Danielle wrote:
im doing ok because i bought it last night. it hasn't been in my care
long enough to kill it. I just ran to my living room and have convinced
myself that it is soil.... is there any sure way to tell that it isn't,
because ive convinced myself it is.... it even smells the same as my
african violet dirt....


Well, there is an orchid blooming in it, so whatever the medium it is
working ok... Does that help relieve your worry? There is a certain
element of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' to rely on.

Many, if not most, commercially available potting mixes (african violet
dirt, etc) are actually soilless mixes. It usually even says that on
the bag. Most of these are based on peat moss, although there are some
other options. Why? Lots of reasons, one of which is that topsoil is
notoriously variable in composition, nutrient availability, and
everything else. Peat moss, however, is peat moss, pretty much the
world around. Commercial vendors of potting mixes want a consistent
product.

Now if you want to put the phal in bark or something that looks a lot
less like dirt after it blooms, go for it. You have to grow in
something you are comfortable with.


--
Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit