What media do you use???

[OrchidsPlz]

I was doing some research on orchid medias and was wondering what the people on this forum use... I understand that pot size and species will alter the choice of media. I would like to make an "all purpose mix" or a mix that i can alter slightly for specific plants. Most of my plants are in 3" pots and was wondering what YOU use? I would love information on the orchid that you grow and flower...

[Leafmite]

It really depends on the orchids you are growing. Most of my orchids are either mounted or in basket pots/Vanda baskets with LECA or red lava rock. The exceptions are the Vanilla (I don't even know any more what mix I created), the Pleiones (small bark, moss, perlite and charcoal), the Platystele stenostachya (in a jar with NZ moss), the Acropera armeniaca (whatever Andy's uses--it seems to be live moss) and the Sievekingia fimbriata (same as the Acropera).
I try not to mess with the roots of my plants, orchids and non-orchids alike, so when I receive them, if they are in bark, I un-pot them right away and set them up so I don't need to mess with them again (basket pots can simply be dropped into a larger basket pot when the medium never decays).

[Fairorchids]

It is partly a question of what your collection consists of (do you concentrate on certain genera, or do you buy whatever strikes your fancy?), and partly a question of how much effort you want to put into your hobby.

If you are OK watering 2-3 times daily, you can grow everything in empty pots, on sticks or in rocks.

If you want to water every 2-3 days, you need some media in the pots.

If you want to water once a week, you need water retaining media in the pots. I am in this category, so I use granular mix (bark/charcoal/perlite) in large pots, with some seedling size bark mixed in for 3.1/2" & 4" pots, and a spaghnum/bark/charcoal mix for smaller pots, as well as my Vanda baskets.

[Leafmite]

Fairorchids is right. I have to water often with the mounted orchids and the ones in the basket pots so it isn't ideal for everyone. My favorite set up is the jar method as they need very little care (watered two or three times a month) but many orchids will not happily grow sealed in a jar.
Every type of medium has its advantages and disadvantages. Some work better in certain environments, too. This summer, we have had quite a bit of rain and I never had to worry about the roots but we have had very dry, hot summers when I have had to soak each orchid twice a day (I certainly wished I was using a moss/bark mix then!)

[OrchidsPlz]

Thank you for your replies! I tend to buy whatever i like the flower of, and am able to water every day if required. I am thinking of using a mixture of bark and leca for most of my smaller orchids. Thank you, again for the imformation!

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by OrchidsPlz

I am thinking of using a mixture of bark and leca for most of my smaller orchids.

Why?

FWIW, I use mostly inorganic media.

[Ray]

Asking folks what media they use is akin to asking "What should my favorite ice cream flavor be?".

The choice of potting media - even a "standard" one you can modify for different plants - depends a great deal on the growing conditions you can provide, and that is likely to be different from what others can provide. Add to that your individual watering habits and pot preference, and the variables increase.

Analyze your conditions - temperature, humidity, light levels, air movement - and consider how they will affect the evaporation of water from the medium. Then add in how much you like to "mess with" your plants, as that's usually a good indication of watering frequency you'll be comfortable with.

Next, understand how various potting media absorb, hold. and release water, and consider how the choice of particle size and the type of pot you will use affect that evaporation rate. Put those together, and you can come up with a "happy medium" (no pun intended) that will be good for a wide range of plants, possibly with a little here-and-there modifications.