Question on orchid potting mix.

[hank3443]

Hi, I have been growing orchids for about six years or so and i grow mostly miniature phals. I do have other orchids as well and also a few that are mounted. My question is the the type of mix i should use for my miniatures, i grow all of them in 4" clay pots with a open bark mix, i also have a layer of moss on top and styrofoam peanuts on bottom. They dry out very quickly and i
have to water just about every other day, in the winter i grow under lights. I
really don't want to use plastic pots because i grow them outside on a covered porch in the summer and hang them from a lattice wall, the clay pots have a 1" lip around the top and i am able to use a hanger on them. I have heard something about coir mix, i would appreciate any suggestions you might have. THANKS HANK....

[cindiras]

Hmm! Can't help with the coir question as mine are in bark or clay pellots. I use plastic pots with the pellots, but have heard of others using the pellots in clay pots. With the plastic pots, I have a 2 inch water reservoir in the bottom of the pot for the clay balls to wick up to the roots of the orchid. If you use clay pellots in clay pots, you might put them in drip trays and have the wicking action occur from water in the drip tray. since the clay pot will also wick moisture up its length, you would be increasing the moisture around the plants roots untill the water in the drip tray is evaporated or wicked away. This might cut your watering to twice a week instead of every other day.

[hank3443]

Thankyou Cindiras for your suggestion, i have thought of experimenting with semi hydro
but not with my miniatures. Thanks again HANK.....

[Cjcorner]

Most of the mini phals i've ever bought were in spagnum moss with a few med. sized pieces of bark mixed throughout.

[Bikerdoc5968]

Hank, when I began this obsession, I was growing full sized phals because that is what my dad was growing just before he died. So I just continued... he used clay orchid pots. He lived in SE Florida near the coast(near West Palm Beach) and grew them outside 24/7/365. As I began collecting all the plants were in plastic inside a 6" clay orchid pot and during the summer I hung them from the lattice over my deck shaded by a very large oak tree. I was watering frequently as you are. With time I have changed over to plastic because I water less, the pots are lighter and seem to do better. I still hang them outside in the summer either just in the plastic or placing the plastic in clay. My 6" plastic have very sturdy rims and the double hangers I use work just fine. As to your situation of things drying out so fast... I wonder about your humidity? Winters up north (I live in Michigan and grow in a GH and still have issues with humidity) are dry and maybe this is affecting your situation... don't know. Certainly the clay pots tend to "wick away" the water... anyway, I got lots of clay pots.....for a great price... interested... LOL

[jschooler]

On the subject of potting/repotting...I know to soak the bark mix before I use it, but what are your thoughts on using some kind of root booster like "Quick Start"??? Thanks in advance.