Making Mix! Need Feedback

[Matorchid]

Hello all,

I was wondering about mixes and have read certain threads about densities of mixes.I wanted to make my own that might work for my Dendros, Zygos, Paphs,and hopefully Oncidiums. I know all these like the more finers and smaller product we all get. I typically get my mixes through a very reputable company, but just wanted to experiement a little, plus it seems that most of the mixes are very coarse and this hasnt workedso well for me. They just dont seem to hold plant well, hence the experiment to find a smaller finer mix that works well with thses kinds of families. I do know most all of plants that fall under the ones I just mentioned like to have a damp not soggy media.
So I know alot of whats in this mix may be (will be) over kill, but still intrested in everyones opinion before I actually use it this evening.
Ok this is the recipe as I made it,
4c sm raw fir bark
2c sphag/peat moss
2c crushed coir
1c seedling mix
2c sm perilite
1c pumice
1c xsm granite chips
1c sm charcoal
1c sm red lava rock
1c sm black lava rock
1/2c oyster shell

Thats the recipe as it stands out, and these are all materials bought at my local stores without hydroponic or specialty stores being involved. Also without online store, does anyone in our community that lives close by know where to get large chunk sponge rock? Cannot find it even in hydro stores.

Your criticism is very important, without it, one cannot change anything Look forward to your reply, and will get a pic or 2 up

Tony'Matomo' "Matorchid" Briceno

"All things in life will grow, but how well will it grow if you love it properly" my Grandfather.

[cbuchman]

I find that the more air to the airs the better (within reason). I stake or clip repotted orchid to hold them steady until they reestablish.

The finer the mix the more moisture it will hold. I adjust the moisture retentive portions of my mix based on the orchid being repotted. I've found that a one-size fits all doesn't work for me. Of course, you can always adjust your base mix.

Over the last few months. I've been making my potting mix chunkier and using tree fern to hold it open more. The downside is that I am having to learn (again) when to water what. So far, the response has been good (multiple new growths where previously there was only 1 and roots everywhere.) - so Ii am happy with my direction.

My advice is to observe your orchids and see how they respond to this potting media.

[Ray]

Personally, I think it's going to be too dense, and will suffocate the roots of your plants.

Small particles will fit in between the larger ones, and smaller ones will fit in between those, and so on. The smaller the spaces, the more easily surface tension can fill the voids with water and stifle air flow.

[stonedragonfarms]

Great question. First, let me state that it's an overgeneralization that the genera you've listed all like a "smaller, finer" blend; while that is certainly the case for some of the Dendrobiums, Oncidiums & Paphiopedilums, I would not lump Zygopetalums into that statement, unless we are strictly talking about unflowered 1-2 pseudobulb seedlings.
It would be helpful to know what sort of pots you are intending to grow in as well as where you will be growing; ie outdoors, inside, in the greenhouse, etc.; it would also be good to know if you are growing species dendrobiums/paphs or hybrids. If you are looking for a general AP mix, I'd fabricate something along the lines of a 1:1:1 blend of small bark, medium bark & small perlite.
Adam

PS: I see that you are in California; if there is a supplier of Rexius bark in your locale, they should be able to order you a bulk bag of medium/large perlite. I'm not sure of it is a Rexius product, but they sell it out of their landscaping center here in Eugene.

[Matorchid]

Hello all,
Thank you for your recent posts.

Ok so I know we don't want soggy media, but with bigger stuff that im using, tends to dry out very quickly, with that like about a day or 2 max with my temp and surroundings. The reason why I hoping to make a mix like this is cause these things are coming in like sphagnum/peat perlite mix and seem to do ok. (Al be it haven't watered it much because. This I believe is zygo related came that way and seems to be doing ok. When I asked about my plant they referred me to Cym mix that is really nothing more than peat. I know they aren't supposed to have soggy conditions, just damp. In my own way of thinking I was thinking smaller, the density was what I was thinking might be the issue not size. I planted a Dendro noble in mix that was large pieces he had never seemed to like it, still. But another one I have is doing great in the peat mixture. Maybe I will just leave it for this time and try it another time. I will try to get some pics up to show

[Matorchid]

Sorry bout sideways still can't figure it out
This Dendro has lg chunks I was talking about and not to happy and drys very quickly lik half a day to one day.

[Matorchid]

And this is mix in question

[cbuchman]

If drying too quickly, try adding some broken up sphagnum moss to the mix and/or some large perlite.

[stonedragonfarms]

You might also try adding pumice in place of perlite in the mix.

[Matorchid]

Ok will do Thank you