AboutWayne King Expertise Any question about orchid culture. I have thirty+ yrs of growing experience,president 2x of our local Orchid Growers Guild,held a position in most all other offices associated with the Guild at one time or another. Head of Orchid judging team for local club meetings and some shows. Member of two Orchid Socities and local Rep.for Mid America Orchid Congress for several yrs.I have in my collection about 800 Orchid plants of all types.
Experience
Past/Present clients Previously an expert on expertcentral.com.
Question I bought a Phalaenopsis Orchid from Hawaii and it came in a small bag ready to be re potted. (There was some bark in the little pot) I went to walmart to purchase a bag of Orchid Potting Mix. Is it safe to use the potting mix to re-pot my orchid or should I have gone with the bark instead? Please help. I don't want to kill it. Thanks.
Answer Pang, the answer to your question depends upon the nature of the Walmart potting mix. My preference for orchid potting mix is one that has some fir bark in it. Small orchid plants need to have a seedling type of orchid potting mix in which the particles are about pea size. Both Lowes and Home Depot garden centers also carry orchid potting mix so you may want to look at all of the types you have access to. Be sure to soak it before use as fir bark tends to be quite dry. Also, be sure to use a plastic pot with lots of drainage holes.
