Potting media discussion/poll

[Psyguy10]

Hey everybody.
Well, I have been thinking and I thought it would be interesting to do a potting media poll/discussion about the pros vs. cons of several choices. In my opinion it would be fun to have it in a poll (Of course, I think it's obvious which mixture will win!).

The points of this thread are:

Which potting mixtures/methods work well for you.
Which media are you the happiest with.
what are your favorite ratios of ingredients.

Also, it is recommended you give a brief overview of your growing enclosure/area/whatever-the-heck-you-wanna-call-it.

Let the voting begin.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Hey there Matt.

I actually prefer different media depending on the type of plant, where it's going to be, etc.

For example:

1) mounted vandas: my large vandas are bareroot in clay/vanda baskets
2) my other mounted orchids: teakwood with some moss
3) phalaenopsis (not mounted) are in a mixture of coir, perlite and agricultural charcoal. They love this mix and this is the only way I can grow a phal. (I only have 2 potted this way)
4) cattleyas, laelias: are in aircone pots with hydroton. This works fantastically well for me.
5) renantheras: the small ones are in #4, the larger ones are in clay pots with hydroton to hold them up.
6) seedlings: moss in 2x2 aircone pots.
7) miniatures in office: in moss. they are in ERIN pots.
8) I have 2 orchids mounted on orange osage planks. One has taken off (the schomburgkia) and the other one is still sulking.

~I just bought some applewood chunks to see how that will work out for mounting material
~I'm having some vanda baskets made out of clay as I don't like the look of rotting vanda basket. (smirk)
~I generally stay away from bark, moss, CHC, anything that holds a lot of moisture. I grow 99% of my orchids outside and I live in Miami.


So, I guess the short answer, while I never use some potting media, it depends on what needs what. I realized I'm a chronic overwaterer, which is something I battle constantly, so I choose media on the dry side of the spectrum.

[neb]

If I had to chouse just one product for potting I would have to say coco chunks but I do like to use different things when I have different plants

[dounoharm]

i use different media for different plants....phals get big chunky bark with perlite diatomite and charcoal...., catts get big chunky bark or chc whichever i have handy with diatomite and charcoal, paphs and small stock get small bark with perlite and charcoal, vandas get big stones of lava rock to hold them in the pots....thats about it, and i mix the media as needed....i grow in a greenhouse in central north carolina....

[Gin]

I use diffrent things depending on the plant , bark with charcoal and perlite , moss, hydroton . and nothing at all ..

[WhiteRabbit]

I too use different media for different plants - but over-all predominantly chc.
I have found treefern fiber a good medium for some vandaceous types
Recently potted a catt into straight pumice and it's doing well.

When using chc, bark or treefern as 'main' medium, I always use a fair amount of perlite and/or pumice, and a bit of charcoal

I have one plant in straight sphag.
A couple in straight perllite - passive hydro

I grow inside and outside

[LinhT]

Hi Matt

I love moss. I don't have much variety in my collection but for most of what I have, moss works the best (for me).

a few Phals & 1 Bulbo in straight regular NZ sphag

Paphs & Phrags in CHC mix (something like...20% charcoal, 20% perlite and 60% CHC chunks)

Cym goeringii & sinense in large grade Kanuma pumice

Neos, Sedireas, Dend. moniliforme in 5A moss mounds

I grow on the windows during Spring through Fall and add T5's during the winter.

[quiltergal]

Most everything I have is potted in CHC mixed with perlite and charcoal. I only water once a week (don't have time to fuss over the chids every day), and CHC retains water a bit longer than bark. Half of my Onc alliance plants are in S/H. I also have several stick mounted plants.

[RosieC]

I use predominatly CHC. I mix it with either large or small bark depending on the plant, and some perlite in there as well.

When I bought the CHC I planned it as something to add to the bark, but I find now that I use mixes with mostly CHC and a small amount of bark mixed in.

I have one little Masdie growing in a very small moss pot. That seems to be working well for that pot size.

[flowerpower]

I was using bark until recently where I tried a commercial mix of bark with peat. Im not keen on this at all. Very dense and I can almost see the roots looking smothered - don't know why the manufacturer used this but it probably has more to do with customer expectations than what is good for the orchids.

I have no certainty over how wet the mix is.

I am going back to using tried-and-tested medium grade fir bark, I like the aspect of control over moisture this provides my Phals.