Dyna-RokII anyone??

[tizzycat]

Does any one have any knowledge of any experience with this medium.

A lady at our society gave me a couple of Den cuttings in Dina-RokII, when I first joined, and they appear to be doing very well. Some of her reasons for using it were, less watering, reuseable, and good results.

Watering is very easy, as the medium immediately soaks up the water and you can tell by the weight of the pot when to re-water.

I've found a supplier in the UK, but just can't decide whether to take the plunge. It's very tempting after reading this:

http://www.dyna-gro.com/Website%20pd...eet%202002.pdf

[Hummer344]

I have been using Dyna-Roc as part of my mixes for years now & have no complaints. Last year I repotted a phal that had two divisions, one into medium Dyna-Roc and the other in my usual mix. (coconut chip, dyna-roc, small bark mix, perlite, charcole). Both have thrived but neither have bloomed. I only see one difference. The dyna-roc has settled more and needs to be topped off. I wouldn't use the fine dyna-roc. It is to fine and filters down to the bottom of the mix.

Hope that helps.

[tizzycat]

Thanks Hummer, I think I need to try some and experiment a little.

[tom499]

I've heard making the switch is best done while the plant is in strong active growth. This means the shock of the change in medium is overcome quickly.

Younger plants are also meant to take to it better aswell, while more mature bark planted orchids can sulk.

[sandra]

Hi tizzycat. I have about 5 Catts. in the large sized DynaRok, and 2 seedling catts in the small sized mix. The roots have grown into the mix nicely. In fact, I see a lot more healthy roots in this mix than I do with the others in bark. It's clean, light weight, provides a lot of aeration. I am more regularly giving these plants balanced fertilizing though to make up for what's missing in this mix but other than this, so far, so good. Also, it's very easy to tell when these plants need watering.

[PhalPal]

Tizzy I have been using DynaRok for about a year now and include it in all my mixes. For my Phals I just add it to coir, perlite and charcoal. I have only a few Catts but potted my very first Catt in all Dynarok and I have lots of new roots. For orchids that need great drainage (and which one's don't??) I find it invaluable. Soak it for just a few minutes before using it to get the air out of the rocks; you'll see what I mean when you do it!

[tizzycat]

Thanks everyone. It's sounding better all the time; think I will give it a try.

Tom, I hear what you're saying, maybe the right time is just around the corner.

Sandra and Connie, thanks for your input. It's sounding better all the time I think I'll definitely give this a go on a couple of plants to start with.

Connie, I notice that for you phals you add Dyna Roc to your mix. Do you think it would be a bad idea to use only DR. At the moment my phals are on bark alone. I do not, personally, like sphagnum moss as I find it bit too moisture retentive for the uk climate.

Thanks,
Chris

[sandra]

tizzycat, I've seen a lot of Phals successfully grow in the DynaRok and in Hydroton (clay pellets). The only drawback may be, depending on your need to nurture, that they require watering more often than those potted in bark.

[PhalPal]

I really believe that orchids can be grown in anything if we as growers are willing to adjust out habits to the plants needs, not ours.

I have a wonderful book on Phals and the author challenged his grower friends to successfully grow a Phal in the strangest mix possible. Some of the mediums used were wine corks, metal bottle caps and broken glass! I think a Phal could do well in Dynarok with no other additives; in fact it might be a good mix for someone who likes to water a lot.

[tizzycat]

I'm still pondering on this, as I don't have a tendancy to overwater, so it may be more labour intensive than the bark.

Does Hydroton also need watering more often than bark.

[PhalPal]

Tizzy I don't have any Phals in pure dynarock for exactly yours reasons. I don't overwater and really don't want to everyday. I have Catts in the rocks because they like to get really dry between waterings so it works for them. I add rock to my coir mix for my Phals to add some extra drainage and air.