On 17/02/2014 13:19, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Spider" wrote ...

Bob Hobden wrote:
"Spider" wrote

I've spent a large part of the day splitting and repotting a huge
Cymbidium, then repotting a number of phaelenopsis. I'm keeping my
fingers crossed that the Cymbidium with settle down and grow away.
I'm not expecting flowers this year, but would like them to survive.

Because the compost I had was rather too chunky with mostly bark and
other woody chippings, I decided to improve it by adding some bulb
compost. Not too much, of course! I didn't want to use multipurpose
compost as there's usually too much feed in it. It seemed to me that
bulb compost was generally well-drained, little or no nutrient, plus
some charcoal to keep it 'sweet'. So, for better or worse, I put the
well-drained chunky stuff in the base for drainage, then mixed both
composts to suit each orchid. I shall keep a close eye on them in
case it is too moist, but I am hopeful.

What do others use when tinkering with orchid mixes?

Depends on the orchid and the way you intend to grow them, mine are all
It coating the sides, the roots seem to thrive in it.




Thanks, Bob. I like the idea of the moss! Thriving roots mean thriving
orchids:~). I'll have to get some moss and try that with the remainder
of my phals. I don't suppose I can use moss from the garden, can I?
If not, I'll look for sphagnum at the gc.


Bulb fibre with a handful of smaller bark chips seems to be similar to
what McBeans uses for it's Cymbidiums. Do remember they are heavy
feeders when in growth, the best one I ever saw grown (by a non orchid
expert) was fed on the liquid from his worm composter and left on a S.
facing patio all summer until just before the first frost, he always got
a stunning display of flowers.




Yes, I know they're heavy feeders, but my memory lets me down
sometimes:~(. Because I gave my Cyms a good long holiday outside last
year *and* remembered to feed them (dilute tomato food), I had flowers
on mine for the first time since I bought them. I will do that again
this year.
The worm compost liquid sounds like a good (and inexpensive) idea. I
don't suppose you know what dilution was used?


Yes, use live sphagnum moss as sold for hanging baskets, be careful it's
not dead but coloured as I've seen some about. Don't use much just a few
bits mixed in. No I don't remember what dilution he used if I ever knew.



Thanks for that, Bob. I'll try live sphagnum then.
--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay