Vic,

The vast majority of orchids we cultivate are epiphytic, so maintaining good
air flow around the root system is an important aspect of keeping them
healthy. Those so-called "slotted orchid pots" are designed to provide
extra air flow through the medium, not really for "extra drainage," per se.
However, with the proper selection of medium in relation to the particular
needs of the plant and the cultural specifics that you routinely provide,
providing those extra slots is unnecessary.

It's all a balancing act between air flow, medium water retention, and your
conditions and watering tendencies. Coarser media provide better air flow,
but may dry out faster - good for a cattleya, but bad for a phalaenopsis.
So, if I am trying to grow both, I'd probably tailor the media a bit and use
different pots - more water retention for the phal by using a plastic pot
and/or adding something to the medium to make it hold more moisture - so I
could water them the same but get different in-pot conditions.

Also, as practical advice, I find that starting with a coarse, airy medium
and adding sphagnum or other moisture-holding ingredients is a better
approach for me than starting with a wet medium and trying to open it up.
--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


wrote in message
...
On Thu, 26 May 2005 20:26:31 -0400, "Ray"
wrote:

Could be a mixture based upon chunky peat, which mostly comes from Canada
anyway...

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!



After looking at the list of growing media at
http://www.vex.net/~jyd/TAVS/Docs/orchids.htm and viewing the photos
at http://www.kkorchid.com/1medium_potting.asp I'd have to guess that
you're right and it is some type of peat mix.

So where is the best place to buy some more or can I just use regular
old peat moss? Will any old nursery or do I have to find some orchid
specialist? If so, can anybody recommend one in the Toronto or
Kitchener-Waterloo area? I know there are a some very reputable,
online vendors in the group here, but I still prefer to shop in
person.

Ray, I took a look at the supplies on your site, and I've got a
question for you. The pots that you show look like the regular plant
pots that I'm used to. The clay pot that came with the phal is
different. In addition to the bottom drainage hole, it has four long,
skinny, vertical slats/drainage holes that run half the height of the
pot itself. I guess this lets more air into the roots, and helps in
the drainage -- or am I just deluding myself? It wouldn't be the first
time. g
--Vic