potting straight into coconut chips
 

Hey all
Has anyone had experience planting paphs straight into CHC.What were
the results etc.I think learning to water it differently would be the
first step.I have used it for the last few years as an addition and
the plants love it.
Just thinking about it as i go out to start repotting.)-:
STUART
SYDNEY AUSTRALIA

potting straight into coconut chips
 

Stuie wrote:

Hey all
Has anyone had experience planting paphs straight into CHC.What were
the results etc.I think learning to water it differently would be the
first step.I have used it for the last few years as an addition and
the plants love it.
Just thinking about it as i go out to start repotting.)-:
STUART
SYDNEY AUSTRALIA


I use about 2:1:1 CHC:perlite:charcoal. The biggest perlite and
charcoal I can buy. I've done a few in straight CHC, and in my opinion
it stays a bit too wet for paphs. Might be ok for phrags. If you were
to use the very large size (1/2-1") and a clay pot, then sure, I've done
that and it works. Smaller grades and plastic pots would not be a good
idea without some sort of addtion.

Your results will be greatly improved if you soak your CHC in several
changes of pure water (RO or rainwater). Regardless of what it says on
the label, presume you need to wash it. Besides, that will wash out
some of the fines and hydrate the CHC nicely.

Also, regardless of the fact that all of these components should last
for at least 5 years, I have found (much to my sorrow) that two years is
pretty much the outside limit. I've finally got around to repotting
again, and anything in mix that is much older than two years is
suffering. Some are rootless wonders. Some are looking for freedom. I
strongly suspect that this is more a phenomenon of salt accumulation
than rotting mix, but I'm going back to my previous habit of repotting
paphs every year. They always respond well.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
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 purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit

potting straight into coconut chips
 

Hey Rob,

I am glad you said it because this is one of those things I have just kept
my mouth shut about. But my experience has been that CHC only lasts a year
or two. I have no idea what the conditions are that lets CHC last five
years, but I know I do not have them. I too am repotting CHC once a year.
For Paphs I am pretty happy mixing bark and CHC 1 to 1 instead of using all
of one or the other.

Pat


"Rob Halgren" wrote and I lifted in message
...

Also, regardless of the fact that all of these components should last
for at least 5 years, I have found (much to my sorrow) that two years is
pretty much the outside limit. I've finally got around to repotting
again, and anything in mix that is much older than two years is
suffering. Some are rootless wonders. Some are looking for freedom. I
strongly suspect that this is more a phenomenon of salt accumulation
than rotting mix, but I'm going back to my previous habit of repotting
paphs every year. They always respond well.

Rob

--

potting straight into coconut chips
 

Pat Brennan wrote:

Hey Rob,

I am glad you said it because this is one of those things I have just kept
my mouth shut about. But my experience has been that CHC only lasts a year
or two. I have no idea what the conditions are that lets CHC last five
years, but I know I do not have them. I too am repotting CHC once a year.
For Paphs I am pretty happy mixing bark and CHC 1 to 1 instead of using all
of one or the other.



The chips themselves look to be in good condition after two years.
So I suspect they would last a while. But I think the roots of my
little babies are too sensitive. So after a couple of years (2 seems
safe, 2+ not safe) I think something builds up in the mix. I don't know
that I would mix bark and CHC. A) I'm trying to avoid bark, that is why
I'm using CHC in the first place! *grin* and B) I like something
inorganic in my mix.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
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 purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit