EPIPHYTE ORCHIDS 
Cattleyas — Odontoglossums — Vandas — Phalaenopsis 
For orchid plants of an epiphyte nature, we have long used osmunda 
fibre. Because this product was not standard, there being a great variation 
from bale to bale, both in texture, color, weight and degree of freshness; it 
was also too costly, both in first cost and cost of potting the plant. Another 
factor, also entered into arriving at a decision to adopt another potting 
media. The consumer or customer sometimes had difficulty in potting or in 
getting a qualified man to do the potting and even when a good man is 
obtained his services are expensive. So again, in the epiphytes, as in terres- 
tial orchids, the quest was for a mix that was: 
Readily obtainable. 
Inexpensive. 
Easy to use. 
Assured aeration. 
Stable (would last up to two years). 
Free from weed seed and insects. 
Free from parasitic fungi and bacteria. 
That would be a good medium for a feeding program. 
That would encourage a strong root system and retain that sys- 
tem for along period of time. 
BSE AON AN eae) on) A 
Mr. Matkin, the consultant on soils, stated that he had been raising 
Cattleya and Phalaenopsis in shavings in his greenhouse at Orange, Cali- 
fornia for some time. Upon visiting his laboratory and greenhouse, we 
decided to begin planting all our epiphytes in a sawdust or shaving mix that 
had been fortified with nearly the same chemicals as used in our Cymbidium 
mix. The feeding program was altered somewhat, to allow for more nitro- 
gen and that fertilizer mixture is now being offered by us for sale along 
with the epiphyte mix. 
Potting time has been cut by 74, root systems are better, the material is 
much lower in cost (about 1/5 the cost of Osmunda), and much cleaner to 
use. The aeration is far better, the mix is more uniform, it lasts well, and it 
is easier to remove from the roots at time of repotting. 
The material is stored in bunkers and is relatively free from weed seed, 
insects, parasitic fungi and bacteria. Because fertilizer is applied at regular 
intervals, growth is better and stronger, and more flowering breaks occur. 
Time consumed in feeding can be reduced by using an applicator. If an ap- 
plicator is used, feeding time is only slightly longer than watering time. 
This mix is easily wet and is not difficult to dry out, since the wood shavings 
offer considerable surface for evaporation. 
We are now satisfactorily growing all our Epiphytes, Cattleyas, Cypri- 
pediums, Miltonias, Odontoglossum crispum and allied genera, Dendrobiums, 
Vandas, and Phalaenopsis in this fortified shaving mix. 
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