Recommendations for potting medium online store? (Phal mix)

[AnonYMouse]

I want to order a couple of things from repotme but the shipping cost exceeds merchandise cost.

I mostly order from http://www.calwesttropical.com/. Great prices!

Re: coco husk. The petstore stuff works but the one I got is a mess of chunks, bits, fiber and crumbs. Rinse multiple times with clean water. The chunks are like a sponge, adjust watering habits accordingly.

[Corry]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Oh - just an FYI, in case you didn't already know - coconut husk chips retain more water and longer than bark, so you may need to adjust your watering if you are used to bark, and switch to chc. I don't know how petstore coconut husk product compares ...

Thank you! I was not aware! So far I'm only using it as an ammendment to my regular potting soil for my other plants.

---------- Post added at 01:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:21 AM ----------

I wanted to update that I didn't read very well when I ordered. The total that I saw was with a handling fee, not with shipping. I haven't been charged shipping yet, and therefore don't know how much it is. Should have read better. I only got a couple of super lightweight pots, so I sure hope it's not much. repotme.com may end up being cheaper after all.

---------- Post added at 02:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:23 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

I don't know where you're located in Northern Illinois, but you have Hausermann's near Chicago, Oak Hill Gardens in Dundee, Il, and Orchids Garden Center in Madison, WI all in your area. I'm sure there are more.
And if there's a Lowes near you, they handle some good mixes.

Unfortunately all of those places are too far for me just to pick up a few supplies. I'm about an hour and a half to two hours west of Chicago. I've previously looked up the driving directions on both Hausermann's and Oak Hill, and really can't do either unless it's a big planned trip where I'm either going to the area for something else or going for more than just a couple of potting supplies. No Lowe's, either. I have Home Depot, Menards, and Walmart and I've scoured them all. I'm hoping that maybe when spring comes, they'll get more stuff in.

[SJF]

First Rays is great and he has reasonable shipping costs...no upcharge

[bnegrete]

Hi to all,

I've done some price shopping for online stores and I found this one "La Casa de las Orquídeas" (you can choose to read in English or Spanish) that has a lot of mixes and plain media. They ship worldwide in case someone's interested. They have really good prices and the quality and a loooooot of supplies! I buy everything there, from mix, ferts, homones... even dragonfly clips
Hope it helps: La Casa de las Orquídeas US English

[HighSeas]

I order from FirstRays too. Quality products, offers great online access to some very valuable information and open to answering questions about orchid growing. Ships fast...great prices....I always go there first.

First Rays - Using Science and Logic to Improve Orchid Growing

I also go to Tropical Plant Products here in Florida for specific items that can't be found cheaper anywhere else.

Tropical Plant Products

[RandomGemini]

Lowe's has better gro phalaenopsis mix if you can't find it at your local Home Depot.