Phragmipedium pearcii mix?

[Hornet]

I have a very sick looking Phrag pearcii here which i am fairly certain is to do with the mix, i currently have it in a coco husk/s[hagnum mix but i think it maybe too wet for it with not enough air flow. Can someone suggest a good, basic mix for Phrags?

[hera]

I have a pearcii that I have been playing around with the mix and I don't think I've gotten it quite right yet. They like access to fresh water, and I've seen it grown in all sphag with very healthy roots. I had mine in a small bark mix and it did fine until I put a reservior of water under it. The mix broke down too quickly. Now I have it in a mix of rockwool cubes and perlite with a reservior of water under it, and it is still adjusting, so I don't have a good answer about if this will be the mix that works. Of all my phrags, this one is proving to be the most difficult. THey are supposed to be easy to grow.

[LouisW]

Be warned that I have no experience with this species.

According to a little research, they grow in marshes and from rocks which are sometimes below the water line. They apparently like quite a bit of water, so the problem is getting them the water they need without rotting the roots. Coarser barks with more frequent watering may help. Semi Hydro may be a good option. Also perhaps a Choir/perlite/charcoal mix may work well for you. In any media you use make sure there is a little airflow around the plant and therefore, hopefully, around the roots.

[kmarch]

I have a couple questions for you Hornet:
When did you last repot?
Was the coir you used washed/soaked so that it was salt free?
What are your other cultural conditions?

[Hornet]

its been about 2months since last repotting, before that i only had it for a month and i had potted it in pure sphag which started going slimy. I will admit that no the coir wasnt washed, may that have been the prob? With all this rain i have heaps of washed coir husk now. It grows in semi shade (prob about phal light levels) sitting in a saucer of water and watered with tap water

[kmarch]

Phrags like higher light than paphs, almost in the cattleya light range. That may be part fo the difficulty.

[Hornet]

alright i will put it with the cats, what about fresh mix of washed coco husk?