Software
Houzz Logo Print
blackwillow87

Orchid Medium Question

7 years ago

I have a question? I got a Laelia anceps last Friday from an orchid show. It's in a net basket in sphagnum. I was wondering if I should add orchid bark or LECA to it? I'm worried about it drying out too quickly in my low humidity indoor conditions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.☺

Comments (16)

  • 7 years ago

    I would strongly advise letting it alone for now. Give it awhile to acclimate to your conditions. See how it goes, both for you and for it. I don’t think Laelias, similarly to Cattleyas, mind a little drying out, as long as it isn’t for prolonged periods of time. Substantially changing a medium is very stressful on established orchid roots. Changing it at the wrong time could put the plant at serious risk. If you feel you must change it, wait until either the current growth or the next new growth starts putting down new roots. In the meantime, if you find that its current potting isn’t working, you could certainly try putting the net basket inside another (solid) pot and filling in between the two pots with some medium bark. This would provide a buffer between the moss and the outside air and may give you the lead time you need.

    blackwillow87 thanked John B
  • 7 years ago

    Thank you John for the advice. I'll just leave it alone because I don't want it to be even more stressed. I may still add a little moss to cover the lowest roots since they're exposed to air. I'm surprised that the moss is still damp despite the low humidity indoors and being in a net basket. This will be a new experience for me because I've never grown anything in a net basket before. I'll pay extra attention to how I water. Should I wait to give it a little fertilizer?

  • 7 years ago

    It is an air plant. The roots need air. Moss is perfect for shipping plants. What is your location? Take out all moss that comes out easy. Some of their habitat they live on rocks. And they have long exposed roots. In general, orchids need to get watered and also need to dry out. Air around orchid roots is good.They can get wet in the morning and turn green in color. That will last them the rest of the day. A clay pot with fir bark and lava rock will need water every 3 days. And repotted when the bark rots. No air on the roots they die. How about a picture?

    blackwillow87 thanked shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b
  • 7 years ago

    Right now I have it under fluorescent shoplights. I was just afraid of the roots drying out severely indoors since I have to run the heater some days. I live in North Texas so summer time is usually very hot (above 100) with little to no rain for 3 or 4 months. I was thinking about eventually putting it in a pot once it acclimates. Here's a picture of the plant.


  • 7 years ago

    Suzabanana your Laelia anceps is beautiful! I think I'll move mine to a clay pot and with orchid bark. I'll wait until I start seeing new root growth to repot it.

  • 7 years ago

    It looks very healthy. If it’s putting out a new growth you can fertilize. If it’s between growths it may be resting. So no fert.

    blackwillow87 thanked John B
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Thanks John. I'll wait since it's not producing any new pseudobulbs at the moment. Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm going to look for a 5" clay pot. So far I've only been able to find 4 and 6" pots.

  • 7 years ago

    I would opt for a larger pot if possible. I've only had mine for a year and it's gone from 4 p-bulbs to 6 and now growing 3 more. They get big FAST it seems!

    blackwillow87 thanked suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)
  • 7 years ago

    Wow that's definitely fast for an orchid. I'll look for a bigger pot then which is good news because those are easier to find than the 5" pots. Thanks for telling me that suzabanana. I'm getting another orchid tomorrow. It's Lc. Irene Finney 'Spring Bounty.'


  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Suza, what size bark is that? And is there anything else mixed in it? Looks like perlite

    Thank you and it's beautiful.

  • 7 years ago

    You should‘t worry too much, they are pretty tough plants. They are said to be drought tolerant and can take a wide range of temps.

    The good thing about these types is that they give you time to react and make changes if needed. Those pseudo-bulbs store food and water to bridge dry periods.

    Unlike Phal types which seem to die before you know there is a problem, theses will get wrinkled leaves and bulbs which tells you to water more or check for damages roots.

    blackwillow87 thanked James _J
  • 7 years ago

    I'm glad it has pseudobulbs to store water. I found a new pseudobulb developing as well as a few new roots. :

  • 7 years ago

    Bark is medium size with some perlite mixed in.

  • 7 years ago

    What a beautiful orchid. I am going to need to search for one of those to add to my collection. Enjoy!

    blackwillow87 thanked Laura LaRosa (7b)
  • 7 years ago

    Thanks Laura! It was on my wishlist and when I saw it at the show, I had to buy it lol.

Sponsored