The Orchid Garden

proper watering and potting mix

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We need more information to help you. What kind of orchids are you growing? In what part of the country do you live? Answers to both questions will help give you the correct info that you need. Sharon I would like to know the proper potting material.  I just use bark chips. Should I be using a mixture? Also, I need to know the proper method of watering.  Should they be kept damp all the time or should they dry out and water.  I have my orchids in my sun room.  Should they be kept away from direct sun or is partial day of direct sun ok?

Basics for potting orchids, bark or woodchips, perlite, some people also add charcoal( I just started adding that to my mix) this is all to ensure it drains well, orchids hate to sit in water.  You should also change your mix each year after the orchids are done blooming, they say never repot while the orchids still have flowers. I usually water my orchids once a week in the winter and when it gets much warmer I water them every two to three days.  Also, you should feed your orchids every time you water them.  I am bad at remembering to do that so I bought time release feed that last 3 months, so I sprinkle that on the top of the bark so I don’t have to remember to feed.  I am sure there are some die hards that will poo poo that method, but it works for me. As far as where you should have your orchids, the first lady who replyed to your message was correct you would have to know which kind of orchid you are dealing with to give good advice.  Reason being is there are some very delicate orchids that I found the hard way prefer very little indirect light where as other hardy orchids will take some sun.  Just as a rule I never put my orchids in full sunlight all day long. I just picked up recently too that if your leaves are too dark green then they need a little more sun then they are getting (this is good advise I found or those delicate orchids I found).  I this case I move them to a different location for a few hours, maybe someplace that gets morning sun. Hope this info helps! Janice

Response:

I would like to know the proper potting material.  I just use bark chips. Should I be using a mixture?

Have you had success with just bark chips?? If so, continue. Whatever works for you works for you! Potting material usually is a very personal thing, so its difficult for one person to tel another person whay to pot in. That said, let me tell you what I use *G*!! For cattleyas I use fine bark with some perlite and some lava rock. Probably 2:1:1 in ratios… That’s really my standard mix. Maybe I’ll toss in some coconut husk chips if I have any handy. I’ll use plastic pots. Most books will tell you bark (fine or medium grade) and perlite, 4:1. Also, I need to know the proper method of watering.  Should they be kept damp all the time or should they dry out and water.  

That’s the $64,000 question. How damp is damp? How dry is dry? Some orchids like to dry off quickly, some like to dry off completely over time, and some can’t stand not to be evenly moist. What kind of orchids are you growing? When in doubt err on the side of dryness, only because more orchids have been killed by overwatering than under watering. I have my orchids in my sun room.  Should they be kept away from direct sun or is partial day of direct sun ok?

Usually the morning sun is ‘cooler’, so most folks will find that sun to be less detrimental to their orchids than the heat of teh afternoon sun, when its had all day to bake. One test you can do is to feel the plant’s leaves and see how hot they get. Also if the plant starts turning red or blistering thats too much light for it. Are you in the USA?? A good cheap reference book is the Ortho book on orchid care. Most garden centers and Home Depot will have it or can get it. Heck, try amazon.com for that matter… K Barrett

Response:

Oops, – answering my own post again – Yikes!! Anyway I wanted to point out that Valerie Tonkin – of Tonkins Orchids – grows everthing is fine bark. That’s it… nothing else.. it works for her in her situation. I can’t duplicate her succcess though I’ve tried to duplicate her methods. K – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like to know the proper potting material.  I just use bark chips. Should I be using a mixture? Have you had success with just bark chips?? If so, continue. Whatever works for you works for you! Potting material usually is a very personal thing, so its difficult for one person to tel another person whay to pot in. That said, let me tell you what I use *G*!! For cattleyas I use fine bark with some perlite and some lava rock. Probably 2:1:1 in ratios… That’s really my standard mix. Maybe I’ll toss in some coconut husk chips if I have any handy. I’ll use plastic pots. Most books will tell you bark (fine or medium grade) and perlite, 4:1. Also, I need to know the proper method of watering.  Should they be kept damp all the time or should they dry out and water. That’s the $64,000 question. How damp is damp? How dry is dry? Some orchids like to dry off quickly, some like to dry off completely over time, and some can’t stand not to be evenly moist. What kind of orchids are you growing? When in doubt err on the side of dryness, only because more orchids have been killed by overwatering than under watering. I have my orchids in my sun room.  Should they be kept away from direct sun or is partial day of direct sun ok? Usually the morning sun is ‘cooler’, so most folks will find that sun to be less detrimental to their orchids than the heat of teh afternoon sun, when its had all day to bake. One test you can do is to feel the plant’s leaves and see how hot they get. Also if the plant starts turning red or blistering thats too much light for it. Are you in the USA?? A good cheap reference book is the Ortho book on orchid care. Most garden centers and Home Depot will have it or can get it. Heck, try amazon.com for that matter… K Barrett

Response:

We have lots of details on water and potting mixture (as well as lights etc) at: http://www.users.cloud9.net/~epeople/orchid/orchid.shtml Water is tricky so please read it closely. Joe Collins I would like to know the proper potting material.  I just use bark chips. Should I be using a mixture? Also, I need to know the proper method of watering.  Should they be kept damp all the time or should they dry out and water.  I have my orchids in my sun room.  Should they be kept away from direct sun or is partial day of direct sun ok?

Response:

We need more information to help you. What kind of orchids are you growing? In what part of the country do you live? Answers to both questions will help give you the correct info that you need. Sharon

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like to know the proper potting material.  I just use bark chips. Should I be using a mixture? Also, I need to know the proper method of watering.  Should they be kept damp all the time or should they dry out and water.  I have my orchids in my sun room.  Should they be kept away from direct sun or is partial day of direct sun ok?

Response:

I would like to know the proper potting material.  I just use bark chips. Should I be using a mixture? Also, I need to know the proper method of watering.  Should they be kept damp all the time or should they dry out and water.  I have my orchids in my sun room.  Should they be kept away from direct sun or is partial day of direct sun ok?

Response:

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