The RHS is not like the bible, far from it. It's more like a couple of
knowitalls. There are no facts when it comes to orchids in collections. It's
a question of what works for you. Don't think about wether it works for
other people, but what you can work with, what you can get your hands on. Ok
some chemicals will probably harm orchids, so it's up to us to figure out
what works and what doesn't. I can't keep orchids in a mix based on coconut
fibres, chips. The dutch use it to grow plants, I can only kill plants with
it.
Books are often based on experience, that experience is based on conditions
and research of the authors, there is just no quarantee that it will work
for you. Study different possibilities and than deside for yourself what
seems to be the best for your situation.
Cheers
Peter

"keith" schreef in bericht
...
i am starting to get confused ,as a lot of growers use different methods &
give different answers!i have read in the RHS garden encylopedia(which is
like a bible for gardeners)that pine or fir bark are a excellent potting
medium with some additions to keep the mixture open & prevent it from
becoming sour.a suitable compost mix is as follows:3 parts medium grade
bark(dust free),1 part coarse grit or perlite,1 part charcoal pieces and 1
part broken dry leaves or fibrous peat substitute or peat.
Ray says dont use pine?i can understand why not to use bbq charcoal due to
poss added fuel etc,but why not pine?
anyone got any comments on this mixture, as like i said it is from the RHS
book,& what they dont no isnt worth knowing!
thanks keith