Phrag. potting mix
 

I'm interested in what you guy like to use for potting mix.

I just got my first Phrag. I got a Phrag. schlimii and its potted in a hanging basket with moss. I would like to pot it to make it easier to care for. I was going to use diatomite but it almost impossible to find now days with out breaking the bank.

I was thinking about grow stones.?.?. I know I would have to put the pot in standing water. Other than that I'm clueless.

I'm open to ideas....

Semi-hydroponics, using LECA, is a very good way to grow most, if not all phrags.

Let me add that I would not use Grow Stones, as being made from recycled soda-lime bottles, the pH might be too high, and the amount of sodium released may not sit well with most orchids, particularly those that like to stay wet.

If you're not going the semi-hydroponics route, my phrags seem very happy in coconut fiber. It holds the moisture well and doesn't break down too quickly. Just my humble opinion!

:)

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1304303724


a picture will save you a thousand words :)

I pot all of my Den. in coco along with some others. I really like it.

I'm thinking about using clay balls as Ray suggested with a tray with 1/2 - 3/4" of water.

Ray- I got an email back from grow stones and they claim that the media is PH neutral, and doesn't leach any sodium. With that said.... I paid to much for this plant to experiment.

experiment some :)

Edison tried a 1000 times before he got a light bulb to work..We would all be in the dark if he had given up :)

I have had no ill effects from using grow stones but I also found it gave no advantage to any other media and cost twice as much

I use coconut chips (small) combined with some perlite........works really well.

There was another thread here than an individual tested the pH and found it to creep upward over time. I don't know if it was leqaching or accumulation from fertilizer that caused that, but either is plausible.

I don't know the reason, but a lot of phrag growers have switched away from CHC.

In a way, this is an experiment for me but I'm looking for a tried and trued method. My lady would kill me if I killed her schlimii!!!!!! :blushing: LOL

I would be happy if I could find some diatomite for a reasonable price!!!!

I have read that this Phrag. needs an acidic PH. But I haven't found how acidic. So, what would you guys recommend for a PH range?

Ray- Would you recommend a circulation system or a tray with air stones?

That can happen if repotting every very years but if people repot every year like I do then it doesn't happen. Most Australian growers have moved towards it which is interesting. I guess it goes in cycles.