Rhipsalis Potting Mixes Around the World

Go to Potting mix discussion by Luc Scherens

Members of the Rhipsalis@yahoogroups.com discussion group submitted the following potting mix recipes. If you have a recipe to add, email or rhipsalis@yahoogroups.com

Two cautions.

  1. Frank Süpplie cautions: There is a lot already written about coconut fiber on an orchid list were I am a member too. It seems it contains a certain amount of salt and therefore cannot be used in a to large percentage when growing orchids. I don't risk it in the rhipsalis collection.
  2. Derek Butcher cautions: Take care with wood shavings because they gobble up any nitrogen you have around and plants do need nitrogen to grow! This is why I always use bark from Pinus radiata, which is readily available in South Australia. You could soak the shavings in a water-soluble fertilizer for a few weeks before using!
  • Normal "intratuin" soil which is from a general garden center
  • 1/5 lava (2-3mm size)
  • As we repot every year, this has worked out fine

Frank, Netherlands

I don't treat my 30-40 Rhipsalis any differently than my 400 Epicatus hybrids.

  • 1/3 super soil or nursery mix
  • 1/3 small perlite
  • 1/3 fine orchid bark
  • handful of cedar chips
  • handful of charcoal when I have it

I fertilize all plants the same, when I remember, with Hi Bloom, an Osmocote-like fertilizer that is not temperature dependent like Osmocote. It doesn't have to be over 70 F to work. I usually try to add a spoon to each pot in Nov and Feb. Then I might use a 10-10-10 the rest of the time when I remember. Mine thrive on neglect! I water most times once a week with exceptions and surely not as much in our winter. I live in a Mediterranean climate, rare freezes, near San Francisco, California

Mary C, San Mateo, Calif

Here is very airy and spongy mix that needs high humidity (mine is 80% @78deg.F).

  • 1 strip 6" x 48" of coir fiber mat, cut in to 1/2" squares
  • 1 24" x 24" square of Green moss (no dye) shredded
  • 1 24" x 24" square of Maiden Hair moss (no dye) shredded
  • 1/4 of expanded brick coir mash
  • 1 24 "x 24" square of wood shavings (excelsior) (used as cheap packing material for heavy-object shipping. Be sure it is untreated because it is also sold as a top dressing but is treated. It looks like spanish moss) (In US you can buy at Michaels craft stores.)
  • about 8" compact ball of Spanish moss
  • Optional -- 4 tblspn of triple phosphate
  • Stir or shake well in a trash bag

This makes about a 5 gal bucket of medium

Joe, Nebraska

I use the same mix for almost everything in the greenhouse except orchids.

  • 6 parts Perlite
  • 5 parts peat moss

I fertilize for about 8 months of the year with Miracle Gro general purpose plant food, through a hose-end sprayer, about 2 teaspoons to a gallon every third time I water from early spring until October. I fertilize according to the size of the plant; big ones get more, little ones get less. I don't water on a schedule, but try to water when the plants are dry about 1/3 the depth of the pot and a little dryer in the winter.

Jerrie in NW Illinois

I think soil contains to much calcium. Calcium inhibits the absorption of potash. Potash makes the plant stouter and more dry-resistant. It is better to use an acid and well drained mix. Three different mixes with more or less the same results:

Fine sphagnum, contains much air. I use it only to germinate Rhipsalis seeds. Desinfecting is very important. Sphagnum is very rare in the nature so I don't use this for larger amounts.

Orchid mix, it is almost disinfected, but I find it too expensive. It is more difficult to warm up this mix because it stays too moist for a long time.

I use always a more sandy mix.

  • 1/3 peat
  • 1/3 semi-digest leaf ground
  • 1/3 river sand

This mix warms up quickly and it drains very well. It's a rich ground and it is cheap. You may use it for large amounts. I think that this is one of the better mixes for Rhipsalis.

David

Meadowbrook Farm mix (superior drainage suitable for all cacti and succulents in a sunny greenhouse that dries out)
(Philadelphia, PA)

  • Scott's Metromix 560 50-lb bag (contains coconut coir pith; no peat moss)
  • Turf Fine 38-lb bag
  • Fine chicken grit 25 lb bag
  • Larger chicken grit 25 lb bag
  • 8 ounces of micronutrients in the form of Micromax, also from Scotts

For Metromix info see http://www.carlinsales.com/page.cfm/537

I've used unmeasured amounts of the following ingredients to achieve a "barky" mix with good aeration and drainage. This is suitable for my winter-cool greenhouse in eastern Pennsylvania. My plants summer outside under trees.

  • Recipe #1
  • ½-inch to ¾-inch coconut husk
  • shredded tree-fern
  • Aliflor pellets, 1/4-inch diameter (a volcanic product I bought from a Florida supplier)
  • Redwood bark chips
  • Charcoal if I have it
  • Pumice (white)
  • Large-size Perlite sometimes
  • Recipe #2
  • ½-inch to ¾-inch coconut husk
  • shredded tree-fern
  • Redwood bark chips
  • Charcoal if I have it
  • Permatill® (stalite, sold as Vole Bloc, a lightweight expanded slate product)

    I tried the Meadowbrook Farm mix (with a substitute Permatill® for the large Chicken grit) but found that it stayed wet too long and compacted in my cool greenhouse.

    After 30+ years, I only began fertilizing within the past two years. I fertilize Oct - May when the plants are in the greenhouse, using an in-line unit that feeds a little fertilizer in each watering. I use whatever fertilizer I purchase on sale.

    I cannot say enough good things about Permatill® (see Horticulture at http://www.stalite.com/applications.htm ) also sold in small bags as Vole Bloc™, and in massive amounts for use as a 50 percent base for planting roof gardens, and as an additive in making concrete. I am using a soilless mix of Permatill® and builder's sand to grow hardy Sempervivums. This material is perfect for growing alpines and the like in tubs because it eliminates rot.

    Ken, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

    I keep my Rhipsalis in the commercial mix for orchids. This is a very coarse mix with peat, partially decomposed bark... and they grow fine in it. I don't fertilise very much, about 5 times a year with liquid fertiliser for cacti. So a fertiliser with a quite low nitrogen content. Maybe more nitrogen wouldn't hurt.

    Pieter, Belgium

    No special potting mix but fertilize with Africa violet fertilizer 6-6-6 or water occassionally with a water made from used coffee grounds.

    Julianna