Is it wrong to grow all my orchids in sphag?

[hypersparkle]

Hi! Another question from me. I was browsing around and it seems like a lot of people are anti-sphag, especially for newbies. Here are the plants I have:
- 3 phals - one in bloom (see other post about spots), two small ones that I just got in 2" pots from Hauserman's

- 1 neofinetia falcata miniature (just got today from Hauserman's) - in bud

- 1 Leptotes Bicolor miniature (also just got today)

- 1 Sharry Baby in bloom (big plant)

What I'd like to do is repot them all in sphag and these baskets (http://www.orchidbasket.com/). I already repotted my bloom phal (got it from Lowe's, 'nuff said) and also the neofinetia falcata.

The reason I want to do this is:
- I under water a bit and live in a dry environment (Los Angeles). The sphag will keep it moist better.

- The basket eliminates the overwatering issue that people sometimes have with sphag.

- Sphag is easier in the baskets and causes less mess.

- Just to add, they are sitting on a humidity tray and I have a fan going in there too to help circulate the air as the office is a bit warmer than other rooms in the house, but it has the best light and I am able to keep the cats away.

I really like the baskets. They help prevent me from getting water all over the plant because I can just run the basket itself under the faucet or soak it in a bowl.

I just wanted to know if I'm being totally unrealistic here. Is my logic sound? Is it okay that I repot everything to be in these baskets with sphag?

I really appreciate your help everyone!

[kavanaru]

The problem with Sphag is that it is not easy to keep the right level of moistness all the time and/or in all environment for most of the people. There are many hobbyists and nurseries who use sphag though. It is just a matter of testing it under your conditions and check if it works.

Personally, I do not like Sphag very much. Especially not for big plants. However, I am trying it now with my Sedireas and Neofinetia but using the japanese traditional culture method ( Neofinetia potting Neofinetia Mini Project Cultural tips ) with very good results so far. I will also use it for some minis I have ordered, and which I think could work with this method too.

but anyway, as I said before, it is just a matter of testing it and check if it works for you...

[Dorothy]

I agree with Ramon, also be aware that sphag moss breaks down faster than bark or CHC (coconut husk chips) and must be replaced yearly (or when the moss becomes 'funky').

[quiltergal]

It may need to be replaced more often than yearly depending on the quality of the moss.

I also agree with Ramon. Keeping the moss evenly moist is challenging unless you are growing in a greenhouse. I had a few plants in moss but it was just too difficult to regulate the moisture. Either they were too dry or too wet. If you have a large collection repotting every 6-9 months can become quite a chore. For me the cons far outweighed the pros. Most everything I'm growing is now in a CHC mix.

[horses_too]

I've found that all of those, with the possible exception of the oncidium, will adapt nicely to good sphagnum. Repeat: GOOD! Get the XXX or better New Zealand which is readily available in 'hobby' or small bags at any number of the supply houses or even on ebay. The far more available stuff isn't worth the plastic bag it's in.

[hypersparkle]

Yeah, I have the nice stuff. I got it from calwesttropical.com.

Thanks for the info guys. Yeah I can see why it'd be hard. I think having the baskets makes it easier though because I can access the whole way around the plant really easily. Also, all of my plants are in my office so I am readily monitoring them.

I will get some orchid potting mix from calwest though for the oncidium. I will get the medium grade. Then I think I can still use the basket.

Thanks for all the really good info guys.

[horses_too]

One other option for using the basket is to carefully line the sides and bottom with moss (and you can actually use sheet moss to do that), and then pot your oncidium inside that lining using the calwest mix (their stuff is excellent, by the way). You can even basket terrestrials this way. Once you are terminally addicted to orchids, you find any number of ways to stretch your available growspace!

By the way, another good source of supplies is gardeningwarehousedirect. They have an excellent selection of those aircone pots among other things.

[Gin]

I grow a lot of mine that way the neos. species Phals. and hybrid Phals. Miltonopsis , and other species . a few Paphs. and a mini catt. or 2 . Yes I grow in a green house with a high pressure mist set up . I find it a lot easier to re-pot and monitor the watering in Spag. then in bark . The baskets are lined with coco fiber . Gin

[Des]

You might find that the spag will last a little longer if you mix in a little dolomite and gypsum every few months . It helps to keep the PH between 6.3 and 6.8 which stops the spag from turning too acid. It is this acidity that starts the breakdown of the spag. This method also works well for CHC.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

I agree with Ramon, also be aware that sphag moss breaks down faster than bark or CHC (coconut husk chips) and must be replaced yearly (or when the moss becomes 'funky').

Dorothy, what do you mean by "becomes 'funky'"?