Mesh baskets/pots and spaghnum moss?

[Kuzuri]

Does anyone use this? I'm repotting my Phals into spagh/white long fiber moss and vanda/mesh pots, and I'd love to hear the experiences of others. I know a few who grow several types of orchids this way (including Phals), but I'd love to hear from others!

I'm currently in the process of repotting.

[CariC]

I use spaghnum moss for some of my orchids, but not many. (And I almost always use mesh pots or baskets.)

I've found that even when the top and edges seem dried out, the center near the roots is still wet. So I have a tendency to overwater orchids potted only in moss because I can't really tell whether they need it or not.

I've also learned that you should replace moss at least once a year. At least, that's been my experience.

I prefer to mix moss in with bark and perlite for moisture loving orchids to get the moisture with good air flow. Hope that helps!

[Kuzuri]

Originally Posted by CariC

I use spaghnum moss for some of my orchids, but not many. (And I almost always use mesh pots or baskets.)

I've found that even when the top and edges seem dried out, the center near the roots is still wet. So I have a tendency to overwater orchids potted only in moss because I can't really tell whether they need it or not.

I've also learned that you should replace moss at least once a year. At least, that's been my experience.

I prefer to mix moss in with bark and perlite for moisture loving orchids to get the moisture with good air flow. Hope that helps!

But you're talking about regular pots, right? Not pots with slits/made of mesh?

Thanks for the advice, though! I'll make sure to change it once a year.

[MattWoelfsen]

I use a lot of NZ AAAAA sphagnum moss to plant my Phalaenopsis and I use net pots. This is an example of how I pot this particular seedling: Phal. Gigantea 'Ku5-3' x Doweryensis 'Big Leaf Orchid'. I potted this plant May 2013. It will remain this way for another year. When I repot it next year, I will take the entire mound and re-wrqp with more of the same quality sphagnum moss. Phal.gigantea species and related hybrids like this one do not like to have their roots disturbed.


Phal. Gigantea 'Ku5-3' x Doweryensis 'Big Leaf Orchid' by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

Here is another Phal. gigantea x LDS Bear Queen hybrid. This one is in a hanging basket, growing in a net pot, like I would grow some Vanda. Like the first hybrid pictured above, when it comes time to re-pot, I will also re-wrqp it with more of the same high quality sphagnum moss.


Phal. gigantea x LD's Bear Queen by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

Here is a third example of using sphagnum to grow Phalenopsis. This is: Phal. Jiaho's Pink Girl (P. Schilleriana x Zuma's Pixie


Phal. Jiaho's Pink Girl (P. Schilleriana x Zuma's Pixie) by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

All three of these plants came to me from the vendor Big Leaf Orchids in Texas. They were grown in sphagnum moss and they will stay in sphagnum moss.

Lest I give the impression that I'm a sphagnum moss bigot, here is my Phalaenopsis Stuartiana. I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our weather here is warm and low humidity. We do not get hot temperatures and high humidity until August and September. Notice that this plant is primarily in bark mix--Orchiata, charcoal, sponge rock, LECA, and small strands of sphagnum moss. But I put a layer of sphagnum moss on top to keep humidity and moisture in the plant. The pot is a net pot. This plant came planted in a bark mix, so I repotted it in a bark mix.


Phalaenopsis Stuartiana by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

It is very important for my Phalaenopsis to have good airflow to their roots. Using net pots and high quality sphagnum moss or a high quality bark mix, helps my plants attain a healthy environment. One last note, it really doesn't matter what potting material you use, or what pot you use. If you can provide your Phalaenopsis an environment that provides it with nourishment, humidity, warm fresh air, and bright shade, you will have a healthy plant.

[Kuzuri]

Thank you, Matt. I appreciate it!

[james mickelso]

Nice looking plants Matt. I too use moss now. I used to hate the stuff but once I learned how to use it and water correctly, I use it much more now. Even with some of my cattleyas. I repot all of my phals in it. The most important thing to remember when using moss is to not pot it up too tightly. Air flow is the key.

[MattWoelfsen]

Thanks James, coming from you, that means a lot! I consider you one of the best orchid growers on this board. I have learned a lot from you. Regarding sphagnum moss, another reason I have used and continue to use this media, is a matter of economics: all of my most expensive Phalaenopsis are planted in moss. All of my plants from Big Leaf Orchids are grown that way. If Peter Lin grows his plants in this stuff, by golly, I'm going to grow mine that way too.

But then three months ago, I acquired a Phalaenopsis ambionensis from Midpacific Orchids out of Hawaii, it was packed in bark. Well, by golly, I'm going to grow this plant in bark! That is when it occurred to me--it didn't matter! I water the moss Phals less often than I water the bark Phals. I don't have any Phals mounted, but I'm getting ready to break up some compotted seedling Phals and mount them.

Thanks to Kuzuri for starting this thread as she has given me a good reference point!

[Kuzuri]

You're very welcome, Matt! Thank you for participating!

Thank you to the rest of you as well! I've repotted a few Phals to moss-and-mesh already, but what you said about not packing too tightly makes me think that I should redo it, as I stuffed them pretty well.

Thanks once again!

[james mickelso]

You are correct in that it doesn't matter, for most orchids anyway, which media is used to plant them. It is the way in which you water them for the media in which they are planted. Most growers pot their respective orchids in media which is cheapest for them. I once saw an orchid collection where all the orchids were mounted. But the humidity was around 80% and it was around 80*f and kept lighted for 16 hrs a day. Heart stoppingly beautiful mounts. And expensive to boot. Sheesh, everything this guy did was a work of art. He seldom had to water too. He had a mister that fogged everything. I think Ray has foggers like that. If I had a better GH I'd get one from him. When I repot the rescue phals I take them out of the pot, take out the moss they are planted in and repot them right back into the same moss. Just much looser. They dry out all the way through at pretty much the same amount of time. I really am envious of your rupi's. I have some. I am looking to see if Millerii is a rupi. Looks and grows just like the others. Your chids look really healthy too.

[CariC]

Originally Posted by Kuzuri

But you're talking about regular pots, right? Not pots with slits/made of mesh?

Thanks for the advice, though! I'll make sure to change it once a year.

No, I'm talking about even in hanging baskets and mesh pots. The center still stays wet way longer than you'd expect. At least, that's been my experience.

---------- Post added at 11:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:47 AM ----------

Originally Posted by james mickelso

You are correct in that it doesn't matter, for most orchids anyway, which media is used to plant them. It is the way in which you water them for the media in which they are planted. Most growers pot their respective orchids in media which is cheapest for them. I once saw an orchid collection where all the orchids were mounted. But the humidity was around 80% and it was around 80*f and kept lighted for 16 hrs a day. Heart stoppingly beautiful mounts. And expensive to boot. Sheesh, everything this guy did was a work of art. He seldom had to water too. He had a mister that fogged everything.

That sounds gorgeous, James!