Using just orchid bark for aeae Florida mix

OllieB497 · 05-11-2021, 11:03 AM

Hi,
Getting a Musa Florida soon. What’s ur thoughts on just a 100% orchid bark mix for a Florida? It gets its nutrients for the bark. It’s perfect ph and it prevents overwatering rot.
What do u think?
Thanks

sirdoofus · 05-11-2021, 11:34 AM

Just spitballing here 'cause I haven't tried it so conjecture is all I've got.....I am assuming you are keeping it in a pot?

If so, based on my very limited experience with orchid medium, I would be a little concerned about it draining too fast and having to irrigate really frequently. Not that that is the end of the world, but a pain in the arse, and possibly expensive if you are on metered water.

Having said that, I am a big fan of experimentation, so as long as you are planning well for contingencies, I don't really see any reason not to consider trying it.

Maybe someone else with more experience, or who has tried it, will chime in.

Good luck and keep us posted

OllieB497 · 05-11-2021, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirdoofus

Just spitballing here 'cause I haven't tried it so conjecture is all I've got.....I am assuming you are keeping it in a pot?

If so, based on my very limited experience with orchid medium, I would be a little concerned about it draining too fast and having to irrigate really frequently. Not that that is the end of the world, but a pain in the arse, and possibly expensive if you are on metered water.

Having said that, I am a big fan of experimentation, so as long as you are planning well for contingencies, I don't really see any reason not to consider trying it.

Maybe someone else with more experience, or who has tried it, will chime in.

Good luck and keep us posted

Yeah this is in a orchid small ish orchid pot. This is my one in done for the Florida. I don’t want it to die so I’m up for any other soil suggestions!

sirdoofus · 05-11-2021, 06:24 PM

There is a ton of soil information on this forum, try searching here:

Banana Plant Soil, Additives, and Fertilizer - Bananas.org

Everyone seems to have their preferences, and I think as long as it drains well and doesn't stay boggy wet, you are probably OK.

For my outdoor potted plants I mix my own (because I am cheap, not because I am under the illusion I make a better product), but for my indoor plants I use 2 parts ProMix indoor/outdoor conainer medium (found inside my local nursery, not with the outside products), mixed with 1 part perlite - I have used a 1:1 ratio but I don't like that as much.

It is a bit more expensive, but, knock on wood, I have never had a problem with bugs on my houseplants using this combo and they seem to grow well.

05-11-2021, 11:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
OllieB497 Ollieb123 Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 263 BananaBucks : 60,313 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 69 Times Was Thanked 195 Times in 136 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Using just orchid bark for aeae Florida mix Hi, Getting a Musa Florida soon. What’s ur thoughts on just a 100% orchid bark mix for a Florida? It gets its nutrients for the bark. It’s perfect ph and it prevents overwatering rot. What do u think? Thanks

05-11-2021, 11:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
sirdoofus Location: Central Vancouver Island, BC Canada Find me on the map! Zone: AgCan 7b, USDA 6b Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 1,090 BananaBucks : 37,298 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,225 Times Was Thanked 1,277 Times in 634 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 98 Times	Re: Using just orchid bark for aeae Florida mix Just spitballing here 'cause I haven't tried it so conjecture is all I've got.....I am assuming you are keeping it in a pot? If so, based on my very limited experience with orchid medium, I would be a little concerned about it draining too fast and having to irrigate really frequently. Not that that is the end of the world, but a pain in the arse, and possibly expensive if you are on metered water. Having said that, I am a big fan of experimentation, so as long as you are planning well for contingencies, I don't really see any reason not to consider trying it. Maybe someone else with more experience, or who has tried it, will chime in. Good luck and keep us posted __________________ Who keeps calling me nuts??

05-11-2021, 06:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
sirdoofus Location: Central Vancouver Island, BC Canada Find me on the map! Zone: AgCan 7b, USDA 6b Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 1,090 BananaBucks : 37,298 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,225 Times Was Thanked 1,277 Times in 634 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 98 Times	Re: Using just orchid bark for aeae Florida mix There is a ton of soil information on this forum, try searching here: Banana Plant Soil, Additives, and Fertilizer - Bananas.org Everyone seems to have their preferences, and I think as long as it drains well and doesn't stay boggy wet, you are probably OK. For my outdoor potted plants I mix my own (because I am cheap, not because I am under the illusion I make a better product), but for my indoor plants I use 2 parts ProMix indoor/outdoor conainer medium (found inside my local nursery, not with the outside products), mixed with 1 part perlite - I have used a 1:1 ratio but I don't like that as much. It is a bit more expensive, but, knock on wood, I have never had a problem with bugs on my houseplants using this combo and they seem to grow well. __________________ Who keeps calling me nuts??

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