Hi Charles, > Can it be that all the time and effort devoted to testing various > media end in the conclusion that, �It doesn�t really matter?� > We do need some direction, preferably with logic.
I think your request has two main problems: 1. The Cattleya alliance contains great diversity, and the best media for Encyclia phoenicea may not the the best media for Sophronitis coccinea. 2. The best media will vary by climate, microclimate, watering habits, pot type, etc, etc, etc, so the best advice will probably be from other local growers. I have plants in a range of mixes, including cork mounts, long-fiber sphagnum, aliflor, coconut husk, fir bark, or scoria. Sometimes it takes me a year or two to figure out where a plant will be happiest, although in general I am moving towards inorganic mixes with aliflor and/or scoria in order to reduce repotting. You can put me squarely in the "Just use whatever they will grow in (and whatever you have on hand)" camp. Regards, Nick -- Nicholas Plummer [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
