What constitutes an "airy mix?

[Dollythehun]

I'm fixin' to repot a small Promenaea xanthina. Culture sheet said " airy moisture retentative mix. Water from below." So, what mix fits that bill? It's not happy in moss...

.

[rbarata]

Hi Carol

It's been a while....

airy moisture retentative mix

A few "ingredients" comes to mind...
something with perlite+Leca+cork chips+all the rest

[Leafmite]

What pot and what grade of moss? My choice would be New Zealand Moss AAAA (or AAA if the other is difficult to find) in a basket-type pot just large enough for the roots, set in a larger clear plastic container. I find that I always need to pair the moss with basket-pots or something very shallow so that enough air can get to the roots.

If this is not working, there are many other options....

Large chunks of rock wool with a basket pot

Large chunks of coconut or coir (check out Roberts Flower supply--he has very good mixes and can recommend them, too, if you contact him).

mount the orchid on a tree fern mount and put the end in water to let the water wick up to the roots.

I put a little Paph delenatii in charcoal and perlite/basket pot and keep water on the bottom. Seems happy.

I have a Phrag. in LECA/basket pot and keep water on the bottom. It is also happy.

You could mount this on a slab and just faithfully water often. I have orchids with these requirements and find that, mounted, they do quite well in my terrarium.

I am not certain where you bought it but many vendors are very nice about giving advice. I have called various vendors and just asked them what they would recommend for my conditions...not surprisingly, they were very happy to help.

Good luck!

[Dollythehun]

Yes, rbarata. Good to hear from you. I only use AAA or better moss. I use Repotme's moss mix, which I love. I have large coconut husk which I could sort for finer pieces. This is a tiny plant, large anything would swamp it. I do have net pots, I might try that. I also have synthic. I wonder if that would work? No more mounts for me e.v.e.r.

[Leafmite]

With moss, I never let the sides of my basket pot stray too far from the root mass. I have tried using moss with a regular pot but that has never fared well for me, not with any orchid. I use moss for my Nelly Isler, the pleuros, some of my Bulbos and the Phals...all in basket pots that are barely large enough to contain the roots.

Had a bad experience with mounts, have you? I find I need to use mounts in an enclosed space or the roots get too dry, too quickly, even with the wicking action. I think that is why mounted orchids really thrive in a greenhouse and not so much in the home (unless grown in a wardian case or terrarium).

[Ray]

Since moving to North Carolina and switching to outdoor/windowsill growing, sphagnum has become my friend.

I use it in Air-Cone, or net pots only, and is much as possible set the pots in shallow trays to water from below, avoiding compressing the moss.

[Dollythehun]

Well, Ray, that's mostly what I do. I think I'm going to go that route with this one with a net pot.