Repotting several orchids.

[Jenn4a]

Right now I have: LECA, Charcoal, perlite, rockwool cubes, and dry spag. ..
I do have Better-Gro Special Orchid Mix bark, it looks coarse. I really prefer to use anything but bark. I will try to provide the orchids with the right watering and fertilizing demands. If needed, I'll repot ones that aren't happy with the leca mix.
I can use both tap and RO water, and I have: Dyna Gro liquid rooting hormone, liquid 7-9-5 fertilizer, Better Gro solid 20-14-13 fertilizer, physan 20, Copper Fungicide spray, and generic Cleary's Systemic Fungicide.

I'm experiencing multiple bug issues, and some fungal or bacterial problems with some orchids. Some of these just need to be repotted because the medium is decomposing. I have most of my orchids separated by where/when I got them.

I am repotting my Paph. Ho Chi Minh today or tomorrow. I have it unpotted, and I removed the infected leaf (suspected erwinia.) I also cut some of the short roots that were rotted to the top as best as I could. There's a couple of long roots with brown near the top, but they feel firm; I'm not familiar with paph roots, so I won't cut them unless they become mushy. The medium was fine bark at the top, but mainly spag. There were some springtails too..
Does this sound okay for the Paph HCM?
50% leca
25% fine - med. perlite
10-15% rockwool
10-15% charcoal
I'm not really sure what ratio would be best, and this definitely won't be precisely measured or anything.

I'm also seeing some wet red areas on my phrag fritz Schomburg. It really needs to be repotted anyways because the bark is decomposed, and I suspect bugs. The good news is that I see new root growth coming out of the bottom
Not sure of the ratios I will use or if it needs a 3" or 4" pot. (currently in 2.5")

Will also be repotting these soon:
Darwinara: currently in 3-3.5", has bugs and decomposed bark.
Phal NoID: 4" moving to 5", has springtails, either mealies or scale, and decomposed medium.
Paph. Sukhakulii: Bud blasted about a week ago, and seller said repotting 1" up in size will be fine after it is done blooming.

I'm open to suggestions, and corrections of course! Sorry if this was all disorganized. My head is all over the place right now.
Thanks guys, I'm sorry for having so many threads up.. and being so thorough!

[Cym Ladye]

What is wrong with bark? Each genera you list can successfully be potted in it. Before doing any repotting, it would be wise to get rid of your bugs!

[WhiteRabbit]

I pot Paphs in fine fir bark mix (mostly bark, with some perlite); remember that Paphs generally like to remain lightly moist.

Phals and Darwinara, I'd use medium fir bark mix, and you can add whatever else you like to aid in drainage, aeration, and drying.

Using a skewer in pots can be very helpful in determining when to water, and as such can ease the anxiety over potting media and mix.

[Jenn4a]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

I pot Paphs in fine fir bark mix (mostly bark, with some perlite); remember that Paphs generally like to remain lightly moist.

Phals and Darwinara, I'd use medium fir bark mix, and you can add whatever else you like to aid in drainage, aeration, and drying.

Using a skewer in pots can be very helpful in determining when to water, and as such can ease the anxiety over potting media and mix.

Thanks
I'll be using clear pots so it won't be too hard. It is a little difficult for me to tell when I can't see through the pots, but I'm getting better by judging the weight, and by checking for moisture at the bottom.

Should I wait to repot those orchids with bugs? I've read that repotting helps get rid of bugs. It seems that the ones with bugs really need to be repotted because the medium is decomposing. A lot of small bits of bark and such fall out when I water, or some of the medium looks compacted without air movement.

Honestly, I'm not "thrilled" with bark; I can't really explain it. It seems like orchids that arrive in bark need to be repotted ASAP, but maybe that's just a coincidence. Bark also seems to carry/attract bugs, but again, I don't really have enough experience to know for sure. Repotting looks much easier with LECA than bark *I have some sickly Catts in LECA, and they seem to be stabilizing; it's definitely easier to unpot with LECA if needed.*. I also like the idea of being able to reuse cleaned potting mix.

Am I making a big mistake by not using bark? I don't want to kill all of them by not using it, so if I have to, I will order appropriate barks for each one.

[AnonYMouse]

Repotting plants already in LECA is simple. If everything is healthy, just drop-pot into a larger pot and add more LECA.

---------- Post added at 05:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:27 PM ----------

You need to get the bugs under control. Repotting and cleaning the plants is part of it but if you don't have a good plan to control the pests, all the repotting is not going to do any good.

Media preference is individual. Use what you feel comfortable with. You listed 5 types of media for blending. It's really not necessary. The plants don't care! Keep it simple and mind your watering and feedings.

[Jenn4a]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Repotting plants already in LECA is simple. If everything is healthy, just drop-pot into a larger pot and add more LECA.

---------- Post added at 05:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:27 PM ----------

You need to get the bugs under control. Repotting and cleaning the plants is part of it but if you don't have a good plan to control the pests, all the repotting is not going to do any good.

Ahh okay, thanks for being straight forward. much appreciated. Okay, so I do have Bayer's advanced 3 in 1 Insect, disease & mite control, and Safer Brand insect killing soap.
I was planning on using safer's as a contact spray, and then a Bayer's soak for the next watering. Is this okay or do I need to do something else?

[AnonYMouse]

I'll let someone else answer the pesticide question.

(We need a running-away or taking-cover smilie).

[oscar freak]

[QUOTE=WhiteRabbit;7259

Using a skewer in pots can be very helpful in determining when to water, and as such can ease the anxiety over potting media and mix. [/QUOTE]

my skewers are actually coming out mouldy,my anxiety knows no bounds lol

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Jenn4a

Ahh okay, thanks for being straight forward. much appreciated. Okay, so I do have Bayer's advanced 3 in 1 Insect, disease & mite control, and Safer Brand insect killing soap.
I was planning on using safer's as a contact spray, and then a Bayer's soak for the next watering. Is this okay or do I need to do something else?

I have used the Bayer 3 in 1 as directed on the label and suggest you do the same. Two sprays within 10-14 days should solve the problem as remember, this is not just a contact spray but a systemic one. DO NOT use more than directed or more frequently than advised with any pesticide is a good rule to follow.

[Leafmite]

I don't do well with bark for the orchids and, after trying LECA, I have no regrets. It is very nice not to have to pot the orchids into new medium every year or, in December, do an emergency re-pot for a Cattleya due to the medium retaining too much water. LECA saves quite a bit of money over the long-term, too. Moving the orchid to a larger pot is easier, too, as you don't need to pick off the old pieces of bark and, as already said, you just drop the entire thing into the larger pot. I do use sphagnum moss now and then but mostly, I have relied on red lava rock and LECA as my mediums.
The first replacement medium I used was red-lava rock. I even grew Paphs in this with success (watered daily or twice a day). I do like the LECA better as it doesn't do as much harm to the roots when you first re-pot orchids into it. I think LECA is the perfect medium.

I would be careful to read and follow all those cautions when using pesticides. Believe me, if the chemical companies did not have to put these warnings on the bottles, they wouldn't. However, the effects of pesticides and fungicides are well known and documented and by using them safely, you minimize the risks.