Quote:
Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer
Care to explain why? I always put packing peanuts or Styrofoam chunks in the bottom of larger pots, usually mixed in with organic medium. I find the inert styro materials help to keep drainage open in the bottom of the pot, without breaking down. Repurposing peanuts/styro also saves me from having to use more bark to pot a plant.
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Interesting point of view, but my experience has been a little different. Bought around a dozen young Cattleyas in 2.5" pots a few months ago, all seemingly healthy plants. Shortly after, I noticed blackening leaves on a couple of the plants. Decided to take them out of their pots to see what was going on - turns out that the plants were killing themselves through their own healthiness. The roots had grown so much and so strongly that they were pushing down on the styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the pots, causing the styrofoam to block off the drainage holes. Saved one of the two afflicted, may the other rest in peace. I now review all my new purchases for styrofoam, and, if I find it, I repot immediately, using pieces of volcanic rock. Doesn't block the holes so easily, and altogether more natural than inflated plastic.
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