Does anyone out there know anything about this for Phrags?

I don't use it myself but quite a few growers seem to like it.

Thanks Peter.

Are you thinking of fiber, or coconut husk chips? I'd say either probably is fine for Phrags (tho they seem pretty happy in just about anything.

Thanks Heather. I was speaking with Glenn Decker fromPiping Rock and he said that he wasn't to keen on CH. He said that there was too much sodium in cocnut. What's your input?

I had been using the chips straight and had good luck under my conditions in pots up to 4 inches. In larger pots I have had to add an inert component to aid drainage. Overall, I have been pleased with it.

I don't use coconut products on phrags. While phrags do OK in CCH chips, they don't thrive, and I find that they grow better in bark. My one attempt at using cocopeat for a phrag was disastrous...the leaves got totally burnt. Interestingly enough, I find cocopeat is excellent for terrestrials like Cymbidiums and Ludisia (when mixed with lots of perlite), good for reviving paphs with weak roots, but non-orchids hate it! It definitely does not work as a peat moss substitute for most plants. After hydrating and potting up, I always flush it heavily to wash out any sodium.....as I said, if you grow Cymbidiums, the stuff is great. Take care, Eric

I grow all my Phrags in a CHC mix which consists of the fine/medium chips, charcoal and perlite, but I also thread long strips of sphagnum from the bottom of the pot to the top to wick moisture evenly. Everything is thriving so I guess it's working well for me. There are some studies published on the net that shows moisture retention rates for CHC in comparison with bark and other things that show it retains moisture longer if wet properly and doesn't have to be changed as often. As for the salt, I buy only pre-soaked CHC from a reputable dealer AND I soak a few days before I use to make sure.

I don't think phrags care what they are potted in as long as they are kept moist and humid with good airflow.

Most of my stuff is potted up like Ernie's, but I have also had them in straight moss, or clay balls.

Some people also swear by diatomite, but I've never tried that one myself.

In general mine seem to do even better when the potting media (whatever it is) gets overrun with live mosses. This holds for my paphs as well.

Just wanted to say - "Hey" Ernie - noticed you weren't around lately. Hope all's well, good to see you.

And I agree on the "Phrags seem to do well in just about anything" comment - I am getting ready to put a few more in S/H and see how that goes.

I used 8parts of bark with 1 cm; 3 parts chopped sphagnum, 1 part litlle stone, 1 part pelite , and I have had good resulted.

look the picture besseae's roots

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b131/paphiogrower/raizbeseae4.jpg

look the picture besseae's roots

Very nice and looking healthy :clap2:

Hello.

On the bottom root, there is clearly a disease trying to enter the root, the brown color is typical. With good culture and an healthy plant it is nothing, but it is worth watching...