first time using Orchiata

[james mickelso]

I know. Others don't. Just my way of teaching/informing. It may come under different names in different places.

---------- Post added at 09:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:17 PM ----------

Jeremy, one of these days I'm going to get hold of three or four different bark mixes and take pics and show the difference. Some of the bark is awful and that's being kind. I use lava rock in place of bark at times to help keep the mix a little on the dry side. The soft type bark is so prone to mold and fungus. Some are sold saying it has been sterilized. Bull!!! That's where a lot of the critters eggs come from. When I come up I'll bring you some lava cinder I get in the eastern sierra. Really good stuff.

[jeremyinsf]

Yes please! Always interested in seeing new stuff. I add medium sponge rock (among other things) to my Orchiata to 'air up' the mix. And in terms of other barks - I just have no desire to use them anymore, now that I know of (what I consider to be) the best. I just got a huge amount of the smaller sized Orchiata locally (no shipping!) and also ordered a bit of some of the larger from Ray just so I have it around.

[kindrag23]

What is rays branch on ebay?

[jeremyinsf]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

What is rays branch on ebay?

Ray is a member of this board, who sells stuff on his website (not ebay, that I know of) - Orchid Growing Supplies Semi-hydroponics Hydroponics Orchid Books PrimeAgra. He's very helpful, good prices, etc.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Really interesting to read what people say about this. I've not tried it but it's available in the UK now so I've considered it.

Drying quicker and watering more often has it's downside when there are a lot of plants to water, but not having to worry so much about watering too often outweighs that in my experience as you can then water with less thought and thus get through them quicker. That's why I find Leca as a straight medium works for me.

Rosie, do you grow as s/h or just straight LECA and water "as usual"? and what do you grow in LECA?

[kindrag23]

@NycOrchidMan- my Cattleya is in straight Leca it seems to be much happier in it.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Rosie, do you grow as s/h or just straight LECA and water "as usual"? and what do you grow in LECA?

Both, on different plants.

I find S/H causes too much cooling in my winter conditions for Phals, therefore I've stopped using S/H for them and they are in straight leca (some still in bark, most in straight leca).

I have some oncidium types, a zygo, a Prosthechea cochleata and one paph in S/H. I have other paphs, catts & dens in straight leca.

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by jeremyinsf

Ray is a member of this board, who sells stuff on his website (not ebay, that I know of) - Orchid Growing Supplies Semi-hydroponics Hydroponics Orchid Books PrimeAgra. He's very helpful, good prices, etc.

Yes, I second, or third? the suggestion to use Ray... Great prices, and Great products! Just ordered a bunch of stuff a few weeks/month ago! And, as usual (when buying from Ray), I'm a Very Happy Customer!

I love Orichata! I use the largest size, and I love it when the media dries out fast! I would much rather have to water more often, than to watch the media slowly dry, and worry about my roots rotting, b/c the media didn't dry. Like James, I like to water the roots, not the media, so I like when it dries fast! (drying in a day, I'd love that!) I also use either clay pots, or wooden baskets (when not on a mount), sometimes clear plastic - depending on the plant, so that my Phals, etc, dry out fairly quickly. But, I do have high humidity.