How much media do you need? Seramis vs Perlite
 

Hi, I wanted to ask you guys about two things (I tried to reflect that in the tittle).

First, I have never repoted and I want to do a mass repot of all my orchids, how much media do you need on average? Im lookin up media in stores but I dont know how much will I need.

And second, perlite vs seramis? both hold a lot of water and give air to the roots, do have experience using them? wich one would you use?

What kind of orchids are you gonna repot? (I ask because I dont use perlite with phalaenopsis, only bark. Actually I use perlite mostly with plants that go in soil, and not orchids. Do have some in only perlite, and I do have some perlite in with some seedlings)

The easiest way is to figure out the size of the pot- usually says how many liters the pot are, and you need pretty much the same amount of potting media. (A little less, roots take some space- but it will give you a clue)

If you use bark, there will be air for the roots. Adding perlite can actually make it less airy. Mixing smaller and bigger particles makes it less airy. If you use bark, the bark will leave airpockets anyway.

Best of luck with the repotting :)


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Seramis is quite airy too, I wanted to use like a mix of bark, seramis and expanded clay in different proportions for each type of orchid. I think I've decided to go for seramis as I know a lot of people have success with it. How much volumen has a regular 12 cm pot?

You will need to switch this to centimeters and liters but here is a nice chart I copied from somewhere long ago. I have found this to be a pretty good guide when I buy materials for new plants. Good luck with your orchids!

4" pot= pint (0.5 quart)
5-6" pot = quart (0.25 gallon)
7-8" pot= 1 gallon
8.5" pot = 2 gallon
10" pot = 3 gallon
12" pot = 5 gallon
14" pot= 7 gallon
16" pot= 10 gallon
18" pot = 15 gallon
24" pot = 25 gallon
30" pot= 30 gallon

OMG this is gold, thank you!.I'm used to translate measures cause I bake a lot, if only everybody could use the metric system xD

I wish the US would switch over, too. I have no idea why we have not. In the seventies and early eighties, everyone thought we would. It really would not be that difficult. The rest of the world has managed.