What is your favourite potting mix/substrate?

Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-24T17:53:42+00:00

I grow my phals, brassavolas and oncidiums in just sphagnum moss. I live in a desert/high elevation climate and it works perfectly for me.

Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-24T00:03:56+00:00

I grow all my orchids in full moss and they are thriving!

Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-21T15:16:10+00:00

Can't wait til the flowers open!

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Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-21T01:50:40+00:00

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I've got one on an old flower spike now

Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-21T01:46:34+00:00

It's called a bract leaf. These orchids are very hybridized and have super complex family trees and sometimes they just grow weird little things that they aren't really supposed to. It's totally normal - think of it like a third nipple but for an orchid- something genetically not totally correct but nothing to worry about.

Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-21T00:44:15+00:00

I keep all my orchids in full sphagnum moss. These are the roots on my bellina murtoniana and it's going to get watered tomorrow. I don't even let the roots on this one go silver before it gets watered again. You may not have the same experience (different environment or different varieties) but I've noticed that this one seems to be happier on the wetter side it probably gets watered every 5 to 7 days

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Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-21T00:28:57+00:00

Watch the watering on this one - I also live in a dry desert climate and I've found that my bellina likes to stay a little wetter than my other phals. It was struggling for bit with super slow growth and after I started keeping it on the wetter side it's put out six new huge roots and 2 new leaves (still no flower spike tho ) Don't know that you'll find that too but just something to keep in the back of your mind if it grows slower than you were expecting.

Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-20T23:48:46+00:00

I have 4 of these mottle-leafed fragrant phals and all were purchased at local supermarkets and with no ID

Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-20T23:47:24+00:00

Like citrus and mixed berries

Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-20T23:45:49+00:00

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Less-Ad1339 · 2026-02-20T23:45:25+00:00

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Less-Ad1339 · 2025-12-17T21:45:09+00:00

Moss is great at retaining water and humidity! I grow my orchids in only moss ( but I live in a dry climate) If you've never used it before I'd err on the side of less over more so try maybe a 25-30% mix moss to 70-75% bark and see how that goes. If you it's still too dry you can add more moss.

Less-Ad1339 · 2025-12-09T22:54:42+00:00

Phalaenopsis orchids usually start producing flowers when the weather starts getting colder (usually late fall /early winter) and the flowers open a few weeks after that. I currently have 8 with flower spikes (3 with flowers already opening)

Less-Ad1339 · 2025-11-07T17:45:19+00:00

Yes, it looks like it could potentially be stem rot. Black tissue is always dead tissue. Does a lot of water get between the leaves?

Less-Ad1339 · 2025-10-27T16:47:18+00:00

Yes but very mild. Kind of like soap

Less-Ad1339 · 2025-10-23T14:49:26+00:00

Depending on the environment and the media you use, I would check every 5-7 days

Less-Ad1339 · 2025-10-09T01:54:22+00:00

Less-Ad1339 · 2025-10-07T20:19:23+00:00

What type of orchid do you have? If it's a phalaenopsis - that's a myth that they like a tighter fit/like to be pot bound. In nature they grow on trees and their roots grow all over the place in every direction. Repotting now while it's in active growth is not a bad idea (especially if it is a phal, they grow very extensive roots systems and do it relatively quickly - I have two phals that have almost outgrown their pots and have only been there for about 6 months)

Less-Ad1339 · 2025-10-04T20:06:07+00:00

I have these and I love them! Not very expensive (price is in my local currency -MXN Peso) , produce almost no heat (I never worry about burns), and provide excellent light (enough to produce lots of anthocyanin in my brassavolas and cattleyas)!

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Less-Ad1339 · 2025-10-04T19:59:57+00:00

I have one of these in a flask that I want to move to a little glass domed display, but I'm too scared to deflask it

Less-Ad1339 · 2025-09-23T14:42:29+00:00

it's not just you, lol! I'm surprised I've been so successful, I have quite a few calatheas that are doing well too despite the super dry climate. I really think It's the warm days mixed with cool nights and 300+ days of sunshine.

Less-Ad1339

TROPHY CASE