Forest moss, dendrobium, paph.,bulbo, psychopsis (nb: 21 pics…)
 

This thread is about potting in forest moss, and what I think about it. What works for me, might not work for you. But the idea behind repotting, and seeing how the plant reacts goes for all plants and media. We need to try to give each plant an environment to thrive in, depending on how our growing environment are.

Mostly have dendrobiums in this, but started to put more plants in it this year. Not my phalaenopsis, though- only those with thinner roots. Sometimes I use moss alone, sometimes mix it with other things. Depending on the pot, and the plant.

I had tried the moss from the flower-shop, but that wasnt any good. In a desperate moment I decided to try forest moss- those used for terrarium. I was a bit skeptical at first. Issues with moss: dry at the top- really wet at bottom, wet in the middle, getting compact and wet in an annoying way, hard to get moist when its dried all up, etc.etc.
And this moss seemed very wet at first, and a bit odd in the texture when touching it- stiffer maybe (but still soft). And it looks kinda ugly after a short time, that made me even more skeptical.
But: I love it. Somehow the upper layer is more like a lid- both keeping it moist underneath, and making sure everything stays in place without compacting. Its airy, easy to water. I can soak it, or I can water from the top- everything just stays the same. It dries very even- and its behaving in a way I really appreciate, so I dont mind the ugly look. Plants? Well, lets see:

NoId Dendrobium.
Repotted in forest moss and a bit of bark one year ago. Top two pictures shows the plant last year. (Potted in this after being in bark, all dried up- I kinda grew phals then, and didnt know better.)
Bottom two shows the plant this year, and the moss is still airy and nice. Plant is having buds this year, so I assume it likes the new media. First time in years. Also: kept outside for a month, guess that helped aswell. Media gave it more water and nutrition, compared to bark.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...869848a85c.jpg

Needs a repot in the spring, roots happily growing in the moss.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...11e227b46f.jpg


I forgot to turn the plant, so the flowers are gonna be on the "wrong" side.

1.august
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ea45a63dc7.jpg

Today
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...67bca25ec5.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...26620a4d74.jpg

Bought this in april, because I liked the flowers. Repotted, but new growth didnt grow in that direction. And I didnt like the mix afterall- pot very airy, sometimes I leave it a pot to prevent drying too quickly. Forest moss, bark on top.

Plant in april
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...631d797db0.jpg

Flowers
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...80bbde99d9.jpg

Repotting again in august, removing old roots, making sure new growth has space.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ff25dedb1f.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...8da2cd038d.jpg

Dendrobium Stratiotes
Bought in april, and repotted. Discovered it actually was two plants. Decided to repot them in two pots, in forest moss.

When I got it in april, and after repotting.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...a6d8548ceb.jpg

In august. Seems to be doing fine, and moss is still airy- picture taken after soaking the pot.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...4aeee54e85.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...134dd29436.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...585b2f0b08.jpg


I have more plants in forest moss, here are some of them- and how this summer has been.
Many plants doesnt like repotting, but there is one thing they like even less than repotting: being in a bad mix. I always repot if I'm not sure about the old media.
Sometimes I repot again, if the plant is not responding well, or show signs of not liking it. (After its done sulking, that is- some are really fussy. Bulbos tend to shrivel a bit, and protest for a while before getting happy again)

Psychopsis Mariposa 'GV'. Bark and forest moss in layers. Bought and repotted in april. Flowered two times. (Two flowers in one spike the last time). Growing a new spike, and a new growth.
Old mix, in new mix- besides- only one spike in all those bulbs. This plant can do better.

Repotted and trimmed the roots in april.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...3190c5884a.jpg

Flowers in July
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...69ef5ee612.jpg

Plant in august
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...cb8a0e0f23.jpg


Bulbophyllum rufinum
Bought and repotted in forest moss in april
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...3c3c6ff415.jpg

Plant in august (you can see how ugly the moss is, I often cover it with bark or gravel. Some might like it, I think it looks really old. But its not- still doing the job)
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...3673de84f5.jpg


Paphiopedilum maudiae vinicolor 'schwarze madonna'
Bought and repotted in forest moss (with bark, stones, leca) in april.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...5ae13096e6.jpg

After repotting
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...50c07edfc1.jpg

Today? Beautiful like a black swan. I'm waiting for this beauty to unfold.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d8f92e57f4.jpg

Nutrition depends on the plant. Watering depends on the plant, the pot, and the mix.
For now this is something that works very well for me and my plants. For phalaenopsis I use bark- and I'm not planning on changing that anytime soon. They are happy in bark.

Not sure how long it lasts- but I plan on repotting the first next year, and then the moss is atleast two years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Everything is looking healthy and pristine. My orchids sit on the windowsills and are dusty and have dog hairs over them.

Forest moss, dendrobium, paph.,bulbo, psychopsis (nb: 21 pics…)
 

Thanks :) I dust them every week, sometimes every other week. All 50-60 of them😜 Small and big ones. Gives me an oppurtunity to consider water/nutrition. I look for signs, and try to keep them healthy. Have not much chemicals, so cant afford many sick ones, cause I can only prevent. (Havent seen anything in the shops here either) Have one spray. For emergencies. Thats it.

Not really very concerned. They are hardy, especially when they are in good media and pot. Like to observe them, and likes roots and leaves just as much as flowers.

And I like reading about them. I grow all my orchids in windowsills, humidity 30%, temperature about 22C. Funny thing- if I keep other factors okay, they seem to adjust. (Some plants have higher humidity in their environment due to pot or container)

Its relaxing :)



Edit: and I learnt a new word 'pristine', didnt know that one. Thanks- I love learning something new. And google is my friend. (I just love google :) :) )

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like the idea of trying new things as growing medium. If the moss works for you, and the plants like it, no reason not to use it!

I have not had much luck with Paphiopedilum in the past. The only one I have had in the past few years is a Paphiopedilum fairrieanum hybrid. It was not dying (like two other Paphs I used to have) but was not growing either. It has one leaf 'fan' growing 2 new leaves per year, replacing 2 leaves that yellowed. Going nowhere.

I had to change something. I had been growing in a mix based on bark, perlite, charcoal and a little chopped sphagnum. I re-potted, the bottom half of the pot is mostly bark and very coarse sand with some crushed eggshell and styrofoam chunks. The top of the pot contains forest floor litter from the small woods in my back yard, it is composed mostly of decomposed pine needles, leaf fragments, small twigs and so on, with a very small amount of clay.

My Paphiopedilum fairrieanum hybrid loves it. Six new and larger leaves this summer! It is also sprouting from the base. I think it may be trying to bloom!

My point is, you have found something novel that works for you. Keep using the forest most as long as it keeps working and you are happy with the results.

Do you aplied a special treatement to the collected moss before use? Fongicide and insecticide ? I yes what is your method ? Thanks in advance for your informations.

Envoyé de mon Nexus 9 en utilisant Tapatalk

Oh, sorry- I should have said I didnt collect it. I bought exo terra forest moss (bricks). I assumed if those small terrarium animals like it, maybe my orchids would aswell. Its in brick, so- I just soak it really well, then press the water out. Put in pot- voilá. Thats it.

One has been in the same mix for over a year, moss still works really well. (The dendrobium nobile with flowers)

I bought it because we have a pet store not far away, in a desperate moment. The moss at the flower shop wasnt any good, so I might aswell give it a try. It grows on me. But not for my phals, still fan of bark.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can't wait to see the paph bloom. I'm glad it is working for you. It spagh moss isn't it?

Exo terra forest moss :)
And some stones, leca, and bark. Mostly forest moss :)

Yeah- she is really starting to open/getting fatter now. Some more weeks and I will see the colors she has hidden inside. My first paph to bloom, so well- lol, I'm gonna end with buying even more afterwards- aint I? 😜😂


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Helene,

I assume that the Exo Terra 'forest moss' = spaghnum (hvidmos paa dansk). You can find that in bogs in many countries. My dad used to collect it in a bog on Sjaelland, and I have seen it in several locations here in NJ. It probably grows at least in southern Norway as well.

I still use spaghnum/bark mix for all my Vandaceous orchids, and a chopped spaghnum/bark/charcoal mix for all seedlings, as well as Dendrobiums.

Looking at your photos, it could look like you are using it a little too loose. If it is not packed firmly into the pot (as hard as you can press with your fingers), it holds too much water.

I had to search the exo terra forest moss- says it is "plume moss" (I didnt find the translation to norwegian for that one)

I know the moss is supposed to be more compact, but somehow this moss acts really well both ways. Maybe thats why I actually can use it without screwing everything up :p

I love Denmark btw- been there several times, both to check schools (Mentiqa), buy plants (Hans Christiansen), and of course vacation. Love your country :)
(We did decide to stay in Norway- we did consider moving.)

Yeah, I live on a mountain with forest nearby, so I could collect. But then again I'm afraid of getting bugs in my orchids- so bought the pressed and dry one :p





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have been to Norway several times in 2011-2014, incredibly expensive these days. That alone should be a good reason to move to DK.

Yes, Hans Christiansen has a good assortment (he was an apprentice in my dad's orchid nursery), so I know him well. I try to get there whenever I go back to DK.