Dendrobium Potting Medium?

[LizK]

I'm in zone 5, Western PA, and getting ready to repot some Phal type Dendrobiums. I'd like to get some suggestions as to potting medium. The plants are top heavy and I have heard adding some gravel to the mix helps. just bought bags of medium and large grade mixes (bark, perlite and charcoal) so I hope these are "ideal", but I will purchase something else if I need to. Thanks!

[mayres]

As you probably know, there are a lot of alternatives that work. I live in an area not too unlike yours and fine bark and perlite seems to work well for me. A little charcoal thrown in won't hurt. You could put some large gravel in the bottom of your pots for extra weight to keep them standing upright. I have similar issues with mine. Another option is putting the plastic pots in heavier ceramic decorative pots other than during watering (if you don't have too many). mike

[LizK]

Thank you for reinforcing what I was intending to do. When you are "new", you question yourself (at least I do) because there are so many options and opinions out there. Liz

[Sharyn]

Mike: I live in zone 6 and will also need to repot some dendrobiums. All I have is some pre-mixed bark (Better-Grow Orchid Medium). I think this bark is pretty coarse and I'm not sure that I can pack this large bark into the pots and (according to experts on the forum) be able to lift the plant in the pot. The mix seems too coarse. You mentioned fine bark and perlite. Most big-box stores don't cary fine or medium bark. I can order it online - just not sure what to order. Also have phals. which will need to be repotted within the next few months - again, the bark I have seems too coarse. Recommendations please.

[mayres]

I am blessed to live in douglas fir country - millions of fir trees - lots of bark available! With that said, Lowes (if you have any of those) carrys a bark/perlite mixture from Gublers Orchids (grower in California) that I have found works well for fine root orchids. They have a web site too, but for some reason at the moment it doesn't appear to want to come up on my pc? http://www.gublers.com/ I also use their pro-blend orchid fertilizer. At some point you might want to consider something other than medium to coarse bark for your phals. This is an excellent option for newbies and others who might be prone to overwatering. I have talked about this with growers who specialize in phals and they tend to grow in more moisture retentive mixes and water less often. The plants tend to grow faster and it is less work (spent watering). The trick is knowing WHEN to water. If the plants are in cool humid winter environments it might be as long as three weeks between waterings. I put all my 25-30 phals in a mixture of coir, perlite and charcoal on July 1st and so far they are loving it. At some point if you have a number of phals you might consider other options - some like sphag/bark blends, peat/perlite blends, etc. Yes - Lots and lots of options out there. In my mind bark is definately the "safest" if there is such a thing.

[Maddy]

I bought a bag of Schultz's Orchid Mix, and it's a finer grade than Better-Gro. You might also try setting the den's pot in a heavier cachepot to add weight - I do that with most of my topheavy plants. I found some very attractive faux-Ming vase cachepots at Home Depot that are just perfect for smaller pots.

My one dendrobium looks like it's wedged between four small pieces of cork or wood in the pot - it's not in standard orchid mix at all. It looks happy now, but I'm a little concerned about root damage when I have to repot.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Home Depot often carries a fine grade of orchid bark.

[LizK]

Thanks! I just got some mix from Tindara and my Taylor's guide arrived, too! I will check out Home Depot-I have a lot of plants to repot. I'm excited to learn from my book. Maybe my "neophyte" questions will be addressed in the book and I will actually be able to contribute to this site instead of always asking questions! Liz

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Remember that Dens like to dry out during winter when not growing or blooming, so if you use small bark, be extra careful to use the smallest pot possible. Medium bark is OK, just needs watering more oftem. Occasionally it is not possible to lift the pot by lifting the plant, but that is how you will want to pack the mix in just the same.

[LizK]

I will be careful to let dry before watering. Thanks. Liz