What type of media to use... any one used Miracle Gro mix?

[QHMaverick]

I live in the North East, and during this time of year, the heat runs frequently. I have humidifiers going, and I also have two large aquariums which put out a lot of moisture.

I have 2 Phal noids. one is currently blooming, the other is in spike. I had no option but to repot the one in spike, since when I got it, it literally was out of it's container. The only thing I could find to put in the container on an emergency basis was Med grade fir bark. When I check the media, every other day it is very dry. It is in a clay pot, sitting inside a decorative plastic pot.

I have been looking around for Orchid media at my local nurseries, but the only thing I can find is Miracle Gro Orchid mix... and no one in the stores can tell me what type of media this is... not to mention it has fertilizer mixed in, and I'm not sure if my noids will like that.

Has anyone used Miracle Gro media? Should I go with my gut instinct and stay away from it and look somewhere else? What is best media for Phals? Open to any suggestions... really getting hooked on these funky little plants.

[scy]

I just repotted my phal in bark. Did you presoak the bark overnight in water? It helps the bark retain water better. Also, I water mine by soaking it in water for about 10-15 minutes to make sure that the medium has absorbed a good amount of water.

I would not recommend the Miracle Gro Orchid Mix as it seems more like a terrestrial mix based on the picture. Also, there is a person who posted a review on Home Depot's website that said it suffocated the roots of her phal.

[RosieC]

I've heard bad things about Miracle Grow Orchid Mix. As scy has said, it's too close to a terrestrial mix.

My advice is don't use the stuff from local garden shops. If they are orchid specialists they should be all right (but those probably stock something better than Miracle Gro) but in general none specialists have the stuff on the shelf for a long time and it's kept to damp and is going off and decaying before you even get it home.

I almost killed 3 phals with the bark my local garden center sold, for just this reason (I was too much of a newbie at the time to realise the problem).

Get something from an orchid specialist. www.repotme.com is meant to be good (I would use it if I was in the USA, but I use more local ones here). It's worth the extra money for postage because it's not going to kill your plants for you.

[Daethen]

I have used the Miracle Grow mix when I didn't have a choice. I would never use it again! It is too much like dirt. Way to heavy. I went to our local orchid greenhouse and got some bark. It was not moist when I got it. If you have already repotted into a bark mix and didn't soak it, give it a good soak with the plant in it and it will be fine.

[Orchid126]

The problem with Miracle Gro mix is that it starts breaking down quickly and then the roots rot in it.

The medium grade fir bark, as scy says, needs to be soaked for several hours or overnight before you use it. It's been kiln dried and water runs right off of the outer shell. It needs to be conditioned first by soaking.

[Paul Mc]

I have used both the Miracle Gro and bark for my phal's. I will say that I had more issues with them when they were planted in the Miracle Gro than in bark.

You are correct that initially the bark will have trouble retaining water. The suggestion someone made about soaking it in water when you are watering for about 10 to 15 minutes is a good one, but I might shorten the time spent soaking down quite a bit and be sure the water is room temperature (especially during the winter months when the water can be frigid). You don't want the water to damage the plant for you. The issue with bark is that you really have to monitor it because as it begins to degrade and break down it will retain more water the further along it gets (all be it that this will be about a year or longer).

I use the RePotMe.com's mixes very successfully for all of my plants now.

What you pot your orchids in really depends upon your enviroment (humidity levels), your own personal watering habits (under/overwatering, or just right), and what you think works best for you overall (access).

Best of luck to you!

[Orchid126]

Yes, bark does start breaking down, but plants can live in it for one or two years before it does. If you didn't presoak the bark, set the pot in water for a couple of hours and then drain it thoroughly.

[WhiteRabbit]

Agree with the above advice - initially, bark will dry rather quickly (a good soak helps a bit), but after a couple of months, it will start to retain moisture longer. You might also consider putting the plant into a plastic pot instead of clay - the plastic will help retain moisture longer.
You can also make your own mix if you can't find anything besides miracle gro - I don't know what is available to you locally, but I can find the fir bark, perlite, charcoal easily.
Different stores carry different products also - I have heard good things about Better Grow orchid mixes if you have those available locally.