Epiweb? - Orchid Board

ScottMcC · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006, 10:42 AM

OK, I've seen Ray advertising a new product called epiweb, which apparently is a synthetic tree fern fiber substitute. To me, it looks pretty sweet, especially for plants that need a lot of air around their roots like the vandaceous group.

Has anyone tried it yet? Any ideas of what plants specifically would do well in it?

justatypn · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006, 10:51 AM

Good question Doc, saw this yesterday on his site an wondering myself the benefits of this product, and chid lovers experiences.

cb977 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006, 10:55 AM

Okay Ray...the floor is yours.....educate us

Tindomul · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006, 09:19 PM

Could this stuff be good for Paphs? as a substitute to sphag. moss?

Marty · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006, 12:23 AM

Probably not a good sub for sphagnum moss. It's virtually the same as tree fern, except made from recycled plastics. It's pretty sweet ! You can use it to mount things. I believe he has pots that are made of the stuff too.

I'm sure Ray won't mind that I'll borrow a pic from his site... Epiweb compares to TF like so:

ScottMcC · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006, 10:40 AM

my new vandofinetia is in a clay pot with coco fiber, but I was kinda thinking all epiweb might be a better choice...any ideas?

ScottMcC · #7 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 07:07 AM

update: I just ordered more s/h pots and primeagra, and convinced Ray to send me a small sample of epiweb to check out, so I'll keep everyone posted as to my impressions.

ScottMcC · #8 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 06:52 PM

another update: I received my sample of epiweb, and it definitely looks interesting. so far it seems like it doesn't retain much moisture, although it does hold a few big drops here and there. The material is incredibly lightweight and porous. The fibers are much finer than I had envisioned, and also much more widely spaced and stiffer--it's not very compressible at all.

I don't think I have enough to pot up anything with it, which isn't surprising since it's just a free sample, but so far it seems like it would be best for those plants that like to dry exceedingly rapidly and which require a lot of air at their roots.

further updates to follow once I get a chance to look at it a little bit more.

Tindomul · #9 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 11:07 PM

I think it gets softer when wet. people are trying it everywhere for epiphytic plants.

ScottMcC · #10 (**permalink**) 07-14-2006, 07:32 AM

it still doesn't seem very soft at all after soaking overnight in water, and it dries quite quickly. results may be different for the big slabs or for a larger amount--I only have about 10 little inch-sized cubes.