Styrofoam pieces as plant medium use

[ladyslipper]

Hi guys, quick question (almost embarrassed to ask). I took delivery of a package today that had styrofoam pieces to protect the contents. There were quite a few pieces that were blue or yellow. Are these safe to add to a medium or should we stick to the white pieces.

Just had to ask in case having the coloured pieces so close to the plant would be toxic over time if in contact with water frequently.

m

[Gladys47]

I could be wrong but I have always heard the colored ones were the soy-based bad ones. Gladys

[kiki-do]

Hello M, I was told from an orchid greenhouse owner that to use only white, and soak it first to make sure they don't disintegrate....that tells me they are the right ones to use. I also use the real wine corks. My chids love them! However, more and more wine bottles are using plastic instead. kiki-do

[nenella]

hello,
I dont know about coloured ones but I do know that theres one type that melts - therefore not good !
heres 2 photos of what i have as "bad type" (first pic) and "ok type " hope this helps.....
as mentioned before best way is to "test" if you are not sure

[caseydoll]

Yup, white ones are good and the colored kind will melt into a yucky goo. They are biodegradable (sp?) which is great for the enviroment but bad for orchids. It probably won't hurt them but it will make you want to throw up when you repot! I just figure I'm recycling when I use the white ones.

[ladyslipper]

thanks everyone for your feedback. i will soak a few of the ones that came with the parcels, but they are all of the "bad" shape.

m