Snow mold in potting mix

Hi, I live in SW FL where it's hot and humid. I've had a problem with snow mold growing in bark mixes, which eventually kills the roots, if you don't repot, which is expensive and time consuming. Any advice on how to avoid snow mold? Also, what is the best orchid potting mix for big cattleyas that doesn't break down so fast and that is more resistant to snow mold? Has anyone tried the Ausie Gold mix? How about growing in Diatomite? Has anyone tried the Potting Up Mix?

Depending on how often you water, different mixes are good for different people. If you are able to water every day, try growing in Lava rock. It will support your orchid and will not retain moisture. This = no mold. I actually do not like Aussie Gold. It is heavy and seems to rot my orchid roots. I prefer to grow in a bark mix.

cheers,
BD

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We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box. ...Hmmm? .

I use lava rock for all of my cats and they are happy and no mold. Where is SW fl are you?
Cin

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This ain't no dress rehearsal

Naples. How about you? So you use lava rock for your cats? I've used that for my dendrobiums for some time, but only put 1 or 2 cats in it. I've noticed in the past that black stuff sometimes grows on that too! Do you use the medium grade? Do you use physan or RD 20 ever so often? That's something I haven't bought in years, and maybe that is part of my problem.

I use physan and the stuff in the blue jug. I am north of you in Englewood/ Rotonda. I do a prophylactic treatment once a month or every 3 weeks depending on the humidity and rain fall. Seems to keep all of the fungus in check. If you use lava rock you have to wash it out with clean water to keep the salts down, I have found that rain usually does the trick except lately when we have had NO rain.
Cin

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This ain't no dress rehearsal

Thanks Cin. I will probably have to order the Physan online. If you think of the name of the "blue jug" stuff, let me know. Do you use other fungicides, in addition to the Physan, either systemic or other, periodically, prophylatically?
Kathy