Spanish Moss Cover

[SteveM]

Hi All,

I have been using Spanish moss as a cover to retain moisture because I have my orchids outside under my deck cover. Media is fir bark, sphagnum moss in different ratios and perlite. I thought the Spanish moss cover would help keep the moisture in with the temperatures now reaching into the low to mid 90's. Read some favoring and not so favoring articles on this.

Phals did not like it. After about 2 weeks with it on I took it off to look at roots and saw roots were starting to rot away right under the cover. I do not water them much. Every 5 days. They are in 4 or 5 inch pots and good for their sizes. Cats did not like it either same thing some minor root rot in air roots. Except for the Cat which had 1 root after repotting seedling and it has sprung about 7 root nubs and one new growth in that time I was thinking that I was going to loose this guy but was excited to see this new growth.

Seidenanda loves it. Roots are going crazy in 2 inch pot (Seedling) looks like roots from Jurassic park. Not sure if this guy will be able to be kept in a pot. Roots are really trying to poke up in air. Took moss cover off briefly to let to dry but I think I may put it back on. My Aliceia I haven't checked under it yet but seems to be doing great. New sheaths are growing and the markings on the leaves that I posted last time has not gotten any worse so I think it was just wind or shipping damage but not anything to be concerned about.

Anyone has any experience with using Spanish moss as a decorative/ moisture retentive cover. I do think that I may run into problems with drying out with the temps in the 90's if I dont use something, or I may have to change the way I water, Right now I am submerging and letting it dry out with a few exceptions. The Seidenanda and Aliceia I do not let go completely dry. I may just water lightly each day for the ones that don't like the Spanish moss.

Just crazy how some things like somethings and other hate it and love something else.

Anyone have any suggestions on how they water their phals and catts outside with temps in upper 80s 90's. All advice is appreciated.