bark medium

[brit6v]

Hi eveyone,
I'm sorry to have been absent for quite a while, but I hadn't forgotten about you.

I usually buy Better-Gro Orchid Mix for some of my orchids.....otherwise if I plant S/H, I use PrimeAgra. Sometimes (especially when rooting) I might use sphag.

Anyway, this said (although my "word-i-ness was not at all necessary), my question to you is: Do any of you use Miracle Gro Orchid Mix? The reason I ask is because the big-box store where I always buy Better-Gro was sold out of it earlier today, so I had to go to another big-box store and buy Miracle Gro.

When I opened the bag to repot a phal this afternoon, I saw that the mixture was very fine.....almost like potting soil, or maybe African Violet mix. I started to worry that it might constrict the root system too much, but I used it anyway in hopes I was wrong.

If any of you have used it, I would appreciate your input as to what your opinion is.

Thank you in advance,
Vicki

[ischel1]

Hmmmmmmmmm, never heard of it, but might work well with some of the finer root chids. What say the rest of you?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I have used it. I got a bag of it as a gift one time. Instead of using it like it is out of the bag, I added in medium bark and sponge rock. I also only use the 'floating' parts of the mix. I poured the bag into a five gallon bucket and filled with water. I stired it around and let it settle. This washed the medium and also made all the rocks and 'mud' sink to the bottom of the bucket. I used the floating material mixed with the bark and sponge rock I mention and did not see any trouble. (Used it on some small phals and oncidiums.)

Cheers,
BD

[cindiras]

I have used it for repotting cymbidiums.

[Cjcorner]

I, like the rest of you thought it was awfully fine.....BUT my phals absolutely stinkin' love this stuff! I repotted a couple that were going the way of the trash can quickly, but when repotted into this stuff they went berserk with new root growth, new leaves and one put out a brand new spike and has 7 buds so far! So, uh when it comes to phals anyways....they love it. A few test dens of the phal cross variety seem to thrive in this as well. The new bark out by Shultz has thin bark that my Dens thrive in as well. The bark is much different...it's mediums size but thin and great for wedging along edges for a nice firm fit for the ones that like their toes nice and tight in the pot or the oncids with thin roots that need something thinner in between the roots. Two new mixes, great for some of mine so far. If thing take a bad turn, I'll update....
Connie
p.s. I use a clay pot to ensure extra moisture is wicked away better. Plastic wouldn't work with this stuff at all...you'll have a mucky mess.

[rich63]

I have been using this mix for all my Paph's.My paph's really like this mix.I still do add garden lime as a top dressing.This mix is very fine and it has some type of wetting agent in it (little yellow balls).I have not use this with any of my phal.I really need to repot a couple of phal. into this mix.All of my other chids are doing well except for my phal.The rest of the chids are in Med.Size Bark Mix by Better-Gro. Take Care,Rich

[brit6v]

Thanks for your help, everyone! You've given me some good tips!

Vicki