Potting mix

[S&K Maley]

Avoid all of the ones in your picture for many reasons.Do yourself a big favour and look into Orchiata by Besgrow,[Tindara},your plants will thank you.I add some Lava rock as recommended.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by larrylwill

So I assume you mix it so you can water all at the same time regardless of type?

Yes. My collection is in a GH, but get's watered only once a week. I have:
Paph seedlings in 2" plastic pots (spaghnum/bark mix), Paphs in 3"-6" plastic pots in bark mix,
Cattleyas in 4"-8" clay pots in bark mix
Vandaceous in net pots (< 6") with a spaghnum mix,
and the larger plants in hanging baskets are in a coarse bark mix with a little spaghnum.

[larrylwill]

Whats your opinion on Orchiata and its hype?

thank you

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by larrylwill

Whats your opinion on Orchiata and its hype?

thank you

I have not tried it. Standard bark mix stands up to 2-3 years of growing, so I don't know how you can improve on that.

For Paphs repotting every 12 months or so is recommended by OZ, Marriott, etc., so longer lasting bark serves no purpose whatsoever. That said I usually only repot every 2 years.

In my opinion, it is probably just the latest hype (similar to Aussie Gold a few years ago).

[larrylwill]

thanks for your opinion