another phal potting ?

[sandra]

I just bought some Canadian peat moss for addition to my potting mix (Schultz orchid mix - fir bark, charcoal, I add additional perlite) for my phals. Has anyone added the peat moss in with their regular potting mix for phals? Water retention (in 48 hr. pre-soaked bark mix) hasn't been that substantial so I've been noticing and I've been having to water them every other day which makes me nervous. I'm trusting that the skewers are telling me the truth but it still makes me feel uncertain whether I'm getting the whole truth regarding the watering requirements (just for the phals, so it seems). I've been using the peat moss (with bark mixture) in my brassidiums and maltissias and it seems 'just right', it hold the moisture in but doesn't weigh the mixture down, and I always know when more watering is needed.

As well, would like to pot my paphs in the same mix when flowering is done.

[kmarch]

I used peat in my Paph mix when i lived in the US. It proved to be a good organic additive and moisture retentive as well. When you add things like peat that retain mositure it is good to closely monitor the mix for a while (as it sounds like you're doing) to see if you need to adjust watering frequency.

[mayres]

There is a phal orchid hybridizer in my area that uses a peat mix and has been doing so for some time. He seems to think it is great. I get similar moisture retentive properties with primarily coir base to my mix. I just repotted seven of my phals last weekend that had been in coir for 13 months and the roots were fabulous - no rot and lots of growth. Another thing I have noticed is that the leaves stay very firm and straight instead of floppy. With cool rainy moist seasons (about half the year here!) you have to be very careful not to water too often. Good luck.

[sandra]

Bill, since I know you're a phal guru, and taking into considerationthe fact we live in very different climates and grow our plants in very different conditions, I'd appreciate your opinion on growing in fir bark as a medium to use alone or, mixed with bark, charcoal, perlite or, try the peat moss alone or, mix the peat with all that I've just mentioned????? I just today bought some fir bark so now I've got this and the peat and the orchid mix and am thoroughly confused as to which one to use or if I should mix any together. I know the bark mix alone isn't good for the reasons I first mentioned but now I'm confused and could really use your advice.

[mayres]

Sandra - are you growing your phals outdoors or indoors? I would think your options might be more limited if you were outdoors where you can get a fair amount of rain - I have heard of other Florida growers having root rot issues because of lots of rain. Indoors or under cover you should be able to make just about any media work - just be careful if you use the peat - knowing that if you water too often you are asking for root health issues - but it can be an excellent media if properly cared for - I would go ahead and mix some of your other components with it - all three would be OK. Good luck. mike

[sandra]

Mike, My orchids are on a covered, screened patio. The phals don't get rained on so I have that under control. Maybe I will try all 3 mixes together. I'll first try to get more info on water retention with the fir bark before I determine all 3 mixes together. I'm not worried about over watering so long as the skewers guide me. It's the watering every other day in the bark mix that's making me nervous. As well, one of my big leaf phals leaf's have drooped and I've been extremely careful with the watering on this one. I don't like the constant second-guessing....too much watering? too little watering?....when I've been soooooo careful. I'm looking forward to having found that perfect medium for these.

Thanks for your advice on this. I'll be very careful with the amount of peat I add here.

[sandra]

On second thought, after reading this thread, I think I'll be returning the peat moss....

Fungal Warnings: #1-Garden Safe Fungicide and #2-fusarium in peat

[mayres]

The nice thing about using a media that absorbs a lot of water, such as coir and peat, is that the pot & plant are very heavy when just watered and then extremely light when ready to water. You can nearly tell when to water with your eyes closed! Really! Good luck - Mike