Keeping all Orchids in sphagnum moss

[HiOrcDen]

So, I am wondering, is there any drawback to keeping all of one's Orchids in sphagnum moss, simply so that you will not need to water as often as with bark, and so forth? That's all I wanted to ask!

[estación seca]

If your growing conditions are appropriate, and you learn how to water with sphagnum, it can be used very successfully. Problems arise with warm-growing orchids in too-cool conditions, and with watering too heavily, so the air spaces in the sphagnum disappear.

[HiOrcDen]

Thanks so much for the advice. So I think I'm watering my moss moderately, I just gradually water until water just starts to drip through the pot, not letting it run through awhile like I do with wood chips. And of course I water the moss less often. It would prolly save me at least an average of about an hour per day to use all sphagnum!

[Ray]

Since moving to NC, I have had to move away from sphagnum, as it just decomposes too fast in the hot, humid conditions.

It’s great, but repotting every 6 months was not what I wanted to do.

[estación seca]

You might be watering too heavily. People who use sphagnum recommend only running water over the top of the moss for a second or two, that's all. The water diffuses through the moss leaving it barely damp. Water shouldn't run out the bottom of the pot.

For some orchids that use a lot of water in hot times of the year you might get away with heavier watering.

[Leafmite]

I gave the NZ sphagnum moss a try with some Cattleyas last year and they did great until mid-winter when the roots began to suffer. One had no good roots. I had to move them to lava rock. The Zygos, however, are still very happy in moss. If you have warmer temperatures, it works great but if you have a cooler winter, not so much for some orchids.