Gene Schurg wrote:

If it works for you then don't change. Everyone has different culture. I
wouldn't recommend it for a beginner who is still learning the fine art of
orchid watering.


Like all media, sphagnum's suitability totally depends on
what, how and where you grow, which is why I don't take much
notice of people who adamantly support or reject a given
media unless I know they're growing their plants under the
same conditions as mine. Here in Melbourne (Oz) sphagnum is
fantastic for Masdavallia as it holds water and keeps the
roots cool during our hot summers. Try to use some of the
mixes recommended by US growers over here and such plants
would struggle. The down side is that under Melbourne
shadehouse/coolhouse conditions it will need replacing
yearly, although if you add polystyrene to the sphagnum you
may be able to get two years out of it.

As for the commercial growers Bolero mentioned, weight may
be a reason why they use this media but cost certainly
isn't. In southern Australia (where Bolero is posting from),
it's far more economical to use radiata pine bark than
sphagnum. I reserve sphagnum only for those plants that need
it.

Andrew