Moss- Questions! - Orchid Board

Cattleya17 · #1 08-11-2011, 10:12 AM

Hello i like moss i used to hate the stuff but now that i am a better grower and have alot more experience i really think it is an asset! so only one problem with the stuff. how do i pack it so that when i water it does not become soggy?

Also how, when re-potting, do you tell if the moss has broken down to the point you need to remove it? because i have a Cattleya that came in moss and i don't want to disturb the roots i would like to just set the basket into a new pot and let the plant and the roots just grow into the new moss through the basket.

Or i was thinking i would set it into its new pot and just add a different medium like lava rock around it and let it grow into the new pot through the basket.

so that brings us back to the issue of how do i know if the moss its already in is too broken down and needs to be removed?

Thanks guys for the help!!!!!!

camille1585 · #2 08-11-2011, 04:24 PM

Sphag breaks down pretty quickly and the general rule of thumb is yearly repotting when you use it. Old sphag tends to be brownish, soggy for longer and lost much of it's fluffiness. Aside from looks, as it breaks down it becomes more acidic which is another reason to repot into fresh medium.

Using 2 different media is not a good idea since the lava rock will need more more frequent watering than the sphag. I think your best bet is to repot it entirely into something else. The larger the container, the slower the sphag in the center will dry.

Cattleya17 · #3 08-11-2011, 04:37 PM

Thanks Camille! by your description i need to remove the old sphag when it makes some new roots, its texture is mealy. Its a Cattleya labiata Var Alba and it has buds in one of the two sheaths so if it makes some new growth this year(Fingers Crossed) i will be giving it a make over!

Lagoon · #4 08-11-2011, 05:33 PM

I think once you master this type of moss, its wonderful stuff. Thing is about sphagnum moss is you have to repot often, even before the year has ended.

I think its great growing media for younger plants that do need to be repotted more often as they are growing. I don't use much moss anymore but when I did I used it with sponge rok (very large grade of perlite) works really well. 50% moss & 50% bark work really together.

I've changed my sphag in for coconut chunks and coir (good grade is very important) Again using the large coarse perlite. It keeps everything airy and moist, best part is not having to repot as often as I did with the moss.

Repotting is much easier and takes less time. This coconut stuff really rocks!
Oh btw .... my labiata is growing in coconut and loves it.

Otis226 · #5 08-11-2011, 05:37 PM

Camille pretty much took the words out of my mouth. I wish you good luck with your catt. I'm just beginning to get the hang of watering myself. But that's my own fault since I like experimenting with so many different kinds of media and each one needs a different watering technique. I like moss as well, but here in FL in the summer it can be really tricky, so I use it on some of my indoor phals, but if they are out in the lanai, they'll only get some chopped sphag as part of the mix, and if its an outside 'chid, I won't use moss at all.
Best,
Tony

Cattleya17 · #6 08-11-2011, 08:53 PM

When you say coconut is that the same thing as CHC? because i have always loved bark! my to favorite growing mediums are Bark and Lava Rock the lava rock simply because it holds moisture and doesn't break down. Bark because it stays moist and drains excellently but it will break down.

I had two plants that were in sphag and i re potted them both today into bark. i put them in the stuff at the end of last year and i was surprised at how much it had changed! I'm glad i moved them into something else!

Can i see a picture of your Labiata in the coconut And also of the coconut i think i know what you are talking about.

Paul Mc · #7 08-11-2011, 09:12 PM

I too would like to see pics of the coconut material you referenced. I just got a vanda in something I have never seen before and I've been watering twice a day as I thought it would not retain moisture. I may be wrong. It's like long hairs. Sorry for hijacking this thread by the way. Just really curious about the coconut since I use sphagnum with my masdie's.

Lagoon · #8 08-11-2011, 09:41 PM

Yes, coconut husks chips or chunks = chc.
I get my coconut from Millenniumsoils coir.
Sure I'll take some photos'. I'll need to load up my software -- Try to get them for tomorrow.

Cattleya17 · #9 08-11-2011, 10:56 PM

Thanks alot. And Paul its no big thing

glengary54 · #10 08-12-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I too would like to see pics of the coconut material you referenced. I just got a vanda in something I have never seen before and I've been watering twice a day as I thought it would not retain moisture. I may be wrong. It's like long hairs. Sorry for hijacking this thread by the way. Just really curious about the coconut since I use sphagnum with my masdie's.

Paul - What your Vanda is in is shredded coconut coir fibers, the long fibers attached to the outside of the coconut shell. CHC is the same product cut into cubes with the outer most layer of the coconut still attached. I hope that made sense to you.