What is the Best Potting Medium?
 

Hello! I am getting my first orchid soon but like to do my research first. I am going to get a phalaenopsis orchid. I have been on a good number of websites and some say that bark is the best medium and others say that moss is the best. I was wondering what the members here find to be the best?

Thank you very much!

Matt

Welcome to OB! Personally, I have good luck with bark medium; I find it less likely that I would overwater, it doesn't pack down like moss so there is more air circulation around the roots, and a phal planted in bark doesn't need to be repotted as often. I only use moss in emergency situations where a chid has little or no roots left and needs to be nursed back. That being said, I also know some folks have good luck with moss. Also very important is using a pot that is not too big for your chid and has good drainage. I like the clear plastic pots with drainage on the bottom and slits on the sides. I use ceramic cach pots to display some orchids or if they are top heavy, but there is plenty of space between the plastic and cache pots.

Moss I despise on Phals. I use bark, but also mixed in with hydratron, charcoal, and coconut husk chips.

My point being, it all depends on how you are growing it, will dictate what you use.

I grow strictly outdoors and have to contend with monsoon rains, and high heat in the summer. I kill my phals by summers end and bring them back from the dead to gorgeous flowers in spring.

From no leaves this past fall to...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s/phalNOID.jpg
Grown in BOS mix.

I personally have never had good success potting Phals in moss.

I recommend bark as a potting media. If you must use moss as a top dressing to retain more moisture, then I think that's fine.

Some people have used CHC and that's fine too.

However, I don't pot my Phals I mount them onto a piece of cork bark. Just know that's an option as well.

Everything I've ever left in moss has done poorly. The moisture content is the problem...as well as the inconsistency from layer to layer within the pot. I even hesitate to buy an orchid in moss because they are usually in bloom at the time of purchase (and that can last for months) so it's some time before I can get them repotted and out of the moss. I do however, repot in coconut husks mixed with perlite, some charcoal and that's it. I find this mixture allows for air circulation, quick drainage and healthy root systems.

Thank you all! You have all been so helpful!

Matt

And then there is LECA for Semi-Hydoponic Culture which is what I use.

I either mount it or like Ted use strictly Leca for everything. I do have to water more often than most people.

I have one more related question. Where do you buy your mulch? Also, would either of these be good: Orchid Web: Bark (Rexius) - Medium or Orchid Web: Orchids Limited Standard Bark Mix - Medium ? Thank you for all of your help!

Matt

There is good advice about choosing the right medium here at Ray's site. Bear in mind that some people do prefer moss and it can really depend on your watering habits and the enviroment you live in. Ray tries to address the different points you should think about when choosing a medium.

Having said that I use bark and am happiest with that as well, and it seems for the majority of people it's the best.

The stuff at Orchid Web should be OK although as I don't live in the USA I've not tried it. Generally my advice is to buy from an orchid specialist as they will generally have the best quality stuff. The bark mixes you get at your standard gardening stores can be really bad, and have been sitting on the shelves a long time.

Another site I've heard is good (but not tried) is rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer which several people here have recomended in the past.