Using Pearlite with Phrags? - Orchid Board

Elk Point Kid · #1 01-26-2009, 09:24 PM

Has anyone ever used pearlite to grow phrags in? I remember reading an article at one time where a grower was using only pearlite to grow his orchids. Wouldn't this be similar to S-H culture? If anyone knows where to find that website I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Undergrounder · #2 01-26-2009, 11:53 PM

I like pearlite except i find the pear juice tends to be too sugary for Phrags. Phals love it though:

I think the perlite article you're looking for is this one:

Perlite Article

Undergrounder · #3 01-26-2009, 11:56 PM

Oh P.S. I use perlite for growing Phals in also. I find it good for Phal seedlings, but for the adult ones LECA is probably better. Perlite gives off a fine dust that can stick to and burn leaves if not washed off. For Phrags though i think it could possibly be quite a good medium, but again, so would LECA.

Ray · #4 01-27-2009, 07:42 PM

My very first experiments in what led to semi-hydroponics was with perlite. The trouble is that it is quite friable, so over time a sludge will form at the bottom of the pot that suffocates the roots.

Elk Point Kid · #5 01-27-2009, 09:11 PM

Ray,
I'm not happy with the bark mixture that my phrags came in last year. I want to change the media so what do you recommend?........would it help to change the perlite more frequently.

Lagoon · #6 01-27-2009, 09:38 PM

Sphagnum moss works really well for my phrags.

Undergrounder · #7 01-28-2009, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

My very first experiments in what led to semi-hydroponics was with perlite. The trouble is that it is quite friable, so over time a sludge will form at the bottom of the pot that suffocates the roots.

Yes it's better to use normal pots with a saucer of water with perlite.

Ray · #8 01-28-2009, 08:57 AM

EPK - I tried a lot of experiments - perlite (grade 4), 50/50 perlite and coarse charcoal, straight charcoal, pumice, stalite - all sorts of things, before settling on LECA. Even then I experimented with lots of brands before finding one that suited my needed.

I believe LECA is the best overall choice for semi-hydroponics.

Elk Point Kid · #9 01-28-2009, 07:59 PM

Lagoon,
Thanks for the information....I use moss on my phals and it works quite well. I have lots of moss so I think I'll try your method. Do you pot them the same as Phals or do you something different?

Lagoon · #10 01-29-2009, 08:24 AM

Elk,

If you use moss for you're phals, then I'm sure you will love the moss for phrags. I also use moss for phals and catts.

With my phrags I mix in some large perlite for drainage and air, it works really well. I also in the last 6 months have been mixing in some smallish bark with the sphagnum moss. I do this to avoid and compactness (is that a word?)

I began to use the bark because of the dust that perlite creates - you don't wanna breath that stuff in. So bark works well too - about 25% of bark to the chilean moss.

Sometime this year I'll be trying out some good quality peatmoss.