Sphagnum blocks for Pleiones?

[richardmbunn]

Hi all

I'm new to growing Pleione even though I used to grow them hopelessly some 20 years ago in Cornwall.

I now live in Ireland and trying to get the right potting ingredients is no fun experience. I bought some bulbs from Maren and I've managed to pick up some orchid bark from the reptile section of the pet shop. I have perlite already but I'm struggling trying to get moss.  I was looking on Amazon and found this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Sphagnum-Tropical-Terrarium-Substrate/dp/B002YJW382/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1388506280&sr=8-6&keywords=sphagnum+moss Would it be suitable to use in my potting mix?

[Alex]

Reptile moss is OK but a bit thin I think. This website does good Sphagnum moss for Pleiones:

ww.orchidaccessories.co.uk

If not, try Googling for other vendors of orchid supplies. Ratcliffe used to have lovely moss but don't do it any more I believe.

Alex

[monocotman]

Richard,
I buy mine off ebay.
Quick and easy,
David

[Maren]

Hi Richard,

that moss looks fine to me. Try it.

I soak mine in a bucket overnight and then chop it with scissors into bits about 2-3cm long.

When I pot my bulbs, I put a little layer of moss on top of the compost for the roots to grow into. They seem to like it. Then I finish off with bark to provide stability and stop the moss from turning green and unsightly in the summer. None of this is probably necessary, but it seems to work well for me.

[richardmbunn]

Thanks for your input everyone. I'm going to give that one on Amazon a try and see what it looks like. I can always use it for sowing seeds in my carnivorous plant collection if it turns out too fine.

[SteveC2]

Having read the comments so far I had a look on Amazon myself.  I was particularly interested to see Gardman fresh sphagnum in a jumbo Bag on offer atŁ9,999.99.  Must be one hell of a big bag!
Seriously I have used this for my so called "difficult" pleiones such as forrestii, hookeriana and Auriga and they seem to do well in it.  If you do not need a lot then it is better than buying large blocks, assuming that you can get it at a sensible price.

[richardmbunn]

Yes I noticed the Gardman one. Bargain