Orchiata order...is the bark ok?

[KokeshiHappyGreen]

Thanks, Ray. As usual, very helpful and specific info 👍🏻

DeaC, I can see how it'd save time pre soaking...esp if one had a lot of orchids (maybe one day I will too!)

Roberta, I see the value in the heavier clay pots, and for evaporative cooling. I think it'd be something for me to keep in mind once my B little stars got bigger perhaps. I actually already have a number of new unglazed pots in storage bin. Thanks for the info 😬

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by KokeshiHappyGreen

Orchid Whisperer, is there a specific reason why you recommend clay pot? (It was suggested to me, as a newbie, to stick with clear orchid pots...and I Do like being able to see roots and how wet the media looks at least superficially.) I'm wondering if clay would make things a bit too cool for my little stars and in the past one thing I noticed across many types of media and containers was that cold and damp created lots of mold issues. That's why I was going more for warmer and dryer And only having the one orchid it won't be a problem watering more often if need be.

I find that Cattleya alliance roots stay healthier and for longer in terracotta. The unglazed ceramic wicks excess moisture away from the roots more efficiently than a non-porous pot.

HOWEVER . . . I am a big fan of doing what works for you. If you have had good experience using plastic, then you may not need to change a thing. Also, with the Orchiata holding less moisture the issue of wicking away moisture could be less of a concern.

[KokeshiHappyGreen]

Thanks, OrchidWhisperer. Good to know. Guess I'll just see how the plastic and Orchiata does for now...esp since I'm new.

Out of curiosity, I know some (like Danny/Miss Orchid Girl) have had issues with roots getting desiccated and/or overly attached to the sides of clay pots. Have You experienced that? If so, was there anything that helped prevent it? What are growing conditions?

Thanks

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by KokeshiHappyGreen

Out of curiosity, I know some (like Danny/Miss Orchid Girl) have had issues with roots getting desiccated and/or overly attached to the sides of clay pots. Have You experienced that? If so, was there anything that helped prevent it? What are growing conditions?

Thanks

Sometimes roots stick. If I'm staying in the same size pot, I just shake out the loose bark and don't try to remove all the old stuff. If going to something else, I break the pot, remove what isn't attached, leave the attached pieces in there in the new basket (usually) or pot. The roots adhere because they like the moisture and air that they get at that interface... who am I to argue with an orchid? Terracotta pots are cheap. Actually, no matter what pot or media, I don't try to remove anything that is stuck to a good root. A bit of old bark, or pot, won't hurt anything. Protecting and preserving good roots is far more important than any aesthetic considerations

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by KokeshiHappyGreen

Thanks, OrchidWhisperer. Good to know. Guess I'll just see how the plastic and Orchiata does for now...esp since I'm new.

Out of curiosity, I know some (like Danny/Miss Orchid Girl) have had issues with roots getting desiccated and/or overly attached to the sides of clay pots. Have You experienced that? If so, was there anything that helped prevent it? What are growing conditions?

Thanks

I've never had issues with orchid roots becoming desiccated due to attachment to terracotta.

The roots do become strongly attached. My trick for loosening them: (1) Put the pot/root ball in a bucket larger in diameter and deeper than the pot. Fill with water to just over the rim of the pot, soak at least overnight, upr to 24 hours. (2) Sometimes the soak is enough to get the roots to loosen their grip. You can then sometimes wiggle the plant in the pot and it will let go. If not: (3) I will take a thin flexible (but stiff) piece of plastic and slide it between the roots and the pot. I find that expired bus passes often do the job for me. You could use a piece of plastic from a deli container lid the same way. The roots come loose fairly easily with minimal damage.

[KokeshiHappyGreen]

I find that expired bus passes often do the job for me. You could use a piece of plastic from a deli container lid the same way

That's tooo funny 😂
But a great tip 👍🏻

[Orchid Whisperer]

Srsly, the bus passes are nearly the perfect tool for this!

[greenpassion]

Hmmm. Interesting. I thought for some reason that orchiata actually stayed moist longer than bark. Not sure why I thought that...Anyway, I use it mixed with bark, perlite and charcoal, and sometimes a little moss too. I really like it.

[Ray]

Orchiata will hold moisture for a long time, but it either has to age quite a while in the pot first, or you will have to have pretreated it correctly.

You DO NOT want to soak Orchiata bark, as that can extract the dolomitic lime they cured it with. Instead, I slowly pour very hot water over it - enough to wet it, not drown it. Wait 30 minutes and repeat. Once it's cool, it will be "open" enough to absorb a lot more moisture than the untreated stuff.

[greenpassion]

Oh great. I've been pre-soaking my Orchiata bark prior to repotting! You'd think there would be instructions on the bag NOT to pre-soak! Have I hurt my orchids Ray?