"I've just started a new project management job on overseeing the construction of a $53 million shopping mall" Cheers and here's to your success Mick.

I have found that a mixture of orchid rock, diatomite, bark, perlite, and charcoal work for most species. Someone mentioned Brassavola nodos --"Brassavola nodosa is one of the few cattleyas actually worth collecting... And Laelia purpurata. All those non-pouched, so called 'orchids' tend to be a bit boring to me. *grin* (I'm pushing
somebody's buttons, I'm sure...)." These do well for me (on the edge of the desert and the foothills of the mountains) mounted on cork. They do well with some shade.

.. . . Pam
Everything Orchid Management System http://home.earthlink.net/~profpam/page3.html




Mick Fournier wrote:

Rob,

I haven't reverse engineered the mix
www.aussie-gold.com

It looks like some of that brick peat moss mixed with diatomite chips the
size of a dime. I haven't really looked all that close at the total mix to
figure out the other ingredients... I've just started a new project
management job on overseeing the construction of a $53 million shopping mall
and the pay is so good I haven't been too concerned on what I pay for
compotting material lately. Maybe next year I will figure the mix out if I
get some free time.

I must say though... this mix is the best I have seen in years for new
seedlings fresh out of the flask. I am amazed at how good it works. I also
like it because the bugs don't want to settle on or in it.

Mick

PS, Cattleyas rule.

===================




"Rob Halgren" wrote in message
...


Mick Fournier wrote


whim for $18. It is primarily the Van-Rolen Horticultural diatomite


mix...


I tried it on seedlings coming right out of the flask and I want to tell


you


all this stuff is gold. Great drainage, Cattleyas (which is the only


orchid


really worth collecting incidentally) and Phals love it, you can't


overwater


this mix for some inherent reason in its natural make-up, it appears pH


So Mick, what is Van-Rolen Horticultural diatomite mix? Do you know the
recipe? I can't afford the Aussie stuff and they ain't sayin'.

Brassavola nodosa is one of the few cattleyas actually worth
collecting... And Laelia purpurata. All those non-pouched, so called
'orchids' tend to be a bit boring to me. *grin* (I'm pushing
somebody's buttons, I'm sure...).

Rob (paph-rat)


clip