Catts and Coir Mix

[PhalPal]

Tonight I repotted some Catts into plastic pots and was very pleasantly surprised at all the new root tips I found! I have them in a mix I make of coir/perlite/charcoal/tree fern and Dynarock. This mix gives excellent drainage and I pretty much have been growing everything in it. I was worried about Catts in particular but they are doing very well in it. I do wish I would have taken pictures (as proof!!) but I'll get some shots through the plastic as they extend to the sides of the pots.

[patticake]

Yay!!! Can't wait for pics of the bloom, too!

[sandra]

Keep a close look on them Connie. I love the coir for my phals (50/50 coir and bark) and have seen a tremendous improvement with the coir added but, I would never have thought it would be good for Catts. Live and learn.

[Hummer344]

I have been potting all my orchids in a similar mix. For the phals and paph's I use a little smaller mix & just a touch of spag. My catts seem to like it and do well.

[jerrymeola]

Orchids grow in everything.

Coir holds more water than bark and less than sphag. If it is not a large pro-portion then there is really no difference and even pure coir works if you water less. I get many cats from Hawaii in 100% coir. It works if you water appropriate for the medium.

[kmarch]

I find that coir "behaves" differently from bark or shag too though. I have a copule of Dens in it. The kingianum is doing beautifully as it is kept outside and is frequently watered. Indoors I have a moniliforme which is constantly too dry, jut a few days after watering it is bone dry.

There are two "polarities" regarding watering: 1) use a dry mix and water a lot, or 2) use a more moisture retentive mix and water less. Coir seems to be towards the first.

[PhalPal]

I have learned that conditions vary depending on the quality/brand of coir as well. Mine never seems 'muddy' after watering; the mix feels light and fluffy and with the add-ins it doesn't pack down like spraghum. Dynarock is my favorite item to add and unlike the name implies it is very light. I change the amount of Dynarock according to the plants needs and the rest of the mix stays the same.

A rule of thumb I try to live by - it's not the present of water that rots roots, it's the absense of air.