Hi Ron I used vermiculite in potting mixes for various genera back in the 80's. Seems everything old is new again! I found the moisture absorbancy of vermiculite great for Paphs. The potting mix did not dry out so quickly and thus required watering at wider intervals. I suppose in water starved Sydney and Melbourne these days that would be a major consideration? or should be. Also vermiculite is lightweight. It is 'expanded clay'. By the way, the last nine months here in Rockhampton has been the driest ever recorded, so you are not alone. Big difference here though is the amount of water ponded behind the river barrage.
Colin Hamilton Webmaster Australian Orchid Council/"OrchidsAustralia" Rockhampton, Qld. Australia www.orchidsaustralia.com ------------------------------ Original message; >Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2004 21:16:11 +1000 >From: "Ron Boyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Message: 9 > >Hi All. >Just a quick question on growing orchids in jumbo size vermiculite (about >2-3 mm). >A craze is going around the circuit at the moment were it is mixed 4 parts >Verm, to 1 part peat moss. >grower's are putting in everything from Masdevallias to Cattley's, Cymbidium >hybrids to Paphiopedilums. >while I have heard good results useing this type of mix on Ondonts. and >Oncidiums. Is this type of mix taken too far. >Early results look promising most growers say, but!!!. >Any comment on it usage would be welcome. >Ron in sunny NSW Australia, Still awaitng the rain, just 3 mls in the last >6 weeks. ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids End of Orchids Digest, Vol 6, Issue 321 *************************************** _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
