Potting media for people who like to water - Page 4 - Orchid Board

oscar freak · #31 01-19-2015, 02:26 AM

i'm learning as i go along trying different things to see what works best and in the interim trying not to kill them a bonus if they flower.i see now how long plastic pots hold water so i'm stopping that from now,only clay pots in future.while cleaning my fish tank filter yesterday which consists of bio rock and rings thought they would make the perfect medium?it is readily availablle and cheap.

snowflake311 · #32 01-19-2015, 10:56 AM

I know the stuff you are talking about I have 2 larg fish tanks and have been keeping fish for over 10 years.

Ceramic fish filter media is not cheap. not a good idea as roots tend to stick to ceramic and clay so that would make repotting hard.

Large bark in clay pots would be best I think. Or just mount them.

Atalah · #33 01-19-2015, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowflake311

Ceramic fish filter media is not cheap. not a good idea as roots tend to stick to ceramic and clay so that would make repotting hard.

Woudn't that also happen with Leca/semi hydroponic clay ball media stuff (how do you call it... thingy?)

MamaLiberty · #34 01-19-2015, 11:59 AM

What about smooth pea gravel? I bought some to put into a muddy place in front, but have lots left over. I could mix it with bark, maybe?

snowflake311 · #35 01-19-2015, 12:57 PM

Rocks and bark I think would be good. Glass beads from a craft store would be good.

I am not sure about the hydroponic stuff I am sure some roots stick but it might not be too bad. Roots will hold into bark sometimes it's not a big deal.

AnonYMouse · #36 01-19-2015, 06:15 PM

If the aquarium stuff is LECA (light expanded clay aggregate), yes, you can pot in it. I grow all my Phals conventionally (wet then drain) in only LECA. Yes the roots do stick to it but since you don't have to replace the LECA, its not a problem.

If you are a wine drinker or know of one, save the cork stoppers. Broke another terracotta pot? Save the shards.

oscar freak · #37 01-20-2015, 02:25 AM

yes i am a wine drinker

and now i'v got a good excuse to drink more of it ha ha.i'v got a cattleya thats going to need to be potted soon,i'm hoping to correct the mistakes i made with the 1st one.

oscar freak · #38 01-27-2015, 09:04 AM

i bought a bag of small stones and a bag of orchid mix(just for the charcoal)thats the only way to get it here it seems.

Matorchid · #39 02-09-2015, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscar freak

i dont have space for mounting yet,and even the specialist orchid nurseries only sell bark mixtures so its going to have to be a diy mix.

,

Hello Oscae Freak,

If you are going to make DIY mix, you should checkout the different types of media at Repotme.com. They have all sizes, shapes available. You can buy a premaid mixes from them. You can also do select a blend. That way you what works for you

oscar freak · #40 02-09-2015, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matorchid

,

Hello Oscae Freak,

If you are going to make DIY mix, you should checkout the different types of media at Repotme.com. They have all sizes, shapes available. You can buy a premaid mixes from them. You can also do select a blend. That way you what works for you

thanks will check them out.hope its not to late for my poor plants the roots we 90% rotten.