On the subject of re-potting orchids. The person who works at the local nursery
told me not to use spaghum moss but to use Spanish Moss instead and mix it
50/50 with charcol.
Is this a good idea?
Help!
Thanks
Linda

No.

K Barrett

"Ebthtr" wrote in message
...
On the subject of re-potting orchids. The person who works at the local
nursery
told me not to use spaghum moss but to use Spanish Moss instead and mix it
50/50 with charcol.
Is this a good idea?
Help!
Thanks
Linda

Not only is it a bad recommendation by itself, but the advisor appears to be ignoring the "minor
details" of what kind of plant it is and what kind of conditions you have to grow in.

Spanish moss is a bromeliad - Tillandsia usneoides - and is not very water-absorbent. Using it in a
potting medium often will lead to fairly rapid rotting. Adding a bit of charcoal to sphagnum, on
the other hand, can actually extend its life as a medium. How much you add should be tailored to
the needs of the plant and your conditions.

--

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

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Ebthtr" wrote in message
...
On the subject of re-potting orchids. The person who works at the local nursery
told me not to use spaghum moss but to use Spanish Moss instead and mix it
50/50 with charcol.
Is this a good idea?
Help!
Thanks
Linda

Get a new orchid advisor....

Diana

"Ray" wrote in message
...
Not only is it a bad recommendation by itself, but the advisor appears to
be ignoring the "minor
details" of what kind of plant it is and what kind of conditions you have
to grow in.

Spanish moss is a bromeliad - Tillandsia usneoides - and is not very
water-absorbent. Using it in a
potting medium often will lead to fairly rapid rotting. Adding a bit of
charcoal to sphagnum, on
the other hand, can actually extend its life as a medium. How much you
add should be tailored to
the needs of the plant and your conditions.

--

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

. . . . . . . . . . .
"Ebthtr" wrote in message
...
On the subject of re-potting orchids. The person who works at the local
nursery
told me not to use spaghum moss but to use Spanish Moss instead and mix
it
50/50 with charcol.
Is this a good idea?
Help!
Thanks
Linda

Welcome Linda, your question has been answered so please let us
know what type of orchid you have. There should be a tag in the pot
with the plant.
Ask all the questions you want, you will get lots of advice here.
--
Cheers Wendy

Remove PETERPAN for email reply

Ebthtr wrote:
On the subject of re-potting orchids. The person who works at the
local nursery told me not to use spaghum moss but to use Spanish Moss
instead and mix it 50/50 with charcol.
Is this a good idea?
Help!
Thanks
Linda

Subject: Moss question Help!
From: "wendy7"
Date: 6/17/04 12:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id: 3n9Ac.4883$tC5.2277@fed1read02

Welcome Linda, your question has been answered so please let us
know what type of orchid you have. There should be a tag in the pot
with the plant.
Ask all the questions you want, you will get lots of advice here.
--
Cheers Wendy

All of you have been so helpful!
I have phals and oncidium. They are all about a year old now and re-blooming
like crazy except for the one that had root problems. (Which I learned more
about here, thank you very much!). It's so amazing....when I went around to
different places in NYC that sell orchids and asked questions I received these
looks of fear and anger from the sellers...my quess is that they are only
"middlemen" who get orchids from growers and re-sell them at very high prices.
My 8 phals, 3 onncidium and 1 dendrobium are all from box stores with the
exception of 2 of the phals which were left for dead by their previous owners
and are now coming along just fine.
I want to start growing them hydroponically....it really looks like the way to
go. I have to go back to the nursery that sold me the Spanish Moss/Charcol and
talk to them. It says on the receipt that it's store credit only. Thank
goodness I didn't open the packages, 'cause I just had a gut feeling that the
salesperson's advice was wrong.
Thanks again to everyone.
Linda

On 17 Jun 2004 11:24:49 GMT, ojunk (Ebthtr) wrote:

My 8 phals, 3 onncidium and 1 dendrobium are all from box stores with the
exception of 2 of the phals which were left for dead by their previous owners
and are now coming along just fine.

Yes, she has the disease ... excuse me, Welcome to the hobby.

I want to start growing them hydroponically....it really looks like the way to
go.

There is a good article on Semi-Hydroponics at First Rays. This
is the style of hydroponics most of us use. www.firstrays.com
Lots of other good advice in his free information section.

I have to go back to the nursery that sold me the Spanish Moss/Charcol and
talk to them. It says on the receipt that it's store credit only.

That may have been as close as they could get to what you were
asking for; at least in that sales persons mind. You may have to
check out their plants to spend that credit. I have found most
stores with this policy are generally un-helpful.

Thanks again to everyone.
Linda

Have you looked for an Orchid Society that meets in your town?
http://orchidweb.org/affiliated.html This listing will help you
find the meeting and local growers.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php