Dendrobium in charcoal medium .. is it good ?

[manisha]

Hi All,

I have Dendrobium and put it charcoal medium and every 2nd day i water it. As of now orchid is in flowering condition but do i need to provide some fertilizer also to it.

Thanks,
Manisha

[Vanda lover]

I would fertilize about once a week [weakly weekly] during the growing season.

[NYCorchidman]

Many growers in tropical places like Thailand grow their dendrobiums in large clay pots with only charcoal chunks. It is great because the drainage is perfect!

Just like any other potting mix, you want to fertilize.
Charcoal does not provide anything to plant.

[manisha]

thanx to all..

[Chatbud]

Here in SEA, charcoal is the preferred media for orchids. Why? Cheap! And you get to water everyday with no fear or rot

[Bud]

Charcoal is burned wood and some orchids thrive in the wilds on lightning burned trees; it is a basic medium for roots to cling on to find moisture....yet it is still nourished by bird droppings and some decayed bark debris....you still have to feed your orchids with fertilizer

[jerrymay]

What is the status of biochar in the orchid world?

[esthandior]

Most of nurseries in Indonesia use charcoal as medium for potted orchids. And it seems to work pretty well. Especially for dendrobiums, phalaenopsis, oncidium, and sometimes also vandas.

But myself consider to mix it with other medium.

Fertilizing is about giving nutrition to your orchid. It think whatever the medium, it is still necessary. But its said that better you give a very dilute fertilizer everytime you water, than giving a higher concentration every once in a week.