"Jeff Layman" wrote

Bob Hobden wrote:
"David" wrote in
Got round to putting canes in to support the flower spikes today and I
had miss counted One has 4 spikes and the other has 6, though 2 only
have 4 buds each, should be open well for Xmas.
A lot of the orchids are in need of re potting so will have to get some
orchid compost. time to shop around.

I've bought sacks of bark (course and fine) from these people before...
http://www.ratcliffeorchids.co.uk/Pages/trial.aspx

Thanks for that link, Bob - I had no idea there was an orchid nursery near
me (only about 8 miles away ATCF). Some interesting plants there.

Have you tried growing orchids in pretty ordinary compost? I think that
I've posted before that I use ericaceous JI with pieces of old oasis for a
few Phals and one Paph. They seem to grow ok. I thought I was doing
something a bit off-the-wall, but I note that Ratcliffe's sell "Chopped
horticultural foam"!


Not sure they expect visitors but they certainly didn't have a problem when
I asked to collect. Not the easiest place to find, looks like you are
driving into someone's drive!

My Pliones I grow in a 50/50 mix of fine bark chippings and multipurpose (as
much peat at poss, sorry) compost, they grow outside all year but are
covered in winter to protect them from the wet. Of course my Dactylorhiza
grow in normal garden soil.
Paphiopedilums and Phragmipediums are mainly terrestrial orchids so should
be OK in a finer potting mix as long as, for the former, it is free draining
and they don't stay wet at the roots, moist is OK wet is not. Phrags like it
wet when growing from recent articles I've read.
I think you may have a problem with the epiphitic orchids like Phalaenopsis
which still demand excellent drainage even though they have been well and
truly domesticated.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK