Recipe

[Sara]

I have some petite orchids that are in a fine medium. Does anyone have some recipes for making your own potting medium for these little guys? The orchids I have now that would need this kind of potitng medium are Dendrobium 'Iki' and Cattleya 'Otaara Hidden Gold'.

[kiki-do]

I too have Dendrobium 'Iki' and she is one of my favorites. I have mine in a small plastic (airy) basket hanging. I have it in bark and spanish moss. I water it periodically. What has worked for me is less watering and feeding, but daily misting. This seems to cause alot of new growth and budding. Have you had yours blossom yet? Soooo cute! I'm not familiar with your particular Cattleyea, but I have all mine in a mix of bark, perlite, fine coconut husk, and charcoal. Hope that helps, but I'm sure many here on OB have other recipes.
kiki-do

[Sandy4453]

Sarah, orchids can grow in anything or in nothing at all. What you pot your orchids in is only one of the requirements to giving them what they need. So, if you've already provided good air movement and light, because Dends. and Cattleyas typically like a lot of light and where you have them growing, can then be determined what you pot them in.

In general, I can tell you that Cattls. and Dends. need to dry out and can remain dry longer than most genera. Seedling and younger orchids. will need to dry but followed up with watering sooner than matured ones. A medium of choice for a lot of growers is bark ( mixed with some charcoal and perlite). If mounted, sphag. near it's roots to provide some moisture. Growers are having a lot of success with LECA as well. I know of a nursery near my home where they grow all their Catts. and Dends. in Hydroton, nothing else. The Phals. get some coir, charcoal and perlite added but the Cattleyas get nothing but the Hydroton.

Whatever mix you choose, remember to let these 2 dry out inbetween watering, good air circulating and high light.

Best of luck with this and let us know if you need more specifics.

Happy growing!

[Sandy4453]

One more thing I forgot to mention. If you've got any Nobile Dendrobiums, they require a rest during these months with very little watering from now through January.

One hour later.....

And something most important I (again) forgot to mention Sara. HUMIDITY!!!!!

[Sara]

Hi Kiki! My Iki hasn't bloomed yet, and I've had for a year now. Maybe I gave it too much water during the winter, I'm not really sure. But ihas grown some nice canes this year. So far all my orchids are either in plasic, or glazed ceramic. Most of my orchids are in a Southern window, with mini blinds for some shade. I usually do some misting, but I don't always remeber. Some are in dry wells, but not all. I figure that since most of orchids are together with the drywells and the misting, that there is enough humdity. My oncidium is blloming for the first time since I bought it, so I must be doing something right!