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Thread: Oncidium growing in moss?

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  1. #1
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    Bob Benditzky
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    Default Oncidium growing in moss?

    I rescued an Oncidium growing in moss. I want to repot it but I'm not sure which substrate to use?

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    Angie
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    Default

    I usually use a mix of fine bark, charcoal, and perlite.

  3. #3
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    Thanks,

    That was my first choice but, wasn't sure since it is already potted with moss.

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    i grow my oncidiums in moss, although many people also grow theirs in bark mixes. I find the moss suits my watering schedule-i dont need to water the so much, because the moss stays moist longer. Its up to you though.

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    You will always get quite a number of differing opinions when you ask about potting media. Thing is, none of them are wrong. Or right. For instance, I also use moss. Moss may well kill other people's oncids quickly. It depends on your conditions to some extent, but mostly your watering habits. I have pretty low humidity for most of the year and try as I might, can't manage to keep an optimal level for any length of time being that I grow indoors under lights. If my oncids were in bark they would dry up so quickly that I would have quit my job to keep up with watering needs.
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  6. #6
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    If you ever fancied mounting - 'fern root', coir, filter (synthetic) sponge and natural sponge are great for the wire like thin roots. Moss is definetly an extreme at one end of the scale and I would have to stay far away from it and go towards the other end and use bark. Highly dependant on your care approach, temps, airflow etc. If anything you dont want epiphyte orchids standing with their roots saturated for any length of time. Throw cool/cold temps in and its a goner!

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by opaline View Post
    If you ever fancied mounting - 'fern root', coir, filter (synthetic) sponge and natural sponge are great for the wire like thin roots. Moss is definetly an extreme at one end of the scale and I would have to stay far away from it and go towards the other end and use bark. Highly dependant on your care approach, temps, airflow etc. If anything you dont want epiphyte orchids standing with their roots saturated for any length of time. Throw cool/cold temps in and its a goner!
    I never thought of sponge being a potential medium. Have you used this?
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  8. #8
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    Main problem with moss is if you summer them outdoors most likely they will get too wet and ending up getting root rot.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by gardenguysorchids View Post
    Main problem with moss is if you summer them outdoors most likely they will get too wet and ending up getting root rot.
    Very true for those in the Eastern US. I can't wait to get back there. I have never liked using moss, but have little choice with some of my plants out here on the west coast. It just deteriorates so quickly. And well before it is to the point of being bad for the plants, it becomes visually unappealing...especially if one uses any organics in their fertilizing regimen.
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  10. #10
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    I currently have 2 of my Onc. collection in a combo of moss with leca, some charcoal and sponge rock. I do agree with Bill, though. When you grow outdoors, you need to be careful of the media getting too wet.
    Tony

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