What do you think about Aussie Gold mix for paphs?

[orchideya]

While searching for the Rands pots I came across this medium for paphs -
Aussie Gold orchid mix for paphs and phrags:

http://www.agrogreencanada.com/store...d&productId=50

What do you think about it? Is it worth to try considering that currently I use either Shultz bark mix or straight chc?
Thanks a lot

[dounoharm]

sounds interesting....i have never used it, but it would be neat to try some out....i like the idea of diatomite, i have used that in my own mix for years with good results...i dont know about reusing mix, thats something i would never have considered...it doesnt break down at all? what is the prime ingredient i wonder? give it a shot and let us know the results...gl

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The prime ingredient is, of course, diatomite!

Diatomite is a highly porous siliceous mudstone that consists mainly of the fossilized skeletons of ancient diatoms.

The other ingredients in Aussie Gold I'm not sure about.

[DelawareJim]

I grow all my Paphs in semi-hydroponics and they've been very happy.

Aussie Gold mix is Diatomite, coir fibre, charcoal, and perlite. I've had a Dendrobium kingianum in Aussie Gold for about 2 years now. It is growing no better or worse than my kingianum in straight LECA.

Cheers.
Jim

[myram]

I have used it for at least seven years and it saved all my orchids. Nothing else worked in my greenhouse because the temperature goes from 55 to 105, sometimes in a 24 hour period. Bark did not last and moss dried out too fast. I have about 400 plants and all except hanging vandas are in aussie gold. I have to water the vandas daily so the others get watered too. The plants are all doing great, some are 30 years old. I repot everything before putting it in the greenhouse and reuse the media. My biggest problem is the slugs that love a few of my LC.s and BLCs. Slugs need feeding (pellets) for these plants.