Miracle-Gro Orchid Potting Mix

[wickidgrrl]

Hey Everybody. So i am about to repot my phals and cattleya, and i had picked up this new mix by Miracle-Gro. I cleaned up my 'chids, and opened the Miracle-Gro bag literally like ten minutes ago, and lo and behold, the mix is almost like soil. The bag said it was a course mix, and i guess i was expecting more of a consistency to the usual bark/charcoal mix i use. I guess if i mix it with the phal mix i have, it will balance it out. And i will also have to be careful not to overwater. Anyone out there have any experience using this or similiar(orchid dirt)? Would like a response asap, thanks. I know i should've opened the bag before i started the repotting process. Well, just another newbie mistake i will learn from,lol!
By the way, i live in Florida, so maybe this stuff will help out with giving my orchids a little bit of moisture retention, in the florida climate? i will be hanging them on my patio.

[janet_a]

i usually use about 3 parts coarse bark to one part bagged mix like that, just to get the charcoal and perlite and stuff.

you're not the first to have bought a bag of that and opened it and found it already decomposed to crumbs, if that makes you feel any better.

[palito]

I have used that mixture with phals and oncidium hybrids. It does work well even if it looks like soil. It's very light and airy. You just be careful watering since it retains lot of moisture

[christinek]

Hi all..

I had a few people ask me how I did so well with my vandas indoors etc.. etc.. And for the most part.. This includes my vandas and my other orchids as well. I used the Miracle Grow orchid mix , but I mixed it with Schultz's orchid mix. Being that schultz will break up the soil and the plants love it. And it makes watering less frequent.. Once a week in the summer, and two weeks without watering in the winter.. Being that's what I do anyways.. LOL But so far so good with my orchid crack.. That's what I call it, because the miracle grow has food pods in their mix and the orchids love it and seem to respond to it well..

[patticake]

I use Schultz. I squeezed a bag of Miracle Gro- orchid mix once, (Please, don't squeeze the Charmin!) and didn't like what I was feeling! Not ALL potting mix is created equal!

[christinek]

LMAO!! The CHARMIN!! My god! Mr.WHIPPLE!!!!! AHAHHAAHA

But yes.. I was a bit skeptical too patti.. And then I saw how the orchids reacted to the food pods in the mix and it was positive note. I've tried with and without mixing of schultz orchid mix and one plants roots got a bit soggy and died.. where as when I mixed it with schultz.. It was good to go..

[katrina]

Patti -- I have to ask...do you do anything special w/your Schultz mix?

I had some horrible results when I used it. I'm talking compaction and root rot..even a white fungus yuk in the bottoms of the pots! I lost several plants...it was a complete nightmare. Whereas, my other plants that were potted in Better Gro's mix have done fabulously...they're happy and healthy.

I've read other posts where people are using that Schultz mix w/good results so I'm wondering what the heck I did wrong.

[christinek]

Really Katrina? I sure hope i don't run into that problem with that schultz mix.. so far so good.. And all is well.. (fingers crossed again) lol

[katrina]

I've only run into one other person (locally) who had a similar problem. Which is why I'm thinking perhaps others are doing something different than what I did. I don't know. I should add...I used that mix early on in my orchid life and it was before I knew you should soak the mix prior to potting up. I'm wondering if that has something to do w/my results. ??

I lost several Oncid alliance before I knew what was happening and my catts that were in it...they didn't succumb to the situation but...well...they're in recovery now. Most look to be bouncing back quite nicely. The Oncids that didn't die completely...they are taking longer to bounce back. Still not sure if they'll make it.

Like I said though...I know others have had success w/the mix so I'm wondering what they did that was different. Maybe it's the soaking aspect. ??

[christinek]

Not sure hon.. I can't say for certain. All I know is I mix the two together and begin planting or replanting the orchid in it with the orchid pot. Then when all is established and firmly packed.. I water with my kitchen shower sprayer and give it a good soaking.. Then I keep an eye on plants to be sure they're ok.. 9 times out of 10.. They're great! (knock on wood)

Hey Kat.. I left you a lengthy message in your page.. LOL I got carried away.. lmao Enjoy!

[katrina]

I would say...by the looks of your pics...that you don't have anything to worry about in regards to your mix. If you could've seen my poor babies...they were hurting and I didn't put two and two together until faaaaaaaar too much damage had been done. Newbie mistake.

As for any lenghty messages...not to worry...if you look at most of my posts I tend to be a "wordy" person so I'm not bothered by wordiness in others. I haven't read it yet but I will shortly.

[christinek]

Hi Katrina..

Well good thing you figured it out when you did.. Cause now you know and you can add it to your knowledge base in the event something similar happens again.. (hopefully not) I know I will keep it in mind and keep an extra close eye on things..

[fallingstar435]

I used the miracle grow mix on my my cimbs. (I cant spell) and I currently have a serious problem with yellow mushrooms and some other fungus growing in the mix. My orchid was HUGE and 2 of the 3 new growths have died and I lost a few of the leaves. It was fine until this fungus began and I am fighting to get rid of it. So I would say use at your own risk. I only water once a week or less, so its not from overwatering. I live in southern Louisiana and we are overly humid all the time. My vandas and other orchids love it but the one cimb. in the miracle grow does not approve of the change. Its been in that mix for over 2 months now.