any thoughts on Schultz Orchid Mix?

[Marcia_pa]

A new orchid owner question--Any comments on using Schultz Orchid Mix, which is "western fir bark, horticultural charcoal and a naturally occurring volcanic rock," for potting phals? I rescued 6 small phals last weekend that are currently planted in sphagnum. I have two plants at home and 4 in my office (currently hiding from my hubby ). One at home had very rotted roots and one's roots seem to be nice, thick and firm.

I have read that many mediums will work okay, as long as the owner waters accordingly. I also read the tip about using a skewer to check on the need to water and I will try that soon. Just wondering about others' experiences with this particular mix.

Thanks for your comments.
Marcia,

[mayres]

Marcia -
My mom has grown several phals successfully in this for years - though I have personally found that my plants grow better and faster in a more closed mix. If I were new to growing phals and had it on hand I would certainly use it and then read and experiment with other media in time and see if you like other options better. For example, at some point take two identical plants and put one in something less porous and compare how they each do for you. Be sure and soak the mix 24-48 hours before you use it. mike

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I don't grow in bark mixes, but I make a lot of recommendations to other people in the society I started up here in Prescott, so I bought a bag to check it out. My bag looks like good stuff. When you buy any bark for orchids, preferably fir bark, check a few chunks of the bark by squeezing the bark between you fingers thru the bag. Good bark should be very hard. Occasionally a manufacturer will use really bad bark that is half rotten. When squeezed, the bark will feel a little spongy, and give a little between your fingers. This is to be avoided at all cost. The only nursery in Phoenix that carries orchid bark in large bags (2 to 4 cu ft), got a shipment in like this, and the entire orchid community in Phoenix was asking friends visiting California to bring back bags of bark for them for a year or two until enough unsuspecting orchids growers used up that foul stuff. Gublers makes good bark too. Cynthia

[atcrosby]

I have used it but as Cynthia says you need to test the bark since some of the stuff on the shelf has been there quite a while. Also, before you use the bark, you'll want to soak it overnight in a light fertilizer/Superthrive mix to let it absorb water. MY experience is that new bark will dry out way too quickly which Phals don't like (of course, they don't like it too wet either!). This goes for any time you use bark with orchids.

Also, don't forget the skewer method to test moisture since the bark will probably behave differently than the other stuff you're using. If it's a young Phal, use medium or fine bark.

[Marcia_pa]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I don't want to rot the roots, which is what I'm afraid will continue to happen by using the sphagnum alone. Any thoughts about mixing the Schultz with some sphagnum moss? Or is that asking for trouble?

I'll get some skewers in them for help with moisture testing, too
Thanks.
Marcia

[atcrosby]

LIke everything I have discovered in the Orchid world, "It depends!". If you're in a dry environment then perhaps sphag is something to consider but if you dote on your orchids like most of us do, it's just easier (and safer) to monitor the pot weight.

As you get used to the weight of a wet pot versus a dry one, you'll discover the skewer method is not longer needed. It's something you learn by doing so it'll be wise initially to do both the skewer and weigh the pot. Initially, I thought everyone was crazy but it's become second nature to me.

I also use clear pots allowing me to see the moisture in the pot. The good thing about Phals is they are forgiving and they will give you signals. A happy Phal will grow new leaves while an unhappy one doesn't. Also, watch the root growth if you're using a clear pot.

The wisest thing I can tell you is that the orchid is a very tough plant and it'll take a lot of neglect to kill it. Just observe and learn. This forum is excellent to ask questions because people always are ready to jump in and help.

[mreckner]

I just repotted some of my orchids in a medium like this, and now I'm worried. They were potted in clear plastic liners, though. At least I can keep an eye on the moisture level.

[patticake]

A very old thread, but current question...

I use Schultz orchid mix on almost all of my orchids. I'm switching some over to semi-hydroponics, and I use some chopped sphag mixed in for those that like a little more moisture. (or coconut husks)

[Fishmom]

I used Schultz mix for several years, before it vanished from the markets here. It worked great for phals, but I had wrinkled leaves on my oncids, which I now know was due to lack of water. I really liked the Schultz mix and never got a bad batch, but I can no longer find it anywhere around. Miracle-Gro seems to have taken over the market, and plenty has been written about that product in the thread below.

[Tarad]

I use the Schultz , the kind WITHOUT the fertilizer added to it. IT has dissappeared from Wal-mart, but I found it at Menards here in eau claire for 4.99 a bag WOO HOO. However I also have used the conncoction that Mayers above is speaking of. I works really well with phals. I personally am keeping my Mini phals and switching to S/H. Tara

[slippery_biscuit]

I've used it often, taking the bag before use and sifting it, removing all of the finer particulate mater. This for use with the catt's and laelia's where I want a faster drying time.

Shifting to more lava, clay bits, etc. lately so you have to considered where I'm coming from with the info!

[janet_a]

So I've pretty much given up on finding the shultz mix. But yesterday I took a tour of the local garden shops trying to find Garden Safe premixed neem oil spray; no luck. I asked the mgr at one place if he had any, and he told me this interesting bit: seems shultz (which makes garden safe) is undergoing reorganization, hence the lack of products. He's even been having trouble getting shultz liquid fertilizers.

So I guess the moral of the story is: if you see a shultz product you like and usually use, buy it quick. In fact, buy two. I hit a fourth store today that still had shultz products and stocked up on the sprays, and a bottle of AV food to be on the safe side.

The mgr of the other store thinks that shultz will eventually be back, but possibly under other names or brands.

[Fishmom]

Schultz is a part of Spectrum Brands, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this summer. They will emerge from reorganization, hopefully, and re-start producing, but who knows what the products will be? If you search for Spectrum Brands, you can get restructuring information on the website.

[janet_a]

ah thx....

[amylmc]

I see that this thread is pretty old, but I thought I'd let you know that I just purchased a 9 litre bag of the Schultz mix at my local nursery for $19.99 (Canadian). It appears to be in very good condition with solid pieces, even after soaking.

They also had a good selection of fertilizers from Schultz - so at least in Toronto, this product is back on the market.

[fred]

thanks for the info
that is good to know as many geeks do and have used there products

[Fishmom]

Hey, I'm happy to see this thread reappear. I'll be looking around at my local sources. I've been really happy with Repotme products, but the shipping adds up, and I don't really think the phal mix I've been making myself is any better than what I used to buy from Schulz. Thanks, amylmc!

[arbutus]

I have used Schultz and, for me it is the best. I see that some orchid growing sites are touting sphaghum moss. I don't like it, it holds the moisture too long and I'm never sure when I need to water. (I did see the test for checking water content.). I see that Amazon has Schultz and another brand that seems to contain the same items as Schultz. I use clear water bottles (gal.), and put some decorative glass stones at the bottom, then the planting medium. When I water (usually 1/2 c every Sunday), I can first check the stones at the bottom of the pot to see if there is still water leftover from last watering. I still have one orchid that is planted in a good amount of sphaghum and it is not doing as well as the others. I also just bought one that is in sphaghum. It is now in bloom, but when it is done blooming I will replant it in schultz or the other one available at Amazon.

[pugmom]

I love Schultz, in fact its the ONLY brand I can seem to find where I am.

But it works really well, I have had no problems, I do however seem to have to water more frequently then most but its better the over watering.

I like to soak the plants in warm water at least once a month to get the bark really moist.

The only think I don't like it for is the mini phals, they get way to dry and I found myself having to water almost daily or every other day, so recently switched to sphag for them.

[krpot]

Haven't tried it, but I like "Hoffman's Special Orchid Mix for Epiphytic Orchids".

[Phalcycle]

Originally Posted by Marcia_pa

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I don't want to rot the roots, which is what I'm afraid will continue to happen by using the sphagnum alone. Any thoughts about mixing the Schultz with some sphagnum moss? Or is that asking for trouble?

I'll get some skewers in them for help with moisture testing, too
Thanks.
Marcia

Mixing sphagnum moss with a pre-mix bark is a great idea. I often do it with my mini-phals. They hod moisture, yet the bark and other things help with airation.

I had a question about the over night soaking for 24 hrs.
I bought a bag that had peat moss, spounge rock, charcoal, and wester fir bark. Do I pre-soak the whole thing or just the bark? The peat is really crumbly.

Well this question goes out for all pre-mixed bags, do you soak the whole thing?

[berkeleysgr8]

I've had decent luck with Schultz. More recently I top dressed some phals that are planted in Schultz with a coir perlite mix. That seemed to cause a lot of root growth and initiated growth in a stalled out basal keiki.

Regarding soaking the medium overnight, I would soak just what you're going to use for your potting project. Use your pot as a scoop and then pour that amount into a large bowl or bucket for the soaking. If I have a chunky mix that I'm working with, I usually strain it in a colander.

[wickidgrrl]

I LOVE SHULTZ MIX, but I can't find it down here! Anyone on the east coast, seen it yet?