Peet moss or bark?

[Lexyfly]

I just got a new mini phal and was wonder ing if I should use peet moss or bark. It seems to be cocking the plant. Thanks for your help!

[Lagoon]

Hi ya!

I use both, I like the combo of bark and peatmoss. You can use 25% of peat and maybe add some perlite and toss in a pinch of charcoal if you happen to have it around too.

Peatmoss can really help reduce the waterings that just bark alone can't do, bark can be kept almost to dry at times.
Of course this does depend on you're conditions aswell.

Perhapes you can post them up, it'll help us help you more

[Lexyfly]

I keep them inside in my room. all I have is the peet moss it came in and alot of bark.

[Wynn Dee13]

Originally Posted by Lexyfly

I keep them inside in my room. all I have is the peet moss it came in and alot of bark.

Are you talking about peat moss or sphagnum moss? They are quite different when used with orchids. I would stay away from peat moss because it is too soil like. It depends on your watering habits and environment on what is best used. Many people seam to have a problem using sphagnum moss because they pack it too tight and water too much. I love sphag because I'm not someone who over waters. I grow almost all my orchids in sphagnum moss except for a few. But again it depends on your growing habits. If your Phal is still in the medium you bought it in I would say it is in sphagnum moss. They usually come in bark or sphag. You can use either as long as you water right.

[Lexyfly]

I have saphag moss then I did not know there were differ rent kinds of moss. thanks!

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Hi ya!

I use both, I like the combo of bark and peatmoss. You can use 25% of peat and maybe add some perlite and toss in a pinch of charcoal if you happen to have it around too.

Peatmoss can really help reduce the waterings that just bark alone can't do, bark can be kept almost to dry at times.
Of course this does depend on you're conditions aswell.

Perhapes you can post them up, it'll help us help you more

You posted on my thread recommending peat moss for east of repotting. then I left a question but never answered. so here I am!

I understand peatmoss is rather acidic. Is it safe to use on orchids? adding regular fertilizing, I wasn't too sure.
How long have you grown orchids using peat based media? how often do you repot?

I would love to switch many of my orchids to peat moss for ease of repot and moisture retention.

[billc]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

You posted on my thread recommending peat moss for east of repotting. then I left a question but never answered. so here I am!

I understand peatmoss is rather acidic. Is it safe to use on orchids? adding regular fertilizing, I wasn't too sure.
How long have you grown orchids using peat based media? how often do you repot?

I would love to switch many of my orchids to peat moss for ease of repot and moisture retention.

I think Gloria is talking about chunky peat moss, which has a much different consistency than the peat moss you generally find in a garden center.
It's toward the bottom of this page:
Home INDEX
I used to use in my mixes but can no longer find it locally. I never measured for PH, but the plants didn't seem to mind. It's easy to work with and a mix of a 1/3 bark, 1/3 peat and 1/3 sponge rock with a bit of charcoal works well on phals, paphs and oncidium intergenerics.

Bill

[dougbraz]

My mini phals seem to be doing fine in a mixture of sphagnum and small bark chips. They stay quite damper than larger phals.

[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

[Lexyfly]

Thanks guys!