Soaking Potting Mix

[Endorphins]

I ran out to pick up some more suitable potting media and ended up with Better-Gro Special Orchid Mix (the only thing other than sphag). I believe I'm supposed to soak it prior to potting, which I'm doing, but I don't know how much time is enough time to soak. An hour or so? A day? I have no idea at what rate the water (R/O) will absorb into the mix or how much moisture there should be. I feel like this is an absolutely ridiculous question, but really, I have no idea! I've searched the forums, but haven't come up with what I'm looking for.

Oh, and by the way, the mix is a blend of "raw fir bark, hardwood charcoal and coarse perlite." It was essentially what I was looking for, all in one bag. Everything but the coir, that is.

Thanks for reading!
Steph

ETA: Uh, oh. This isn't the potting section. Sorry mods.

[myorchid]

Steph

I usually soak my mix for a day, and I use the Schultz fine orchid mix.

Hope that helps.

[Endorphins]

Thanks, April!

[patlee]

I soak mine overnight, but that may be longer than necessary. I don't really know that I've ever come across any specific time for doing this I've just never had any problems with an overnight soak I kinda wonder if the little ceramic stone-like-things in Schultz's mix (they are supposed to help with absorption) makes the soaking even necessary...

[Endorphins]

Good point, patlee. Didn't even consider that.

[janet_a]

i soak mine for 48 hrs--but then, i use the cheap stuff.

[myorchid]

I do like to soak mine, and I use the Schultz mix. Sometimes it soaks overnight then I drain it out and put it in a bag so it is ready to use when I need to repot.

Soaking seems to get rid of the dust.

[patticake]

I soak mine overnight or sometimes I mix it up before I leave for work and pot-up when I get home. I use Schultz mix and soak in a light mix of worm tea.
I've used Better-gro, but the chunks are kind of big. I think that would be o.k. for larger plants, but most of mine are smaller and I find the Schultz mix works better with them. Good Luck!

[sandra]

The Better-Gro has the huge pieces of fir bark in the mix, which I'll usually cut up after it's been soaked. I've been using primarily the Schultz now but will mix the Better-Gro in with the Schultz when I'm potting Dends. I bring it to a boil in a large pot, lots of water, let it simmer for maybe, 1/2 hour then let it soak for another 1/2 hr. then, drain. It's good to go once it cools. It holds the water just as well as soaking 24-48hrs. At least, that's been what I've experienced.

[kmarch]

I usually do overnight then drain just as others have suggested.

[Brooke]

I don't soak the bark mix and use it dry. I find it jiggles around the roots better when dry. After potting I flush water through the mix to remove the dust and then soak the entire container in water to absorb the moisture.

I either under or over estimate what I need and I do not like having to dry out the media for storage. I guess I'm not a good guesser :>)

Brooke

[patticake]

Originally Posted by Brooke

I don't soak the bark mix and use it dry. I find it jiggles around the roots better when dry. After potting I flush water through the mix to remove the dust and then soak the entire container in water to absorb the moisture.

I either under or over estimate what I need and I do not like having to dry out the media for storage. I guess I'm not a good guesser :>)

Brooke

That makes total sense. Last night, for instance, I was left with some after potting a couple of plants up- I'm drying it now, as I don't want to store it damp. (It could start breaking down, or get mold) I'm usually pretty accurate, but I was way off this time. I'll remember that- Thanks!

[butt0n]

When I repot, I tend to soak my potting mix in worm tea for about 10 mins or so before using it. I've also used bark dry as well and made sure to flush it well after potting. Either way, nothing too dramatic that I've noticed.

[norris]

I soak mine 1-2 days because my location is quite dry, and I've read you're not supposed to water for a few weeks after potting. I want the mix to give as much moisture to the plant for that time.

[Lacerr]

I always just do mine dry and after I pot the plant then I soak the whole pot for a good 15-30 minutes, roots and all. Letting the plant go a little dry after repotting promotes more roots, but if you are starting with a dry mix anyway, it wont retain much moisture for a few weeks but it keeps the plant from drying out too bad if you water it regularly. Either way, I think it gets the same results, I just worry about drying my phals up too much =D

[jerrymeola]

I usually do not comment on topics like this since there is nothing wrong it soaking mix.

I will point out that every orchid you own was potted by a commercial grower who uses the mix dry. This is not to say dry is better but it is easier to use and faster. Faster is less employee wages and therefor necessary for the commercial grower.

I grow outside so often my mix is wet if it rained the prior day. I have never seen a difference if I use dry or wet mix. I agree with Brooke that it fills the pot better if dry.

Since I have started soaking all my re-pots in a mixture of worm tea, bracillus bacteria (Companion) and growth hormone, it gets plenty wet, although, at the price of the mix I wonder if I would use a lot less with a prior soak in water, or would that just be a dilution and less effective? The only truth is that there is never one answer.

Sandra if you want to break up large pieces of bark. Put them in a bag (burlap is best) and drive your car over it a couple of times. Fast and no effort.

[Firecat]

Save some money, I just want to point out. In my area in Naples Fl. When I go to to buy Better-Gro media.
I go to Wal-Mart. The price there for the 8 Qt bags of Special Orchid ,Bark, or Phalaenopsis mix is about $1.50 cheaper then Home Depot and even Lowe's is even higher then HD. The Schultz's mix is around 8-9 $.
Just some useful info: Milt

[FLaCo]

Originally Posted by Firecat

Save some money, I just want to point out. In my area in Naples Fl. When I go to to buy Better-Gro media.
I go to Wal-Mart. The price there for the 8 Qt bags of Special Orchid ,Bark, or Phalaenopsis mix is about $1.50 cheaper then Home Depot and even Lowe's is even higher then HD. The Schultz's mix is around 8-9 $.
Just some useful info: Milt

This is true. Lowes always seems to be highr in most thing. Althought for the orchids themselves they seems to be of better quality or at least organized.

They only thing I may soak is Spag moss when I ma going to mount something. I soak it in a 20-20-20 solution with some superthrive. Then I mount. Also, Alifor but that is because I clean off the clay dust on it.

[brookn]

That's strange, because I buy the Schultz at WM for $5-$6 a large bag. I think it works great, the better gro seems to take longer to hydrate. If it is not soaked well my plants pout, I can soak Schultz for an hour, and it's good. I also like that the Schultz is a finer mix,and the plants like the rock? pieces.

[FLaCo]

Originally Posted by brookn

That's strange, because I buy the Schultz at WM for $5-$6 a large bag. I think it works great, the better gro seems to take longer to hydrate. If it is not soaked well my plants pout, I can soak Schultz for an hour, and it's good. I also like that the Schultz is a finer mix,and the plants like the rock? pieces.

The red lava volcanic rocks?

[patlee]

Don't think so,FlaCo...My bag of Schultz's says they're "fired ceramic granules It also calls the mix "exotic"and I pay the $8-9 a bag. Maybe Schultz puts out more than one kind:

[brookn]

Pat, that's what mine is, I guess it's just cheaper here. I would pay the $8-9 for it though, it works great for my conditions. My bag of better gro is just taking up space, I guess it will work in a pinch.