, but that is good since the roots of Phals want "humid air" , not "wet".

[Dimples]

If you can find Kiwi Bark, buy it!

I bought a bag of #3 KB from SVO here in southern California and my phals are haaaaappy. Because I still have a small collection and enjoy the repotting process, I sort through the bark to pull out any lesser quality pieces of hardwood and foreign objects, but the KB is the cleanest bark I’ve ever used. Mostly I find a few small rocks and maybe a few pieces of undesirable wood. I’ll sift it if the pot size I’m working with is especially small but it really is ready to go right out of the bag.

[OrdridPete]

Thanks, wondering generally how often do you water them?

[Dimples]

Watering frequency depends on the pot size. I have one phal in a very small pot that needs daily watering but I also have some larger pots that get watered every 3-5 days. I’m pushing the upper limits of light intensity for phals and my indoor daytime temp is regularly 77-83°F / 25-28°C, nighttime is 64-68°F / 17-20°C and they all sit on a heat mat.

Once our foggy/cloudy morning weather sets in later in the year the watering interval may change. Right after I repotted them they almost needed watering every day or every other day until the bark started holding a little more water on its own. I don’t soak my bark before using it. I prefer to pot dry.