I grow mine with the dandelions and the crab-grass. In SOCAL they feel like home. Virtually anything works, my choice is rock so I never have to repot them. Or mounting them.

Nick

Hi Liz,

Mold means to wet and not enough air movement. Not sure where you are in Australia but if in the jungle allow more time between watering if the desert or outback somewhere which is mostly arid I'm curious how much watering you do to have mold grow and do you know the botanical names of the orchids you are growing?

Scott

Hi Liz, welcome to the Forum!

Question: Are your orchids terrestrials or epiphytes?

Australia has some of the most magnificent terrestrials, very difficult to get in America. It also has some of my very favorite epiphytes, the small Dendrobiums (Dockrillias).

Welcome Liz. And yes, what orchids do you grow? I'm envious that Australia has orchids w/ flowers that look genuinely "blue." A few years ago, anyway, it was impossible to get them in the States.

If you tend to overwater and your bark stays too wet, one option is to check out the availability of the MOMET Orchid Moisture Meter, which measures the amount of water in bark, soil, or sphag.

The basic model is $30 US here. The Orchid Tray Company in Sutherland, NSW lists "moisture meters," but you have to email them cuz their site is under construction: http://www.orchidtrays.com.au/under-construction.php

If that's not feasible, you can use a wooden BBQ skewer, although the method is more susceptible to human error. I'll be glad to send details. Whitecat8

Here is a link that might be useful: MOMET Orchid Moisture Meter