repotting
 

It looks like it was planted with a brown moss like substance that has since
gotten green on top. What do I repot it with? It seems to be a 4inch pot.

repotting
 

Do you have a picture?

It sounds like sphagnum moss, you could repot it in that if that's what they
have done in the past.

If it is really overgrowing the pot you might repot into a 5 or 6" pot
otherwise just use the same one.

You didn't mention what type of orchid it is.

Remember that when you repot that you need to remove the old moss away from
the roots and then use fresh stuff.

Both Tasmanian and New Zealand Sphagnum moss is the best, don't use anything
less!!!!!

Good luck with it.


"scullytac" wrote in message
...
It looks like it was planted with a brown moss like substance that has
since
gotten green on top. What do I repot it with? It seems to be a 4inch pot.

repotting
 

Both Tasmanian and New Zealand Sphagnum moss is the best, don't use
anything
less!!!!!

How about chinees sphagnum
When you use sphagnum, doesn't it break down very fast when you use
fertilizer?
Peter

repotting
 

Scully,

I don't like moss for my plants. It holds too much water and the roots rot
when I use it.

I would recommend going to your local plant supply store and buy a bag of
premixed orchid mix. It will have chunks of wood bark, some chunks of peat
moss, perlite, charcoal, and maybe something you can't identify.

When you get it home take enough to over fill a flower pot and soak it in
some warm water for about an hour to hydrate the mix. Take the plant from
the pot and carefully remove the old moss mix. A popsicle stick helps to
get that stuff that is stuck up between the roots. Don't worry if some of
the mix remains on the plant when you're done.

Evaluate the roots and trim any dead rotting roots with a new clean single
edged razor blade.

Sit the plant back into the same pot it came from and put the mix around the
plant slowly. Tap the pot on the table
to cause the mix to settle. Fill the pot to the same level the plant was
growing before. Make sure the mix is tapped and pushed in the pot so that
the plant is not wobbly. A wobbly plant will kill new roots when they try
to grow.

Unlike other houseplants you don't have to water at this time because you
want some air pockets with orchids.

Sit the plant where it will grow and let it rest for a week before you
water. In a couple of weeks check again for settling of the mix and top off
the mix (use it dry this time) to bring the level back to the base of the
plant.

With bark mix you should be good for about a year before you have to do this
again. Note: your mileage may vary! Some people who grow plants too wet or
in very humid locations have to repot in less than a year.

There are many websites devoted to orchid potting if you need additional
information.

Good Growing,
Gene




"scullytac" wrote in message
...
It looks like it was planted with a brown moss like substance that has
since
gotten green on top. What do I repot it with? It seems to be a 4inch pot.

repotting
 

Very good explanation here Gene. Cheers Wendy
"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Scully,

I don't like moss for my plants. It holds too much water and the roots
rot
when I use it.

I would recommend going to your local plant supply store and buy a bag of
premixed orchid mix. It will have chunks of wood bark, some chunks of
peat
moss, perlite, charcoal, and maybe something you can't identify.

When you get it home take enough to over fill a flower pot and soak it in
some warm water for about an hour to hydrate the mix. Take the plant
from
the pot and carefully remove the old moss mix. A popsicle stick helps to
get that stuff that is stuck up between the roots. Don't worry if some of
the mix remains on the plant when you're done.

Evaluate the roots and trim any dead rotting roots with a new clean single
edged razor blade.

Sit the plant back into the same pot it came from and put the mix around
the
plant slowly. Tap the pot on the table
to cause the mix to settle. Fill the pot to the same level the plant was
growing before. Make sure the mix is tapped and pushed in the pot so that
the plant is not wobbly. A wobbly plant will kill new roots when they
try
to grow.

Unlike other houseplants you don't have to water at this time because you
want some air pockets with orchids.

Sit the plant where it will grow and let it rest for a week before you
water. In a couple of weeks check again for settling of the mix and top
off
the mix (use it dry this time) to bring the level back to the base of the
plant.

With bark mix you should be good for about a year before you have to do
this
again. Note: your mileage may vary! Some people who grow plants too wet
or
in very humid locations have to repot in less than a year.

There are many websites devoted to orchid potting if you need additional
information.

Good Growing,
Gene




"scullytac" wrote in message
...
It looks like it was planted with a brown moss like substance that has
since
gotten green on top. What do I repot it with? It seems to be a 4inch
pot.

repotting
 

On Sun, 22 Jun 2003 08:24:01 -0700, "Wendy"
wrote:

Very good explanation here Gene. Cheers Wendy
"Gene Schurg" wrote in message


That is what I was thinking Wendy. Gene you did a great job
explaining the how, why and wherefor.
Somebody capture that one for the FAQ we say we are going to
write someday.

SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

repotting
 

Gee....you guys are too nice.


"Susan Erickson" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 22 Jun 2003 08:24:01 -0700, "Wendy"
wrote:

Very good explanation here Gene. Cheers Wendy
"Gene Schurg" wrote in message


That is what I was thinking Wendy. Gene you did a great job
explaining the how, why and wherefor.
Somebody capture that one for the FAQ we say we are going to
write someday.

SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

repotting
 

As a very new beginner, I found this most helpful. I have printed it out
for future reference and I have put it in my ever growing orchid folder.
Thanks.
Sno in Oz
"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Scully,

I don't like moss for my plants. It holds too much water and the roots
rot
when I use it.

I would recommend going to your local plant supply store and buy a bag of
premixed orchid mix. It will have chunks of wood bark, some chunks of
peat
moss, perlite, charcoal, and maybe something you can't identify.

When you get it home take enough to over fill a flower pot and soak it in
some warm water for about an hour to hydrate the mix. Take the plant
from
the pot and carefully remove the old moss mix. A popsicle stick helps to
get that stuff that is stuck up between the roots. Don't worry if some of
the mix remains on the plant when you're done.

Evaluate the roots and trim any dead rotting roots with a new clean single
edged razor blade.

Sit the plant back into the same pot it came from and put the mix around
the
plant slowly. Tap the pot on the table
to cause the mix to settle. Fill the pot to the same level the plant was
growing before. Make sure the mix is tapped and pushed in the pot so that
the plant is not wobbly. A wobbly plant will kill new roots when they
try
to grow.

Unlike other houseplants you don't have to water at this time because you
want some air pockets with orchids.

Sit the plant where it will grow and let it rest for a week before you
water. In a couple of weeks check again for settling of the mix and top
off
the mix (use it dry this time) to bring the level back to the base of the
plant.

With bark mix you should be good for about a year before you have to do
this
again. Note: your mileage may vary! Some people who grow plants too wet
or
in very humid locations have to repot in less than a year.

There are many websites devoted to orchid potting if you need additional
information.

Good Growing,
Gene




"scullytac" wrote in message
...
It looks like it was planted with a brown moss like substance that has
since
gotten green on top. What do I repot it with? It seems to be a 4inch
pot.

repotting
 

I will stick with what I say that NZ and Tasmania have the best Sphagnum.

It can break down a little faster with fertiliser but I haven't noticed the
difference to be honest.

It seems to be ok with my sphagnum.

"Boystrup Pb, ann,..." wrote in message
. be...

Both Tasmanian and New Zealand Sphagnum moss is the best, don't use
anything
less!!!!!

How about chinees sphagnum
When you use sphagnum, doesn't it break down very fast when you use
fertilizer?
Peter

repotting
 

That's interesting because the nurseries that I buy my orchids from (and
whom grow champion plants consistently) use nothing but sphagnum moss for
certain types of plants.

They say nothing grows better in it. I don't know if that's true but I have
seen the results of moss and I use it myself without root rot.

It may depend on your climate but it works for me.


"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Scully,

I don't like moss for my plants. It holds too much water and the roots
rot
when I use it.

I would recommend going to your local plant supply store and buy a bag of
premixed orchid mix. It will have chunks of wood bark, some chunks of
peat
moss, perlite, charcoal, and maybe something you can't identify.

When you get it home take enough to over fill a flower pot and soak it in
some warm water for about an hour to hydrate the mix. Take the plant
from
the pot and carefully remove the old moss mix. A popsicle stick helps to
get that stuff that is stuck up between the roots. Don't worry if some of
the mix remains on the plant when you're done.

Evaluate the roots and trim any dead rotting roots with a new clean single
edged razor blade.

Sit the plant back into the same pot it came from and put the mix around
the
plant slowly. Tap the pot on the table
to cause the mix to settle. Fill the pot to the same level the plant was
growing before. Make sure the mix is tapped and pushed in the pot so that
the plant is not wobbly. A wobbly plant will kill new roots when they
try
to grow.

Unlike other houseplants you don't have to water at this time because you
want some air pockets with orchids.

Sit the plant where it will grow and let it rest for a week before you
water. In a couple of weeks check again for settling of the mix and top
off
the mix (use it dry this time) to bring the level back to the base of the
plant.

With bark mix you should be good for about a year before you have to do
this
again. Note: your mileage may vary! Some people who grow plants too wet
or
in very humid locations have to repot in less than a year.

There are many websites devoted to orchid potting if you need additional
information.

Good Growing,
Gene




"scullytac" wrote in message
...
It looks like it was planted with a brown moss like substance that has
since
gotten green on top. What do I repot it with? It seems to be a 4inch
pot.

repotting
 

Bolero,

Moss works great for some people. I think a lot of commercial growers use
it because it's reasonably priced and doesn't fall out of the pot when a
plant is shipped to the retail market. It's also lighter than the bark mix
so shipping charges would be a bit less. When you have to pay the bills
with the profit I'm sure a couple of cents makes the difference between
staying in business or not.

I grow all my phals in clay pots with cocohusk mixed with aliflor. In my
culture the sphagnum seemed to break down quickly and held too much water.
I do use it for phals that I grow on mounts and in vanda baskets. I like
the weight of the clay and the CHC mix. As clumsy as I am I tend to knock
plants over when they are in a lighter pot.

If it works for you then don't change. Everyone has different culture. I
wouldn't recommend it for a beginner who is still learning the fine art of
orchid watering.

Good growing,
Gene




"Bolero" wrote in message
u...
That's interesting because the nurseries that I buy my orchids from (and
whom grow champion plants consistently) use nothing but sphagnum moss for
certain types of plants.

They say nothing grows better in it. I don't know if that's true but I
have
seen the results of moss and I use it myself without root rot.

It may depend on your climate but it works for me.


"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Scully,

I don't like moss for my plants. It holds too much water and the roots
rot
when I use it.

I would recommend going to your local plant supply store and buy a bag
of
premixed orchid mix. It will have chunks of wood bark, some chunks of
peat
moss, perlite, charcoal, and maybe something you can't identify.

When you get it home take enough to over fill a flower pot and soak it
in
some warm water for about an hour to hydrate the mix. Take the plant
from
the pot and carefully remove the old moss mix. A popsicle stick helps
to
get that stuff that is stuck up between the roots. Don't worry if some
of
the mix remains on the plant when you're done.

Evaluate the roots and trim any dead rotting roots with a new clean
single
edged razor blade.

Sit the plant back into the same pot it came from and put the mix around
the
plant slowly. Tap the pot on the table
to cause the mix to settle. Fill the pot to the same level the plant
was
growing before. Make sure the mix is tapped and pushed in the pot so
that
the plant is not wobbly. A wobbly plant will kill new roots when they
try
to grow.

Unlike other houseplants you don't have to water at this time because
you
want some air pockets with orchids.

Sit the plant where it will grow and let it rest for a week before you
water. In a couple of weeks check again for settling of the mix and top
off
the mix (use it dry this time) to bring the level back to the base of
the
plant.

With bark mix you should be good for about a year before you have to do
this
again. Note: your mileage may vary! Some people who grow plants too
wet
or
in very humid locations have to repot in less than a year.

There are many websites devoted to orchid potting if you need additional
information.

Good Growing,
Gene




"scullytac" wrote in message
...
It looks like it was planted with a brown moss like substance that has
since
gotten green on top. What do I repot it with? It seems to be a 4inch
pot.

repotting
 

The big wholesalers like to use sphagnum for the reasons Gene mentioned --
lightweight, etc. And used properly, it can be a great medium, esp. for
phals. But a lot of those same wholesalers repot shortly before shipping
[to gain that extra pot size and thus up the price], in a rush, and the moss
ends up packed too tight. Packed too tightly, it holds too much water most
of the time, but if it ever does dry out, it's _very_ hard to re-wet.

We use sphagnum [NZ] only in our phals, and we cut it with medium bark to
prevent over-compaction. This allows us to go 2 years before having to
repot. Our catts, dens and oncids are in a mix of lava rock, charcoal and
CHC [proportions vary, more lava rock for the catts and dens, more CHC for
more moisture for the oncids].

Good growing,

--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com
"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
thlink.net...
Bolero,

Moss works great for some people. I think a lot of commercial growers use
it because it's reasonably priced and doesn't fall out of the pot when a
plant is shipped to the retail market. It's also lighter than the bark
mix
so shipping charges would be a bit less. When you have to pay the bills
with the profit I'm sure a couple of cents makes the difference between
staying in business or not.

I grow all my phals in clay pots with cocohusk mixed with aliflor. In my
culture the sphagnum seemed to break down quickly and held too much water.
I do use it for phals that I grow on mounts and in vanda baskets. I like
the weight of the clay and the CHC mix. As clumsy as I am I tend to knock
plants over when they are in a lighter pot.

If it works for you then don't change. Everyone has different culture. I
wouldn't recommend it for a beginner who is still learning the fine art of
orchid watering.

Good growing,
Gene




"Bolero" wrote in message
u...
That's interesting because the nurseries that I buy my orchids from (and
whom grow champion plants consistently) use nothing but sphagnum moss
for
certain types of plants.

They say nothing grows better in it. I don't know if that's true but I
have
seen the results of moss and I use it myself without root rot.

It may depend on your climate but it works for me.


"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Scully,

I don't like moss for my plants. It holds too much water and the
roots
rot
when I use it.

I would recommend going to your local plant supply store and buy a bag
of
premixed orchid mix. It will have chunks of wood bark, some chunks of
peat
moss, perlite, charcoal, and maybe something you can't identify.

When you get it home take enough to over fill a flower pot and soak it
in
some warm water for about an hour to hydrate the mix. Take the plant
from
the pot and carefully remove the old moss mix. A popsicle stick helps
to
get that stuff that is stuck up between the roots. Don't worry if
some
of
the mix remains on the plant when you're done.

Evaluate the roots and trim any dead rotting roots with a new clean
single
edged razor blade.

Sit the plant back into the same pot it came from and put the mix
around
the
plant slowly. Tap the pot on the table
to cause the mix to settle. Fill the pot to the same level the plant
was
growing before. Make sure the mix is tapped and pushed in the pot so
that
the plant is not wobbly. A wobbly plant will kill new roots when
they
try
to grow.

Unlike other houseplants you don't have to water at this time because
you
want some air pockets with orchids.

Sit the plant where it will grow and let it rest for a week before you
water. In a couple of weeks check again for settling of the mix and
top
off
the mix (use it dry this time) to bring the level back to the base of
the
plant.

With bark mix you should be good for about a year before you have to
do
this
again. Note: your mileage may vary! Some people who grow plants too
wet
or
in very humid locations have to repot in less than a year.

There are many websites devoted to orchid potting if you need
additional
information.

Good Growing,
Gene




"scullytac" wrote in message
...
It looks like it was planted with a brown moss like substance that
has
since
gotten green on top. What do I repot it with? It seems to be a 4inch
pot.

repotting
 

Bolero ) wrote:
: That's interesting because the nurseries that I buy my orchids from (and
: whom grow champion plants consistently) use nothing but sphagnum moss for
: certain types of plants.

: They say nothing grows better in it. I don't know if that's true but I have
: seen the results of moss and I use it myself without root rot.

One grower (Gold Country Orchids) told me that some batches of bark may have
toxins in them (arsenic IIRC). This grower uses moss exclusively at least
partly for that reason (or so he says). A Cattleya I got from him has done
well in moss for me. That said, I'm not very comfortable with moss either so
when I re-potted it recently (it outgrew the pot) I put it in CHC. FWIW, the
root mass was far larger than those that were grown in bark. Of course that
might more a function of my husbandry tha the media so who knows? :-) We'll
see what difference the CHC makes when it comes time to repot again.

: It may depend on your climate but it works for me.

The extra moisture retention is probably a good thing in my situation since
my orchids are not in a greenhouse.

Dave

repotting
 

Gene Schurg wrote:

If it works for you then don't change. Everyone has different culture. I
wouldn't recommend it for a beginner who is still learning the fine art of
orchid watering.


Like all media, sphagnum's suitability totally depends on
what, how and where you grow, which is why I don't take much
notice of people who adamantly support or reject a given
media unless I know they're growing their plants under the
same conditions as mine. Here in Melbourne (Oz) sphagnum is
fantastic for Masdavallia as it holds water and keeps the
roots cool during our hot summers. Try to use some of the
mixes recommended by US growers over here and such plants
would struggle. The down side is that under Melbourne
shadehouse/coolhouse conditions it will need replacing
yearly, although if you add polystyrene to the sphagnum you
may be able to get two years out of it.

As for the commercial growers Bolero mentioned, weight may
be a reason why they use this media but cost certainly
isn't. In southern Australia (where Bolero is posting from),
it's far more economical to use radiata pine bark than
sphagnum. I reserve sphagnum only for those plants that need
it.

Andrew

repotting
 

Agreed, moss probably isn't for beginners.

Also I wouldn't recommend it for every species but certain ones do grow
better in it.

"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
thlink.net...
Bolero,

Moss works great for some people. I think a lot of commercial growers use
it because it's reasonably priced and doesn't fall out of the pot when a
plant is shipped to the retail market. It's also lighter than the bark
mix
so shipping charges would be a bit less. When you have to pay the bills
with the profit I'm sure a couple of cents makes the difference between
staying in business or not.

I grow all my phals in clay pots with cocohusk mixed with aliflor. In my
culture the sphagnum seemed to break down quickly and held too much water.
I do use it for phals that I grow on mounts and in vanda baskets. I like
the weight of the clay and the CHC mix. As clumsy as I am I tend to knock
plants over when they are in a lighter pot.

If it works for you then don't change. Everyone has different culture. I
wouldn't recommend it for a beginner who is still learning the fine art of
orchid watering.

Good growing,
Gene




"Bolero" wrote in message
u...
That's interesting because the nurseries that I buy my orchids from (and
whom grow champion plants consistently) use nothing but sphagnum moss
for
certain types of plants.

They say nothing grows better in it. I don't know if that's true but I
have
seen the results of moss and I use it myself without root rot.

It may depend on your climate but it works for me.


"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Scully,

I don't like moss for my plants. It holds too much water and the
roots
rot
when I use it.

I would recommend going to your local plant supply store and buy a bag
of
premixed orchid mix. It will have chunks of wood bark, some chunks of
peat
moss, perlite, charcoal, and maybe something you can't identify.

When you get it home take enough to over fill a flower pot and soak it
in
some warm water for about an hour to hydrate the mix. Take the plant
from
the pot and carefully remove the old moss mix. A popsicle stick helps
to
get that stuff that is stuck up between the roots. Don't worry if
some
of
the mix remains on the plant when you're done.

Evaluate the roots and trim any dead rotting roots with a new clean
single
edged razor blade.

Sit the plant back into the same pot it came from and put the mix
around
the
plant slowly. Tap the pot on the table
to cause the mix to settle. Fill the pot to the same level the plant
was
growing before. Make sure the mix is tapped and pushed in the pot so
that
the plant is not wobbly. A wobbly plant will kill new roots when
they
try
to grow.

Unlike other houseplants you don't have to water at this time because
you
want some air pockets with orchids.

Sit the plant where it will grow and let it rest for a week before you
water. In a couple of weeks check again for settling of the mix and
top
off
the mix (use it dry this time) to bring the level back to the base of
the
plant.

With bark mix you should be good for about a year before you have to
do
this
again. Note: your mileage may vary! Some people who grow plants too
wet
or
in very humid locations have to repot in less than a year.

There are many websites devoted to orchid potting if you need
additional
information.

Good Growing,
Gene




"scullytac" wrote in message
...
It looks like it was planted with a brown moss like substance that
has
since
gotten green on top. What do I repot it with? It seems to be a 4inch
pot.