Net pot potting mediums

[Messiah0]

Hello all, I’ve recently wanted to experiment with potting orchids in net pots or wood baskets with a fast-draining media so I can water them with the same system my mounted orchids are on, but I’m unsure what media to use. I currently have some in pots with scoria, but I’m concerned the scoria may be drying too quickly (even quicker than my mounts, as they have moss) and was wondering if anyone with more orchid potting media knowledge could help me choose a suitable one. The ones I’m currently considering are large-grade pumice, large-grade perlite, or LECA. Ideally, I want a media that isn't going to break down. Extra info: My standard humidity is above 70; as they are in a glass house and I am growing a wide range of orchids, all the ones I would like to pot like this generally aren't wet growers and enjoy a wet dry cycle like the ones you get from mounting but do not like to go as dry as catts.

[Ray]

First, let me say that’s a good goal. When I had a greenhouse at my last home, I had “evolved” my assortment of containers and media so that everything could be watered at once, allowing a great deal of labor reduction and even automatic watering when I traveled (or was lazy).

What you use - both container and medium - will depend a lot on the plant you want to pot up that way.

I used LECA in slat baskets, net pots, and plastic pots to “fine tune” the water retention, for example. For other plants, I used chunks of open-celled ABS “foam” (chopped up rotary floor polisher pads), also in different types of containers.

I do something similar with my limited collection of (not-greenhoused) plants now, adjusting the LECA and rockwool cubes content of the medium in plastic pots from 100% LECA to 75%/25%, and several steps in between, as needed.

[Messiah0]

So for your greenhouse orchids, do you use 100% leca or chopped Eco/Epi Web? What is your watering for orchids you have potted like this? Do you find you can water them daily or run them off your automatic watering system? Obviously, I’ll need to test in my conditions and tweak, but I would love further insight into this part of your culture, as I’ve followed your other posts regarding both semi-hydro and rock wool LECA mixes and had great success. Also, do you have any pictures of your orchids potted in non-SH leca or rotary pad chunks?

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

I grow lots of my plants in net pots. Cattleya group and others that like to dry out, large bark (or scoria or similar medium) work fine - think of the basket as a three-dimensional mount. For those that like to stay wetter, I use sphagnum a lot. Recently I have been using New Zealand tree fern Amazon.com : Fernwood Orchid Growing Medium and Reptile Substrate- Natural, Organic, Long Lasting | for Orchids and Other Epiphytes | Use in Terrariums and Vivariums | 10 Liters (9.1 U.S. Quarts) : Patio, Lawn & Garden and I like it a lot - I have been using it for 2 years or so, don't see signs of breakdown and is easier to rewet after it dries out than sphagnum.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

All the media you mentioned would work in your conditions. I would not add sphagnum if you're planning on watering daily. At 70% relative humidity roots in a basket with media will remain moist for multiple hours, plenty of time to absorb enough water. If you use pure water it is likely moss will grow on the surface of the media.

The four media you mentioned have different densities and shapes. Perlite is very easy to dislodge when watering. This needs to be considered when new roots are forming because movement of medium may damage root tips. LECA is denser, but brands with spherical pieces are also easy to dislodge. LECA with more irregular shapes locks together better.

[Dimples]

I know you said you’re looking for inorganic materials, but high-quality large or extra large bark would last a very long time in those conditions.