Moss- Questions!

[Queenslander]

I'd like to see the photos too, Pretty Please.

[glengary54]

Here are links to pix of both coir and CHC:

http://helium-international-trading1...cated_Husk.jpg

Orchid Web: Coconut Husk Chips

[Lagoon]

Hi ya's,

Sorry for the delay, I've been house hunting.
I think Glen covered the coconut chips pretty well I didn't see the coir - did I miss it somewhere?

Anyways here's my lousy catt labiata picture

[glengary54]

Gloria,

The coir is pictured, if you click the first link in the above post.

[Lagoon]

Ooh that's the fiber. Not the peat like coir I know. Stop trying to confuse me Glen

[Cattleya17]

Thanks a ton guys!!!!!!! all great things to know! i also just one a Cattleya Labiata Var Rubra also from Kawamoto orchids!!! i feel bad because i Sniped someone in the last 7 seconds of the auction! It has one Sheath with buds and Three New Leads! im thinking that they will produce sheaths as well. a 14 p-bulb plant three new leads 5 inch pot one sheath im really excited!

The labiata i posted about originally is making new roots now but the sheath is showing some buds inside i want to get it out of the moss. if i repot it will it abort the buds? i really want it out of the moss! It has snails i found them tonight in the rain. i want it out of that stuff. Will it abort?

[glengary54]

If you are gentle with the roots as you remove the old medium and add the new medium, there shouldn't be a problem. I would suggest that you soak the new medium so that it doesn't dry out the roots to much.

[glengary54]

Now, now Gloria, surely you are not that easily confused. I've read thru some of your posts and you seem to be on top of things. lol

[Ray]

Back to the moss a minute - one of the issues is its tendency to collapse upon repeated waterings. There are several ways to postpone that:

1) Use only top-quality sphagnum, as it tends to be fluffier and more mechanically stable.

2) Mix the coconut husk fiber strands with the strands of moss - at acts like a gently "foundation" to hold it up and keep it airy.

3) "Moisten", don't "soak" the moss, so it won't collapse under its own wet weight. I have found that putting a couple inches of LECA at the bottom of the pot, the moss on top, and then standing it in a tray of water is a great method. The LECA wicks up the water to the moss, which takes it on up from there.

[Cattleya17]

I was able to get it out of the moss! and i repotted it because it was making new roots at the base of the two new growths so it was prime opportunity! i did have to cut off a few of the roots... if i lose the flowers then I guess i will just loose them. I know myself and if i grew it in moss i would kill it! so i used tweezers to pick all of the moss of each root!

It took 2 Days!!!!! and then i used water to rinse off the rest of the moss that i couldn't get to. So i will hope for the best and if it blooms then you will see a post from me in The Cattleya Section! lol

Thanks guys for all the help Sincerely,Sam!