Orchiata bark vs. Better-Gro bark

[Orchid Whisperer]

Offering a different opinion here.
I have used both Orchiata and BetterGro.

I think Orchiata may be Ok for some plants. If I ever purchased more, I might try it with monopodials and other that only show slow horizontal growth. However, for most of my orchids (many Cattleya alliance plants) I use the BetterGro bark with good results. Adult Cattleyas always seem to outgrow the pot (2 to 3 years) before the bark breaks down. So, for me, I find the BetterGro product fits my needs better and is more economical.

[plantzzzzz]

Originally Posted by TomThumb

Ahhhhh I have some hoya cuttings and this is good to know. I was just going to use a succulent mix but I think i will try Orchiata instead. I was going to use a self-watering pot with my Hoya but if i use a bark medium should i just water normally?

It depends a lot on the species. Hoyas from cool and wet areas such as Bella and Retusa want to be constantly moist. I water them like oncidiums, constantly moist but never sitting in water. You can also grow them in sphagnum. I'm not sure if a self watering pot would work in bark, but if it does, yes they would love it.

Hoya Carnosa and related liked to dry out more, I do grow these but haven't had the chance to grow them in an epiphyte mix. They grow very slowly for me and I think it's the lack of light.

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Offering a different opinion here.
I have used both Orchiata and BetterGro.

I think Orchiata may be Ok for some plants. If I ever purchased more, I might try it with monopodials and other that only show slow horizontal growth. However, for most of my orchids (many Cattleya alliance plants) I use the BetterGro bark with good results. Adult Cattleyas always seem to outgrow the pot (2 to 3 years) before the bark breaks down. So, for me, I find the BetterGro product fits my needs better and is more economical.

This is a really good point actually... I've always just liked the uniformity. I may be wrong, but I'm not sure if BetterGro has bark that is as small as Orchiata?

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by plantzzzzz

Hoya Carnosa and related liked to dry out more, I do grow these but haven't had the chance to grow them in an epiphyte mix. They grow very slowly for me and I think it's the lack of light.

Remember Hoyas are epiphytic milkweeds. When ones like carnosa are happy they grow so vigorously they can outgrow their space quickly. They start in spring when weather warms, and don't stop until weather cools.

They don't like to dry out during the growing season. That right there will stop their growth. But being epiphytes, they also need lots of air in the potting mix. People who put them in heavy bagged potting soil find they can rot easily, so they have acquired the reputation of needing to be kept dry. This will keep them alive, but they won't grow much, if at all.

You can use a potting mix of 90% medium particle pumice, volcanic cinders or perlite, and 10% bagged potting soil. In this kind of medium you can water a lot, and they will grow happily. A bonus is you won't have to repot because the inorganic particles don't break down. Just top dress with a thin layer of organic matter each spring.

Also, in common with most tropical milkweeds, the warmer the better for lowland Hoyas. In shade, and well-watered, H. carnosa grows well in Phoenix summers outdoors.

[aliceinwl]

I had no idea Hoya were particular! We have one in a large hanging basket lined with coconut fiber and potted in miracle grow potting soil. It’s outside. I think we’ve had it for 10 or 15 years and it’s never been repotted. It’s a beast. It’s weathered extended periods of neglect so I’ve been thinking it was pretty much indestructible.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

I had no idea Hoya were particular! We have one in a large hanging basket lined with coconut fiber and potted in miracle grow potting soil. It’s outside. I think we’ve had it for 10 or 15 years and it’s never been repotted. It’s a beast. It’s weathered extended periods of neglect so I’ve been thinking it was pretty much indestructible.

Most Hoyas aren't particular, but few people grow them well. After this amount of time the potting soil in your basket (which is essentially sawdust and black charcoal) has been completely eaten up by soil microorganisms, and not much remains in that basket other than a tangle of roots. There will be plenty of air to the roots because there's not much to impede air flow.

I didn't mention that many people say Hoyas are set back severely when repotted. I don't believe that if they are repotted into a medium reasonable for epiphytes.