Advice on Cymbidium Mix

[lindad3406]

I am using a blend of cypress, peat and perlite, For 8 gallons it costs $10 with shipping of $19, I am looking for something cheaper I can use, I like this mix, but hey, looking to cut my cost, Any suggestions? The wind blew my cyms over and need to replace mix, Sorry for my comma's instead of periods, My grandson broke my key

[smweaver]

Linda, if you want an easy-to-use and long-lasting substance for your cymbidiums that won't cost you a fortune, give coconut husk chunks a try. I get mine from a place called Tropical Plant Products in Orlando, FL (http://www.tropicalplantproducts.com/) and it's not hugely expensive. Best of all, my cymbidiums love the stuff and make extensive root systems throughout their pots. I use the coarse-grade chunks; however, you can probably find compressed bricks of the smaller-grade chunks at your local garden center (Lowe's carries them too) if you didn't want to deal with shipping costs.

Steve

[Royal]

I was going to suggest coconut husk chips (CHC) too. I tried them for the first time after reading some info here on the OB and my Cymbidiums have really perked up. They seem to love it. I make a mix by just adding a little seedling mix or pearlite or just regular bark mix to large CHC. It stays nice and moist for a good while, but stays airy and fluffy at the same time. Just be sure to pre-soak for a day or two changing the water a few times. This will leach any salts out.

[Des]

Yes I agree CHC is the best I have been using it for a number of years now and cymbidiums thrive in it .The wind can really blow here in Port Elizabeth (The windy city) and at the moment is blowing a rip roaring easterly gale ! , not good for cymbidium pots !!
As I have about a 1000 plants under shade-clothe I have had to come up with a method of stopping them from blowing over ,or I would spend my day picking up plants !
I use two methods, as the the wind only blows pots over that are near to the edge of the bench I anchor them down using wire springs,which I make by wrapping thin galvanized wire around a pipe. Hooks are bent on each end and at least three springs are clipped from the pot to the wire bench .
The other way is to use your old pots filled with sand or stone on the outer edges of the problem areas.
If you are going to use CHC you are going to have pots that are a bit lighter than before ,so you might have to consider using one of the above methods .

[lindad3406]

Thanks all, I will try that,

Linda

[orchids3]

Linda,
The advise about CHC is good but I mix mine at 50% CHC and 50% Stalite Gravel. The Stalite is a porous gravel used for making Precast Concrete structures and is heat expanded schale. The local gravel yeard gives it to me at a very good price. To this mix I add a cup per gallon of dolomite lime, a cup of gypsun and a cup of crushed sea shells. My plants grow well for me with good upright stiff leaves due to the calcium I get with the mix and the Cal Mag fertilizers I use. Oh yes another benefit of the gravel is good weight. When the plants do get knocked off the bench they usually land upright and have been thru a huricane that tore trees out of the ground but the cymbidiums stayed on the bench.

[Bolero]

Yep CHC is great and plain bark should also work well.

Cymbidiums are pretty easy to grow in just about anything.

[SueK]

I agree with Bolero. I grow mine in large bark. They are very easy to grow. I have mine outside under the dappled light of some big pine trees cos my orchid house is not big enough to take cymbids. They are very happy and are flourishing without any pampering. Forget the expensive stuff - not necessary for cymbids.

Sue

[orchids3]

Sue K - If you can grow a 3 inch seedling to flower in three years your mix is good - if not you need to find a better mix.

[lindad3406]

Thanks everyone, for the advice/ I have just thrown everything I have ( small CHC, med fir bark and cypress shavings with a little charcoal and peak thrown in for good measure/) Good to know they aren't picky