What is your opinion on orchid potting mix?
 

At the moment my Phals are doing fairly good, but they are drying out fairly often.

I water about every 5-7 days, and i use a water tester to make sure that they are not too dry or wet.

They are potted the same mix that they were bought it. It looks like a fine dirt, perlite and coconut husk.

My question is what is everyone using for there phals or other orchids?

sphag moss, coco, or fir? Whats better?

The resident "potting-mix lady" at my orchid society recommended fine-grade fir bark (with some perlite mixed in) when I had some repotting to do (a couple Phal hybrids) about a month ago. Since it was so recent, I can't say much as to it's success as a potting mix, although so far the plants look quite happy.

Did you have to order the perlite and fine fir bark online? If so where, because I noticed your from Canada too, and I haven't been having any luck finding good orchid shops online that have reasonable shipping to Canada. I've looked in the gardening centers but am only finding bark chips which is there version of an orchid mix.

Personally I favour bark, but definately take a look at the link that Ray gave as the choice can depend on many factors.

Hi
Being in the UK like Rosie I also favour the bark chips but have found that spagnum moss holds the water so perhaps that is the way for you to go in Canada. You can buy that almost anywhere it comes either fresh or dried. The dried has to be soaked to rehydrate it.
Joan :waving

No, I didn't order it online, I bought it straight from her table at my orchid society. You might want to have a look to see if there are any orchid societies in your area; you can often get better plants and supplies there cheaper than anywhere else.

Sorry I can't be of more help...:(

I pot my Phals in about 1/3 moss and 2/3 bark and i have one in s/h as well

Ray's linked article is very good. Potting media is very much a personal choice, almost as challenging as finding the ideal spouse!

I grow my phals under lights indoors. Even with a humidifier, things dry out fast and I don't have time to water frequently. I use Chilean long fiber sphagnum and it works great for me. The secret is to pack it around the roots very loosely. I'm still experimenting with what to use in the bottom of the pots - gave up on styrofoam peanuts, now using large chunks of fir bark, in process of switching over to aircone pots instead.

If I move the plants into the darker living areas while they bloom, I have to cut way back on the watering.

I'm a heavy waterer, so I gave up on moss. I'm now using 1/2 coir and 1/2 bark. My phals seem to be doing well, but I dunno. I think I'm going to try the 100% coconut husk chips or 100% coconut husk fiber on a couple and see how they do. I have phals in different places and water according to when the roots dry out.