Peet moss or bark?

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Ooh I'm sorry, didn't realize, must have missed it somewhere

Chunky peatmoss isn't ready available. I use the farfard brand, african voilet mix- its pretty good
Sure peatmoss is acid lower 6.2 ph levels - orchids love it. You can combind charcoal to help steady the PH balance. As the peat ages it will become less acid over time. I do add some bark and perlite.

I grow catts, dens, phals, paphs, phrags and others in this mix. I've been using this since I got into orchids, didn't know I wasn't supposed too and got called a mud grower Fine with me, orchids thrive for me using peatmoss.

Repotting can be once per year or every 3rd year, it depends on the growth - its a freekin' breeze with peat
I use ferts 1/2 strengh every second week 7-5-6, I believe.

With any new mix, go slow, learn it before you put the collection into it.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask

Thank you so much, Gloria!

I do have more questions. You mentioned how you use about 25% peat moss and then add perlite and charcoal. Then you mentioned mixing bark and peat moss.
Can you specify roughly how much of everythingn you mix? Peat moss, bark, perlite, and charcoal.

So you use regualr peat moss that is designed to be used for African Violet, right? Many of those mix has slow release fertilizers already mixed in. The one you use is fertilizer free?

Also, how do you water? water little bit at a time to keep the media moist?
I think the peat moss might come out through the drainge holes like crazy each time otherwise?
Oh, and speaking of that, what do you use at the bottom of pots to keep peat moss from "leaking out" when watering?

Last one, pot size. I would think that orchids, especially decent sized ones or ones with tall heavy spikes, might get wobbly in peat moss based media.
Staking solves the problem or do you just use smallest possible pots?

Many thanks in advance!

[Lagoon]

You're welcome Just a slight correction on the name brand ... its' Fafard. Yes it does contain some lime.

It's a bit hard to pin point the exact amount per pot, since I use more peat in the mix with my phrags. Used alot of peat when I had oncidiums.

You can keep things really simple -- for a 3 - 4in pot, you can use 3 tablespoons then add 2 tablespoons of perlite with the rest of the addition of bark.
I use a smallish bark and when I have it I use some charcoal.

What the peat will help with is the large waterings that you need to do with bark. It really cut down on so much of it and gets thing moist much faster saves water time and energy.When I water I water through out the mix causing some dripping. You will have a good weight to it also.

As far as the peat draining thru out the pot -- you can use a touch of sphag or even bark in the bottom. Sometimes when I have it I use small marble or even coffee liners. I'm sure you'll find something to suit you're needs

Peatmoss mixes work very well in my opinion- but its like anything, you'll have to adapt to you're own conditions. One thing I love about using peatmoss, its such a easy pick up and you're local store

I really don't have any wobble factor or atlease no more wobble then any other mix. I will always allow min of 35 % space room for roots to grow. They grow fast in peat for sure.

[NYCorchidman]

Thank you again for your detailed kind information, Gloria!

So, you use a little bit of peat moss then. 3 table spoons for 3, 4 inch pot doesn't seem like much at all to me. I'm sure it will definitely up the water retention though. Or is it rough measurement? If I tried peat moss as half the mix ingredient, that would be a bit too much making the mix stay too wet too long, right? hmmm

I used to grow many African Violets and some of my tropical plants grow in peat moss (with a tiny bit of perlite). I just thought with peat moss being the main ingredient of the mix, the mix will stay a bit too wet for regular orchids unless it is phrags and certain oncidiums.
You seem to use just a little bit as sort of like a conditioner.

I have a large bag of seedling mix which has small grade bark with charcoal and perlite already in it.
So I geuss I will go get some African Violet mix ( I guess it is ok to get one from any store, or have you tried a few different brands and came up with that specific brand?)

[NYCorchidman]

Gloria, for oncidiums, do you just use peat moss and perlite???

I just went back to your old comment on my thread and was curious.
Many of the oncidiums I buy do come potted in what appears to be dark brown moss of very fine grade. When I take them out of that mix, that super wrinkly pbs start to show.

I know you use more peat moss for phrags you mentioned, but for all other orchids, do you pretty much use the same ratio of mix ingredients???

Thanks in advance!

[Lagoon]

Ooh sure glad to help out

You would be surprise what a few tablespoons could do along with some bark in a smallish pot. The was an example of what you or anyone could start with

You wanna keep this mix moist, draining and open.Peat is a tight media, the bark will help keep things more open and the perlite with add in drainge.*very important*

With my oncids & phrags I used up to 50% to 70% of peat. Then some bark, perlite with some chacoal. I like my mixtures moist but don't like to see anything take up to 2 weeks to water again - some folks do,I don't.

For me its 5 to 7 days to water. Besides you surely don't need asmuch as just bark alone.

The peat I was using before for years was a CIL brand. Its no longer available - its not better then I one I have now, Its just what I had available. The fafard brand its likey better -- atlease It does contain some perlite and lime - so no or very low feedings for a few weeks.


I know some ppl use 50 peat and 50 perlite and like it that way - many grow phals this way.
Its important to use perlite as its sticks to the peat otherwise the water does not drain as freely. It could take a long while to go down and just look like a clumpy mess.

So you have to customize this mix to suit you're growing conditions.

I like to make the peatmoss moist before any use and just keep tossing it til its not so heavy and wet - one this is done then add my perlite then the bark and when on hard ... use some charcoal.

Normally I make this mix 24 to 48hrs before I use it. Peatmoss goes along way, so don't go crazy until you really get the feel for the knack. All I can say is .. I love it and been using it for 11 years now. Tried many other media's and worked out well for me but there's just something about the peatmoss I keep going back too. Orchids just LOVE it. The repotting is so easy, NO more broken roots to deal with and its so quick, makes repotting abreeze

[NYCorchidman]

Thanks again, Gloria!

Wow~ 11 years of experience! Now that makes this mix a proven way to go!

[Lagoon]

You're very welcome

I hope you and maybe a few others do try this out. Its a different way to grow orchids, but it works!!

If you get stuck with anything send me a post or PM. I'd be glad to help you out