Rock Wool

[theroc1217]

Does anyone use Rock wool for growing their orchids? The conservator of our greenhouse keeps a lot of her orchids in rock wool because it doesn't break down and prevents fungal infections to a degree.

[RosieC]

I've bought ones in it. But it holds to much water for my growing habits.

[Ray]

There are different rockwools with varying degrees of hydrophobicity or hydrophyllicity, but I have always found it tough to find the right balance.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I have 1 orchid growing in it. It is difficult to get it right. I was lucky this particular one worked out. It almost didn't.

[Island Girl]

One time, awhile back, I got an Onc. Twinkle in it (in a rock wool plug, potted into a larger pot w/ sphag.), and when I went to repot it, it was so very difficult to get the rock wool off of the roots, that I ended up doing so much damage I killed it.... Granted, I was a newbie then, and the repot was done at the wrong time. But I don't think I could get that stuff off of the thin roots nowadays! I can see how it would be hard for most ppl to get the watering right, I had that problem as well - no doubt I would still have that problem.

[theroc1217]

It doesn't break down, so we just pull them out of the pot and add more wool in a larger pot.