AnTec Current Potting Mixes
Coconut Husk Chips still form the basis of our primary potting mix, but the mixture has evolved quite a bit after a few seasons of experience. We do not use Aliflor at all anymore; we discontinued use of it because of supply and shipping cost concerns rather than any particular problems with its performance. For Paphs we now use a mix of medium CHC, #4 sponge rock and large charcoal for potting all sizes from compot to adult plants. We have much better results using the medium CHC instead of fine CHC in that it tends to wet better, and it retains its original characteristics much longer than the fine CHC. The current mix is also not compressed into the pot very tightly, just sufficiently to anchor the plant, leaving it open for air to the root zone even right after watering. We have also switched over to using MacConkey pots exclusively, except for compots, where we still use the 5x5" mesh bottom pots. The CHC/sponge rock/charcoal mix is also used for Phrag compots.
About two years ago or so we imported 4 40 liter bags of a potting medium from Australia called Maidenwell Diatomite. H&R Orchids in Hawaii are the pioneers in the US with this medium, starting experiments some three years or more ago and switching over to using it as a 40 to 50% component of their growing mix. Our early results were excellent with Paphs and Phrags. We were especially pleased with how our Phrag besseaes responded when placed in pure diatomite and set in a tray with about 3/4" of water (holes drilled into the tray prevented further water accumulation, and allowed excess water to drain after irrigation). The pure diatomite has tremendous wicking action, and water can continually evaporate of the top when used this way, keeping the root zone of the plants cool even on very hot summer days. The besseaes, which suffered from excess heat during the summer and basically stopped growing (although they did much better with CHC than bark) took off and put on tremendous growth right through the heat of summer. We also have several types of besseae hybrids growing this way and doing well. It does seem to retain more moisture than the caudatum group prefers, so we have excluded Phrag wallisii, lindenii, caudatum, etc. from this set up. At this time we are growing all of our besseaes on top of the bench in the diatomite, and they are doing better than they ever have. The rest of the adult Phrags have been moved into a 50/50 mix of diatomite and CHC.
We are currently experimenting with a mix of diatomite, extra coarse vermiculite and #4 sponge rock for both seedlings and compots. This is mixed in small batches, and is watered before use, as the mix has a tendency to want to separate out into its components, and the water has a cohesive affect on the particles. It is certainly too early to evaluate the results, but it appears to have excellent promise. The advantage is the ability to have a mix that holds a considerable amount of moisture and air simultaneously, but won’t deteriorate over time in characteristics due to breakdown or compression. This type of mix may allow for less frequent repotting as the seedling grows. We will certainly be pleased to keep everyone informed as to our progress with this medium.
Special Flask Offering
We are also happy to announce that we will have flasks of Paphiopedilum vietnamense available this late spring or early summer. These flasks are legally propagated with the full knowledge, consent and encouragement of the folks at US Fish & Wildlife. The plants used to produce these flasks were intercepted at customs about four years ago, and after the proper procedure of offering them back to the range country, which was refused, they were placed in a rescue center. While the originally seized plants must remain in the rescue center, new growth is considered art prop, and capsules from flowers that form on these are legitimate art prop materials. We will have a limited number of flasks available in the first release, but a much larger number in a second release that should occur about 9 months after the first. Flasks in the first release contain about 15 plants per flask and will be $175. We are making this announcement in advance, not our normal policy for flasks, so that we can make it as widely available as possible. You may request as many flasks as you would like, but in order to make these as widely available as possible we will only reserve one flask per person initially, if extras are available then multiples will be shipped to those who have requested them. For details go to http://ladyslipper.com/viet1.htm
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