Spagnum with bark

[jenni_orchid]

My catts and dendrobiums are shriveled no matter how much I water. I am in Western Colorado with less than ten percent humidity.

I am thinking of adding spagnum to the bark. Is this a bad idea??

If I do add spagnum to the bark, do I mix it in with the bark, or just put it on top?? I have never used spagnum before and know nothing about how to use it.

Any help is greatly appreciated by me and my poor orchids.

[Roberta]

First, have you checked root systems... if roots are not good, no amount of water will help because the plant lacks the ability to absorb it (and more moisture can make things worse) If roots are good, perhaps just use smaller bark (which will hold more water)

If you were to use a combination, I'd suggest mixing the sphag into the bark... if put on top, it might tend to choke off air, and/or dry out so fast that it's not helpful. Basically, anything on the surface is going to dry fast. You want to keep a little more moisture down in the pot. If nights are staying above about 65 deg F., you could water in the evening. If not, then water first thing in the morning to maximize the time that the plants have to absorb water before the heat (and extra-low humidity) of the day hits.

[DeaC]

Hi Jenni. Just to add to expert advise from Roberta. You want to soak the moss first. A little goes a long way and it absorbs many times its weight. Wring it out a bit before mixing in with the bark. I always seem to soak more than I need but wring it out and store in plastic bag.