Fresh Bark
 

I've picked up several orchids in the past few months. Many of them were clearance at lows for $1. All has moss for a medium that stayed soggy, so I decided to repot using the Phal mix from Lowes. I'm just wondering, does newer potting mix need watering more often until it breaks down just a little? I just seems to me that when I water, its all evaporated within a day with this bark mixture.

Try soaking the bark for 24 hrs before potting the plants (if you havent repotted them already). If you have already repotted them I would suggest soaking them in a tub of water once in a while. I noticed the same thing so i soak them every 3rd watering. I dont use fertilizer in the water when i soak them so I flush them at the same time.

Like was said, soak the bark before using it. Yes, while it is still new and fresh you probably will have to water a little more frequently. It will hold more water and for longer as it breaks down over time.

Congrats on the nice cheap finds! I love it when I find something like that, although the cheapest I've managed is $5. :)

If you're using straight bark mix with nothing else (CHC or sphag. moss is a good addition), then it's probably a good idea to get the bark pourous and soak it. I personally don't like to soak the bark because even then, until you've watered the plants a few times, the bark still, isn't quite retaining the water the way it eventually will. I have better results by boiling it in a pot and simmering for about 1/2 hour, draining and cooling for about another hour and it's good to go. So, Yes, it's a good idea soak or boil:biggrin:the bark before using.

Chids at Lowe's for $1! Lucky you!!:bowing

Thanks for the advice. I've done alot of reading on orchids, but failed to read I needed to soak the medium before repoting. I've already repotted, so next time I water them I'll let them soak for 12 hours or so.

Yep, the phals and dends that were $13 were marked down to $1.20 to be exact, and the large phals I got that were originally $21 were marked down to $2.20. There were all in excellent shape, just droppped most their flowers, and were put on clearance right before I walked up the clearance rack! What a deal.

Pour boiling water over the bark to "open up" the structure. It works even better than soaking.

If you have the problem with bark already in a pot, run lukewarm water through itfor about 5 minutes, wait 30, then repeat.

I found out I should have soaked the bark after repotting as well.

I actually soaked my potted up Phals for 24 hours then let them drain thoroughly with no ill effects, but that was an acident and I would not advise it (I forgot :blushing: ). But I would probably advise a more careful soaking for short periods with good draining in between. As long as the roots are not left too long without access to air flow they should be fine.

Thanks Everyone!

Hi, There is nothing wrong with the advice you have been given. However I never give anything but plain dry bark when I repot phals. I also will try growing one without any media. My reasoning? We can grow many plants esentually bare root including most of the lettuce you buy today. Phals grow normally with a large amount of the root mass above the medium. I have one flowering kiki in the bath room with roots 6" long before they reach the bark. I intend to remove it from the spike and root nurishment after this current flowering and grow it on bare root. D-D-