Orchiata tips

[RNCollins]

Hi! I'll be repotting a Phal tomorrow in Orchiata. I understand that I should not pre-soak or rinse the Orchiata. At first how often do you water your Phals in Orchiata? Is it ok to add some perlite and charcoal to the mix? Do you have any other tips??

[Paul Mc]

I just got a bag of this and was considering using it. Didn't know that you weren't supposed to rinse or soak it before use. Oops...


Paul McMahon
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[RNCollins]

If it says on the bag not to soak or rinse, when do I water the orchid?

[orchidsarefun]

we discussed the dryness issue with orchiata at one of our meetings. Pre-soaking doesn't help much.
With phals I would recommend mixing in about 25% long-fibred sphagnum moss. There is no harm in adding what you suggested, it boils down to preference.
Watering should at least be 1x per week, depending on humidity - but a reliable tip is to water the mix/plant well. Estimate the weight by holding it, and then water again when its much lighter. It sounds difficult but you soon learn when to re-water, regardless of the number of plants you have.

[tucker85]

Last year I moved my phals from CHC to Orchiata. I mixed in a small amount of charcoal and some sponge rock (large perlite). The phals seem to be doing well and a couple of my phals really perked up with the new mix. I didn't know you weren't supposed to soak it. I rinsed the mix and just soaked it for a short period (maybe an hour). Like most bark, Orchiata sheds water when it's new. That means I needed to keep an eye on the moisture content and water a little more often than usual. My small phals in 2.5" and 3" pots dried very quickly. They needed water about every other day. 4" and 5" pots held water longer. After a year it's holding a little more water than it did at first and I've decreased the watering.

[Ray]

I've been using and selling Orchiata for several years.

The best prep I have found is to estimate the amount you'll need and pour boiling water through it. Just enough to wet it without it sitting in the water. I use a colander in my kitchen sink (don't tell my wife), and "dribble" it through. Very hot water is also acceptable.

The idea is to open up the structure without washing away the dolomite that was applied to adjust and buffer the pH.

As to how much/often to water, the truly correct answer is "as much as the plant needs". Your choice of bark size grade, additives, type-, and size of pot can all be manipulated, so that -when coupled with your light, temperature, and humidity levels, as well as air movement - provides the right environment for the plant without overburdening you with the need to water too frequently.

[Sharon's Sheepdogs]

I'm so glad to have read this post. I have been using orchiata bark for the past year and I am finding my plants are drying too quickly. However, the people who make orchiata insist it does not need to be soaked before use. I am going to begin preparing the orchiata as Ray recommends and see if I don't notice a difference.

I agree with the recommendation about adding sphagnum moss to the bark when repotting phals. I have my phals in orchiata and place a layer of spag on top which I mist when the bottom of the pot is still wet but the top has dried. I'm a true believer of using bamboo sticks to determine whether the orchid is dry enough to water again.

Although you are not suppose to add anything to the orchiata, has anyone been doing so without problems? I would like to add sponge rock to the mix but don't want to create problems by doing so.

[jeremyinsf]

People add stuff to Orchiata all the time. Sponge Rock, Lava, Charcoal, all kinds of stuff. No worries.

[MrHappyRotter]

Just the tips?

[RNCollins]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

On average, how many years do you keep your orchids in Orchiata?