I have been reading with much interest the different bark mixes used for paphs
and phrags in the new Tropical Slipper Orchids book by Koopowitz. The mixes
seem to use many different materials to keep the bark mix open, such as lava
rock, perlite, charcoal and aliflor. It got me wondering what the difference is
between spongerock and perlite. What are the different characteristics of
aliflor, lava rock, diatomite to make one more desireable in a mix than the
other?
Every year I transplant my paphs and phrags and prepare the mix a little
differently hoping that I might finally find the one that they really like and
grow bigger and better. Obviously I'm still working on it. I also thought it
was very interesting that most of the bark mixes mentioned used fine bark. I've
always gravitated towards medium, which could account for my lack of success
with some of my paphs. I grow everyone in a small greenhouse. The temperature
by the benches ranges from 60 to 64 degrees and, living in western NY, there
are not very many sunny days. For me, overwatering has always been a problem,
which is why I try for a more open bark mix.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Barbara Fuhrmann
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