Recommendations for potting medium online store? (Phal mix)

[Corry]

Soooo, I was getting a bark mix at Home Depot before, but they don't carry it anymore, apparently, and I can't find anything other than that terrible Miracle Gro Orchid Mix locally. Soooo, I'm looking online.

Can anyone recommend an online store (or product on Amazon) that is reasonable with reasonable shipping? I'm from the U.S. and I'll be repotting two mini phals and four regular sized phals.

TIA!

EDIT: I'm very overtired. My apologies for my gratuitous use of 'sooooo'. :P

EDIT AGAIN: I forgot to ask: Is coco husk an ok potting medium for orchids? I was looking for coir today and found the much chunkier coco husk at Pet Smart, instead. So I do have local access to that.

[WhiteRabbit]

No bark orchid mix at home depot??? dang - I haven't checked here for a little bit, but last year the one near me started carrying Better-Gro orchid mixes and just bark, as well as the Gubler's mixes they have sold for some time. I have also got fine and medium bark at a retail nursery chain, and local hardware chain (just some other places to check if you haven't already). Lowes, maybe?

Coconut husk chips work well for many orchids (I predominantly use them), but I get the chips meant for plants - pre-washed to remove salts from the husk. I don't know if the chips meant for reptiles have been pre-washed, but they can be soaked with , hmm ... epsom salts, I think? Hopefully someone else can advise about that. I have seen pre-washed for plants chc for sale on amazon. I got some locally at hydroponics supply store.

I know I have read good things about online vendors RePotMe.com, and Kelly's Korner (I think that's the name) - you can buy individual media, or pre-made mixes, or they will make a mix of your specification I think...

I'm sure others will have recommendations with more specifics - good luck!

[vjo]

I have used the coco husk from pet smart ...they may also have a fine bark, l have used that too, didn't have any problems with either one. You should soak the coco husk in pure water for a day or so, changing the water 2 or three times to remove the salts in it....Jean

[Corry]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

No bark orchid mix at home depot??? dang - I haven't checked here for a little bit, but last year the one near me started carrying Better-Gro orchid mixes and just bark, as well as the Gubler's mixes they have sold for some time. I have also got fine and medium bark at a retail nursery chain, and local hardware chain (just some other places to check if you haven't already). Lowes, maybe?

Coconut husk chips work well for many orchids (I predominantly use them), but I get the chips meant for plants - pre-washed to remove salts from the husk. I don't know if the chips meant for reptiles have been pre-washed, but they can be soaked with , hmm ... epsom salts, I think? Hopefully someone else can advise about that. I have seen pre-washed for plants chc for sale on amazon. I got some locally at hydroponics supply store.

I know I have read good things about online vendors RePotMe.com, and Kelly's Korner (I think that's the name) - you can buy individual media, or pre-made mixes, or they will make a mix of your specification I think...

I'm sure others will have recommendations with more specifics - good luck!

My Home Depot carried only one bark medium, and that was a small bag of JUST bark. The chunks were actually a bit bigger than I'd prefer, but it was better than potting soil. Thanks for the recommendations! I knew about repotme.com, but not Kelly's Korner, so I'll check that out. And I think I'll rinse my coconut husk and try that on at least one of my orchids and see how I like it. If I do end up liking it, I just might go with that entirely.

---------- Post added at 02:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:39 AM ----------

Originally Posted by vjo

I have used the coco husk from pet smart ...they may also have a fine bark, l have used that too, didn't have any problems with either one. You should soak the coco husk in pure water for a day or so, changing the water 2 or three times to remove the salts in it....Jean

Mine didn't have the fine bark that I saw. Thanks for the tip on soaking it for a day! I will do so!

---------- Post added at 03:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:40 AM ----------

Oooooh, nice! Kelly's Korner was far cheaper than repotme.com! Shipping was half the price! (I bought clear plastic pots)

Glancing over the potting mediums, that *seems* to be cheaper as well, but I really only glanced. I'm still going to try the coco husk.

[tucker85]

I've always been happy with Repotme.com but I've never really shopped prices. There certainly may be cheaper options.

[Corry]

Originally Posted by tucker85

I've always been happy with Repotme.com but I've never really shopped prices. There certainly may be cheaper options.

Don't get me wrong, they look like a fantastic website. I liked the looks of their crystal clear pots more, too, I'm just rather poor. :P

[Paphluvr]

Originally Posted by Corry

Soooo, I was getting a bark mix at Home Depot before, but they don't carry it anymore, apparently, and I can't find anything other than that terrible Miracle Gro Orchid Mix locally. Soooo, I'm looking online.

Can anyone recommend an online store (or product on Amazon) that is reasonable with reasonable shipping? I'm from the U.S. and I'll be repotting two mini phals and four regular sized phals.

TIA!

EDIT: I'm very overtired. My apologies for my gratuitous use of 'sooooo'. :P

EDIT AGAIN: I forgot to ask: Is coco husk an ok potting medium for orchids? I was looking for coir today and found the much chunkier coco husk at Pet Smart, instead. So I do have local access to that.

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.

[Paul Mc]

Yup to all of the above!!!

[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 ...

[rice paddie]

I've used repotme and was pleased with the service and selection of products.