The question that I get quite often is "What kind of Orchid Media do I use"?
Interested Orchid beginners are presented with several options.
1. Prepared orchid mixes
2. Coconut coir
3. Sphagnum moss
4. Lava rock
5. Charcoal
6. Perlite
7. Bark
They read or learn about how these media's function. How these different media's perform. Availability of media's is often a concern.
Well I will address availability first. I use the Green Barn myself. They are located in Delray Beach Florida. I find that they carry just about anything I could think of for growing and potting orchids. They have an on-line website.

So what media do I use?


This is an image of my All Purpose mix. It has medium and seedling grade bark. Seedling grade charcoal and perlite. It has aliflor in it as well. One can easily see the sizes of individual pieces within the mix. There are several outliers within the mix such as bigger pieces of charcoal or red lava rock. These really have no impact on the mix.
Now how do I use it?? This is very important. For seedling plants or small growing plants ( 3" pots or smaller) I carefully use pockets of media within this plastic container that have the smallest pieces. This selection allows me to give those same plants more water then they typically need. I use this media for water loving orchids like Oncidiums.
For an average orchid like a lady slipper or a Phal. I use the mix as it is!! I make no effort to select certain sized pieces.
For larger plants like Cattleyas I go back to a little careful selection within my media. I try to shy away from tiny pieces of bark and I go after the aliflor, charcoal and perlite.


The above image shows a newly repotted Cattleya with my mix.
So besides what type of media should the repotter use, the next big thing is precise timing as to when repotting should occur.
The consensus says "when you see new root growth!!" That is VERY TRUE. When you see new roots between 1/4" and1/2" Long, that's when you should repot in order to avoid root damage.
BUT still at the top of my list of repotting tips is to try it!! It can be a frightening task! But Orchids demand regular repotting. They need fresh media. This keeps the roots healthy and the plant happy! This is what makes growing orchids different from so may other plants. Notice, no where have I mentioned soil. Why? Most orchids sold today can not grow in soil.
Good luck and dive right in!!

Excellent post!!
I do have question -
here is the following:
Many times Cattleyas grow the best roots when allowed to grow over the edge of the pot. Now how do you treat those roots when repotting? Would you cut them to the depth of the new pot, or gently roll them along the bottom of the new pot or do you leave them alone and again let them hang over the new pot/medium. Here is what I did, but I am sure there has to be a better way. Of course, repotting should have been done before those roots grew too long.....but....

I soak them in a bucket or pail of luke warm water if I find something of suitable size.
I soak for about an hour. Roots are a bit more pliable so they wrap up a bit easier.

So you wrap them gently at the bottom of the basket or pot, no cutting at that stage, right?

If I can avoid it, I don't cut.
I tend to use the deeper style pot, plastic or clay.


With clay I often knocked out the area around the drainage hole in order to increase drainage. I use 1/4" hardware cloth to cover the enlarged bottom and use broken clay shards to improve drainage further.
When I deal with tall growing plants with tall spikes I like a little extra weight in an attempt to decrease tipping of the pot.

I see! Thanks Bill!

You're welcome.

I just don't let them get that long, this will be repotted tomorrow

You see Lindsey, if that was my plant, I would wait for the next new growth.
I just try to avoid root damage.

It seems to have lots of roots everywhere. Try the warm water bucket to see if they become more pliable but if carefully done, you should be fine.
That is just one beautifully grown Cattleya!!!

I have tried lots of different things just off the cuff. My question: on mounting orchids as they would grow in the trees: has anyone had good success with tree fern mounting boards and also coconut husks. These type of media see expensive to me. So am asking what everyone thinks

Ruth

I have mounted probably 500 orchids in my orchid lifetime. I have used cork, tree fern slabs or mounts of different sizes and natural woods like cypress, live oak and sassafras.
Natural woods like sassafras are great to use because even dead, the limbs or branches hold on to the outer bark. That is very important.
Although seemingly expensive I have used mounts again and again. BUT growing mounted orchids is a whole different world. If you tend to underwater things, then mounted is probably not for you. If you are a heavy handed watered it may be good for that person.

I have not tried coconut husk. I personally prefer tree fern or cork. With cork I can by bigger pieces and cut mounts with a hand held mini pruning saw. I can cut the exact sized pieces I need. They are reusable.
I love tree fern the best. You can select a denser piece for a mounted plant that likes to dry out between watering like a Cattleya. OR select a more open or fibrous piece that would hold more water initially and dry quickly. Something like a fine rooted Oncidium can be watered every day on a mount like that and yet never be overwatered!
I also add a clump of long fibered NZ sphagnum moss to each mount in order to help the orchid to get established.

I have Also seen mounts on OLD Grapevine 'trunks' that are Gorgeous for their gnarly looks.

Oh that's true
Glenn, there was a vendor years back at a NE show who used it for Tolumnias, things like Phalaenopsis lobbii and some Angracoids. They really looked good on the cinnamon colored grape vine.

Thank you guys. What supplier has the NZ sphagnum. Miss

Thanks

I try everything even if I loose. I try again!

Ruth

I buy all my moss from the Green Barn in Delray Beach Florida.
They have everything in terms of orchid supplies.

If you are "mounting" an orchid to a tree bark, suggestions as to any certain way? I have a larger and a mini orchid. I have part of a tree that was cut down from our property, wanted to incorporate that into our home somehow. I have heard of moss and tying it with fishing line, not tight obviously. Any other suggestions on that?
Secondly, is there any suggestions for a "newbie", this is my second go round repotting with new orchids, my mother killed my other 3 while I was on vacation. It killed me. We have ordered orchid pots, I have a few clay pebbles, some moss, and some orchid mix.

What media and what pot for me depends upon what type of orchid are you repotting.
I order all of my supplies from "the Green Barn" orchid supplies in Delray Beach Florida. They carry media, pots, fertilizer, insecticides, clips, stakes, in many sizes. They sell mixes!
I use four basic ingredients and mixing them for my needs. Fine fir bark or fine orchiata bark, fine perlite, fine charcoal and medium bark.
Some orchids require more frequent watering so I generally use less medium bark. If it is a Cattleya or larger Paphiopedilum is use a greater % of medium bark.
To attach orchids to a tree, people have used staple guns, twine, zip ties, old pantyhose strips because it stretches.