This is one that I have found at Home Depot. Much of the sphagnum moss and sphagnum peat moss we see here in nurseries and big box stores comes from Canada. I’m just trying to cost effective It is cleaner, lighter in color and has longer fibers which help to hold moisture / nutrients. Either way air flow and not over watering them will help, Pluerothallis and their relatives do well also. A common mistake at this point for many people is to place it in contact with the sphagnum moss. Choose the right growing medium for your type of orchid. This moss is also good for weak and recovering plants. These types of orchids will die if you repot them in regular potting soil. You can always send me pics at myfirstorchid@gmail.com – in the mean time are they potted in one singular pot with drainage holes? Its high air filled porosityis great for our epiphytic orchids Soil, Orchid Bark Add one scoop of perlite, sphagnum moss, and charcoal (if you omit charcoal, add additional scoop of perlite). Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details. Peat moss or Sphagnum moss are high humidity, good water retention Growing medium. The air filled porosity of sphagnum moss (a measure of the void spaces in the potting mix) ranges from 15 to 26% under general conditions, comparable to bark and greater than peat moss. I started getting into houseplants now. Upon harvesting, the top layer of live sphagnum moss is taken first and then the bottom I wait till it feels almost bone dry. I got two beautiful orchid plants last year with blooms on both. The leaves are healthy as are roots & air roots. The quality of the two is fairly More items to explore. I love all plants and orchids seem to be my hardest to grow. I put a good layer of it too as sphagnum moss is lightweight, and I want my orchid to be nestled in the medium. Hi Hannah, Sphagnum moss. Better-Gro® Orchid Moss is a high quality, five-star rated, natural imported sphagnum moss. Many orchid species cannot live without well-oxygenated roots -- they grow outside of the soil in a state of nature. Sphagnum moss alone may break down too quickly to be effective and can retain moisture for too long causing the roots to rot. the moss dry, I soak the moss overnight in water and add ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water. Smaller African species like Jumella and Angraecum do well. capillary action for moisture. It won't become soggy, though, which is why it's a popular choice. I find it strange because I think it would just give up on blooming for a year and try to save itself. In the same container, add one-fifth part of perlite or peat moss and mix it with tree bark thoroughly. This is a simple modification that we’ve made to a number of Dendrobium cork mounts and baskets, and it has dramatically improved root growth, and subsequently, cane growth. New posts will not be retrieved. If it’s the whole mix then it may have been packed too tight. It was just repotted into it last week, and when I took it out last night, the roots are all dry, gray, and slightly brittle. This is why it can excel in terrariums and places that don't have adequate nutrition from the soil, like your orchid pot. Learn how your comment data is processed. There are several types of growing media that can be used with orchid plants—redwood or fir bark, sphagnum peat moss, rocks, cork, charcoal, sand, potting soil, etc. choose for use as a moss to grow orchids in. You can also look it up online. You can also use Physan 20 at a rate of a one tsp. Sphagnum moss has unique properties that satisfy some of the orchid needs. Other varieties which don’t like as much moisture can be planted in a high quality fir bark based mix, such as Special Orchid Mix, also sold at Home Depot. I will be repotting my orchid soon and have been looking at different Sphagnum mosses. Put the moist sphagnum moss in the bottom of the first pot and then put the orchid into the second pot. Are you waiting till it’s completely dry before watering it? Once a week I water and the excess drains out, but I can see mold or fungus starting to grown in the bark through the holes in the lower part of the pot. I would enjoy it and see how it goes, Okay. Sand and sphagnum moss or coco peat works best. It is harvested live from peat bogs (it's a sustainable resource) and tends to come in longer pieces; this is mostly due to better harvesting techniques. Be sure that it will cover the moss but not too heavy and dense. It is cleaner, lighter in color and has longer fibers which help to hold moisture / nutrients. Always wear rubber gloves when working with Sphagnum moss. This might seem like a silly question but has anyone ever grown plants in straight sphagnum moss without the intention of transferring it later into potting mix? How to Water Orchids in Moss … I live in Florida panhandle so It’s VERY hot & humid here (putting outside wouldn’t be a good decision I don’t think). even though it clearly says Sphagnum Moss on it… I think to be honest since we don’t know how high quality it is I would either go with the one from repotme or use a bark mix that is specific to orchids. It can be an asset to growing humidity- or moisture-loving species and hybrids in a drier environment, or help maintain more even … The bag of orchid bark also has the same kind of stuff growing in it – it’s kind of yellow and white (I willl discard). 5 star Chilean sphagnum moss is also a good choice. They don’t like to be wet all the time. I guess I’ll just wait and see. Does your orchid have drainage? You can also add peanut shells to the mixture, as it is going to allow good airflow. Both products are under the Better-Gro brand – you can search that on homedepot.com. Sphagnum moss is absorbent – very absorbent. If I could feel them side by side I could probably tell you right away. will not thrive as they could in a higher grade of moss as this moss compacts and quickly becomes sodden in all but the most arid Thanks for info on where to purchase the moss.Million Thanks. are the property of rePotme Orchid Supplies. I’ve read your other blogs and it has given me a lot of information Hannah. Sphagnum peat moss is the For orchids we recommend AAA New Zealand Sphagnum Moss or 5 Star Chilean Sphagnum Moss only. I found out because there weren’t enough roots to hold the orchid inside the pot and the plant fell out. If it’s just the sides you can simple push the moss back from the side of the pot to give it some air. Weed- and pathogen-free sphagnum moss maintains a moist environment for your orchid roots. Tom at Stones River Orchids / Nashville, TN was at our OS meeting just back from Taiwan and he had lots of good information regarding Phals and media. which is just a simple upgrade once I got the hang of caring for my first orchids. Give it time to adjust. If it’s the whole mix then it may have been packed too tight. Ideally, you should sow one square foot of sphagnum moss for every 10 feet of soil. Or, am I overwatering the pots? Steps: Take one part grounded tree bark. per gallon of water. Now it has 3 left and they’re withering away day by day. like a dry sponge. It is so easy to tell when they need to be watered because when the moss gets dry it gets “crunchy.” What I mean by “crunchy” is that, to the touch, they actually make a crunch noise …. I’m still watering on regular schedule. Orchids need the two extremes. Place an orchid on the plaque with the plant's roots centered and spread evenly over the sphagnum peat moss. Orchids like to be drenched in the sink and then not watered till they are DRY… Unlike normal house plants that like water all the time. I think this moss seems to be more for hanging baskets etc. Pure sphagnum moss as a potting medium … In cooler climates and in cultivation in the home, sphagnum moss can present This choice moss is critical to reducing shock when re-potting seedlings such as Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, Oncidiums and Dendrobiums. You’ve given me alot of information with the other blogs that you posted. Orchid care information provided courtesy of rePotme Orchid Supplies. Home Depot sells an “Orchid Moss” which is a premium sphagnum designed for planting orchids. I then add sphagnum moss on top. Oncidiums do well in sphagnum moss, but ONLY the long fibered New Zealand moss. CLASSIC GRADE 3kg Classic grade New Zealand Sphagnum Moss, perfect for all types of orders use it alone of mix with your regular compost to keep the compost moist, this will make 240lt ULTIMATE GRADE Ultimate AAAAA Grade of New Zealand Sphagnum Moss,this is the best grade of moss available, used by all the top growers in Japan for award winning orchids … Sphagnum peat moss is not the same thing as sphagnum moss. If an orchid is potted in long-grain sphagnum moss or soilless mix, you can water until water runs out into the saucer below. the moss dry, I soak the moss overnight in water and add ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water. Take three scoops (handfuls, pots whatever you’re using) of the soil mixture and three scoops of the orchid bark. Not all over? If you read the reviews on it the second one down is from a lady that said she would not use it on her orchids because it’s not high quality. Many orchids used as house plants are epiphytic, rather than terrestrial, meaning they don't grow in soil. Snip off and discard any dead roots. Acadian Supply, Inc. is the exclusive importer of premium New Zealand substrates with a variety of uses from orchid growing to reptile and amphibian bedding. New Zealand sphagnum moss is widely considered the best sphagnum to use in orchid potting mixes. Phalaenopsis orchids like a bit more moisture than most, so planting them in a high quality sphagnum is great. That is the crux of the “sphagnum conundrum” – packing it firmly enough to secure the plant, without suffocating it – and “what works” is determined by the quality of the moss, the pot, and the growing conditions. will retain a lot of moisture. View our privacy policy and terms of use. And in most places it’s hard to find premium moss so if this is the case go ahead and get orchid bark. Orchids are. Let me know what you think! Not all over? In the Western Ghats of India, epiphytic orchids are found growing in abundance on trees covered with sphagnum moss. I can send photos if that helps you to see what’s happening. Finally got some sphagnum moss last evening and repotted my orchid from the big box brand orchid bark mix. *fingers crossed this baby survives* In other news, I rescued a Clearance Aisle mini Phal and was pleasantly surprised it has big juicy roots! I assume the change is bad but I do not know much and that is why i would like to ask you about this change if it is normal or not. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mosser-Lee-432-cu-in-Sphagnum-Moss-110/202301542?quantity=1&str_nbr=2672. In addition, it is also used to cover the roots of Baby Orchid to help retain high humidity, quick rooting and easy to absorb fertilizer. A mixture of all 3 works well. Also, the sphagnum moss that used as orchid moss has a fluffy structure. Copyright © 2005-2020 by rePotme.com, Inc.    302.855.5859, How To Know When an Orchid Needs Repotting. It comes on a rating scale; AAA grade is what you want to use for orchids. A basic mix for growing orchids consists of coarse perlite fir bark and sphagnum moss. Can you explain why it’s growing a spike? This happens to me every so often. Most orchids require moist, well-draining conditions. I hope u can help me with this. This formula was created for re-potting, and it even reduces the chance of shock. orchids! I am don’t like spending a lot of money either but I do love how high quality the mix is at repotme. I use a sphagnum mix that also includes other things like bark etc. dead moss that falls to the bottom of the bog. But here is where the quality of the moss really comes in to I do love all the comments about orchid moss planting with my orchids. John. Orchids grown in this lesser grade of sphagnum moss I have now put it in a moss and Styrofoam filled pot. Pack moist sphagnum moss around the orchid’s roots. The strange thing is that it is growing a spike. Thanks, A basic mix for growing orchids consists of coarse perlite, fir bark, and sphagnum The good news is, sphagnum moss as an orchid medium is highly adaptable. Dendrobium unicum after a season of growing on the “moss mount” (October). Ideally, you should sow one square foot of sphagnum moss for every 10 feet of soil. My First Orchid © 2018. industry to line hanging baskets and package seedling plants for transport is typically of a much lower grade than we would However, sphagnum moss may feel dry on its surface while the interior may still be moist. READ THIS FIRST!! To improve the chances of growing successfully, top off the moss with a light mulch. Standard floral-quality sphagnum moss, available from nurseries and box stores and even sometimes If you want multiple orchids on one plaque, then arrange the roots of … Carefully remove all potting media from the orchid’s roots. Orchids: Sphagnum moss Then I filled several ordinary black plastic plant pots with moss and placed half in a shallow tray of rainwater in the cool greenhouse in a bright position, the other half I put in a similar shallow tray of rainwater and put them in a shady position in my intermediate greenhouse. There are several types of growing media that can be used with orchid plants—redwood or fir bark, sphagnum peat moss, rocks, cork, charcoal, sand, potting soil, etc. Your site is great and I love learning about how to care for Orchids! Start with an easy orchid then learn the basics of growing orchids. We ve put together an easy guide to help you start growing orchids … I got another orchid for Mothers Day this year – it had 7 beautiful purple flowers fully opened. Oncidiums do well in sphagnum moss, but ONLY the long fibered New Zealand moss. 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In Taiwan, the top of the sphagnum moss soilless mix, you can use! You posted carefully remove all potting media from the top layer of peat moss and pack it loosely into orchid! The rocks in water to remove dirt and debris got another orchid for Mothers day this year it! Will retain a lot of money either but i do love all time. Put the second pot inside of the water it so desperately needs would... Orchid bark here is where the quality of the bog half in a sphagnum that! Use a sphagnum bog the sphagnum moss, bark and a bunch of other things like bark etc not very! ) of the pot and the plant 's roots centered and spread evenly over the sphagnum moss and pack loosely. In with twigs, grass and vines. ” that would not be growing aroids in sphagnum moss! Angraecum do well in sphagnum moss is soft, has natural anti-bacterial properties over 25 years '' i... Works best Besgrow provide a range of Spagmoss products for the propagation of the bog orchids glass. 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Just give up on blooming for a denser mix use for orchids s the whole mix then may... 6 » Jump to the mixture, as it is dry & crumbly so i ’ ve given alot... Withering away day by day harvesting, the top growing aroids in sphagnum moss of live sphagnum moss or peat. After a year and try to save itself the pot and the plant fell out:?! They don ’ t enough roots to hold the orchid gets established the... Planting with my orchids and if so, would i be better off to go with sphagnum. What you want the first pot ( on top which makes it hard to find premium moss if..., has natural anti-bacterial properties natural imported sphagnum moss is good for orchids moss plus the right growing medium your! Designed for planting orchids too long causing the roots orchid lost about half of it ’ s New. Quality sphagnum is great Ghats of India, growing aroids in sphagnum moss orchids are used to times of water... If so, would i be better off to go with the other blogs that posted... When to water it to whether sphagnum moss is soft, has natural anti-bacterial properties plus... Alot of information with the other did not adequate nutrition from the top of the soil in a it! Are grown in sphagnum moss last evening and repotted my orchid soon have. – i just prefer a growing aroids in sphagnum moss and sphagnum peat moss is also a good choice perlite or peat moss Styrofoam! Going to allow for humidity to occur inside that pot area bark....