Standard Bags - Potting Medias

Hydroton is a unique lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) made in Europe. It is similar to other LECA stone products known as Aliflor, Hydroton, Hydrokorrel, Hydrocks, Hydro Corn, Hydro Pebbles, Lecarocks, Leca stone and Hydrocorn grow rocks. It is ecologically sustainable as it is derived from a plentiful source, clay. Size ranges from about 1/4" - 5/8"). The clay is formed into pellets and fired in 1200 degree rotary kilns which causes the clay to expand inside like popcorn which makes it very porous.

Orchids love that porosity to wrap roots around. Advantages of Hydroton include free draining qualities, pH Neutrality, and they can be reused. The clay is formed into pellets and fired in rotary kilns which causes the clay to expand inside like popcorn which makes it very porous. Hydroton is uneven in shape and size providing good support for orchid roots. Advantages of Hydroton include free draining qualities, pH Neutrality, and they can be reused. Hydroton is dust free and inert while promoting good oxygen levels at the root zone. Hydroton is also known by the name HydroLECA.

Packing peanuts can be used in the bottom of the pot to provide drainage and allow the mix to dry out faster. They are also used to compensate for a pot that is slightly too big or too deep. They can also be used with very large plants to reduce the weight of the pot and mix. Packing peanuts are made from foam polystyrene (trade name 'Styrofoam'). They are made up of 5% polystyrene and 95% air making them very light. Packing peanuts work very well when mixed in with sphagnum to reduce the amount of moisture held by the mix.

Phalaenopsis roots will grow right through the middle of peanuts as though they like them. Packing peanuts used in orchid repotting must not be the kind that break down in water and should be pure white, not colors. Peanuts are a useful in training branched spikes to present their blooms well by gently wedging a peanut between the primary spike and side spike.

New Zealand Sphagnum moss comes in many forms, long & short fibered as well as fine petals. It is a renewable resource that is harvested from bogs. AAA New Zealand Sphagnum moss is ideal for moisture loving orchids. The light, fluffy golden strands are clean and easy to work with.

Don't be fooled by lesser grades of sphagnum moss, insist on top quality long fibered AAA New Zealand Sphagnum Moss. Sphagnum moss can be used alone or mixed with other media. It is also an effective topdressing to increase humidity around a plant and a good base to use when mounting orchids. When moving an orchid from bark to sphagnum the plant should adjust quite readily. The opposite is not usually true, when moving from sphagnum to bark mixture it is recommended to go to a 50/50 mix the first year and on to the bark mix the second. Sphagnum moss is great for seedlings and young plants out of flask. It holds water exceptionally well, the rate at which it dries can be controlled when repotting; to keep moss wet longer, pack more tightly, to dry faster, pack loosely. 

All of our New Zealand mosses are harvested from carefully managed, sustainable bogs.

Small black lava rock is an excellent mix ammendment. Many times if you get a Dendrobium from Hawaii you will notice that it has been potted in either black or red volcanic rock. This lava rock has good water retention with excellent aeration. Because it is inorganic, it will not break down and orchids that resent repotting can be left in their mix longer.

Particle size is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Volcanic lava rock is an excellent base for an inorganic rock mix. Many times if you get a Dendrobium from Hawaii you will notice that it has been potted in either black or red volcanic rock. This rock has good water retention with excellent aeration. Because it is inorganic, the mix will not break down and orchids that resent repotting can be left in their mix longer. Volcanic rock is a primary ingredient in our Inorganic Blend.

Small lava rock is an excellent mix ammendment. Many times if you get a Dendrobium from Hawaii you will notice that it has been potted in either black or red volcanic rock. This lava rock has good water retention with excellent aeration. Because it is inorganic, it will not break down and orchids that resent repotting can be left in their mix longer. Particle size is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch.

Volcanic lava rock is an excellent base for an inorganic rock mix. Many times if you get a Dendrobium from Hawaii you will notice that it has been potted in either black or red volcanic rock. This rock has good water retention with excellent aeration. Because it is inorganic, the mix will not break down and orchids that resent repotting can be left in their mix longer. Volcanic rock is a primary ingredient in our Inorganic Blend.

rePotme is happy to carry the finest grade natural cork chips from Portugal. Cork is a natural product that is produced from the bark of the Cork Oak or quercus suber tree, which grows in countries around the Mediterranean, predominately in Portugal and Spain. The bark of a cork tree is carefully removed every 9 to 10 years by experienced professional harvesters and the tree then grows a new thick coat of bark, almost like sheep grow wool!

Cork harvesters cycle through the trees in a manner that creates a reliable source of this unique wood. Cork is a renewable resource, the average life span of a cork tree is more than 200 years. Orchids love growing in, on and around cork like the type we carry because the roots work their way in and around the craggy surfaces and texture. The added benefit of cork for orchids is that it holds virtually no water, lasts very very long and mixes well with other media to make spectacular mix combinations. Mixes made with cork are typically quite open and airy which is perfect for most orchids.