Canadians
Fir Bark
A standard from many orchid growers. Fir bark provides excellent air movement to roots.
Fine
This potting material is recommended for fine rooted orchid plants and seedlings. Typical uses are Paphiopedilums, Phragmipediums and Pleurothallids which do not want to dry out completely between waterings. When properly used, can be maintained for 12 to 18 months before requiring replacement depending upon your watering patterns.
Medium 
This material is commonly recommended for orchids with medium sized roots which do not necessarily want to dry out completely between waterings such as mid size Cattleyas and Oncicium Alliance. When properly used, can be maintained for 18 months to two years before requiring replacement depending upon your watering patterns.
Sphagnum
Superior to Chilean sphagnum, New Zealand sphagnum is grown and sustainably harvested in isolated swamps on the west coast of New Zealand. Harvested only every 5 years and flown out by helicopter to further protect the environment, this harvest is overseen by a NZ Government agency to ensure a sustainable renewable resource.
In pots, this incredible media will last two years or longer (Chilean is good for 1 year) depending on your watering. It can be used alone or mixed with other media to increase moisture retention. It can hold 20 times its weight in water, and has known antiseptic properties to protect your plants.
Soak the moss for 5 minutes, then squeeze out the excess water. Gently tease apart the fibres before filling the pot. DO NOT OVER PACK, there should still be air spaces in the media or the roots will suffocate, killing the plant.
Custom Mixes
Fine Mix
Designed for fine rooted plants, this custom blend includes vermiculite, perlite and charcoal, and is suitable for oncidium intergenerics, pleurothallids, paphs and phrags. Media should be replaced every 12 months to 2 years depending upon your watering patterns.
Mélange d'orchidée sur mesure Base d'écorce fine
Désigné pour des plantes aux racines minces, ce mélange sur mesure contient de la perlite, la vermiculite et charbon de bois. Il est idéal pour les plantes de oncidium intergeneric, les paphs et phrags et les pleurothallis. Le mélange devrait être remplacé entre 12 à 24 mois selon vos habitudes d'arrosage.
Medium Mix
Designed for thicker rooted plants. This custom blend includes sponge rock and charcoal for increased root zone aeration. This mix is suitable for larger Oncidium Intergenerics, Phalaenopsis and Cattleya alliance orchids. Media should be replaced every 12 months to 2 years depending upon your watering patterns.
Mélange d'orchidée sur mesure base d'écorce moyenne
Désigné pour des plantes aux racines moyenne, ce mélange sur mesure contient de la spongerock et le charbon de bois. Il est idéal pour les oncidium et cattleya intergenerics. Le mélange devrait être remplacé entre 12 à 24 mois selon vos habitudes d'arrosage.
Charcoal
Charcoal is often
used as a component in orchid potting mix becuase it is inert (will not decay), allows flow of air through the potting mix, and some believe, it binds certain toxins from the metabolism (breakdown) of the organic components of the potting mix. Charcoal is carbon resulting from the burning of wood. It should be pointed out that some experienced growers often grow orchids without the use of charcoal, so it is not an essential ingredient.
Most commonly, charcoal is only one ingredient. Most poitting mises have both organic and inorganic components. These are needed in the proper balanace to help keep moisture ot the roots, provide some nutrition, permit air movement through the mix, and help to firmly anchor the plant in its pot. We include charcoal in all of our custom mixes.
In our experience, we have found that adding charcoal helps "sweeten" the mix. It prolongs the life of the media so you don't have to re-pot as often. Also, as the media breaks down, which happens naturally over time, the charcoal will minimize any foul odor wich rotting fir bark can cause.
Coconut Husk
Excellent for moisture loving and thirsty plants. Great for apartment dwellers who need to keep plants moist in dryer atmospheres. Coco husk is very popular with growers of Cattleya alliance and Oncidium intergenerics. This media must be washed 1 or 2 times before use or plants may be damaged. Recommend soaking for 1 ½ hours at a time in hot water to remove excess salts. When properly used, can be maintained for up to two years before needing replacement.
Idéal pour des plantes qui aiment l'eau et l'humidité. Très bien pour des gens en appartement qui ont besoin de garder les plantes humides dans un environnement sec. Il est idéal pour les plantes suivantes : << oncidium intergenerics et cattleya alliance.>> Il faut les laver 1 à 2 fois avant utilisation - sinon, les plantes peuvent êtres endommagées. Nous recommandons de les tremper dans l'eau chaude pour 1.5 heures afin d'enlever le sel. Avec une bonne utilisation, le matériel peut se garder deux ans avant qu'un « husk » de rechange soit nécessaire.
Crushed Oyster Shell 
Important to the health of limestone (Calcium Carbonate) loving Paphiopedilums. Add 1 teaspoon to the pot every three months. This is a small container weighing about 400g. Oyster Shell is a natural organic source of calcium and trace minerals for calcium loving orchids susch as Paphs. It is 96% calcium carbonate , a gentle source of elemental calcium. Use as a topdressing and replace when gone. The variable particle size allows for immediate and long term release. Oyster shell is basic and is used to raise pH in orchid mix.
Sponge Rock / Perlite
Perlite is a naturally occurring, mixed glassy silicate of volcanic origin which 'pops' when furnaced. Its unique internal structure consists of numerous tiny closed air cells surrounded by a large exterior irregular surface. Expanded Perlite is ultra-lightweight, inert, sterile, permanent, incombustible, asbestos- free, non-toxic, rot and vermin proof and has a neutral pH. Its extremely large, open surface area allows it to retain water in mixes while maintaining air spaces, important for healthy root growth.
La perlite est un silicate vitreux naturel et mélangé d'origine volcanique qui les 'bruits quand furnaced. Son structure interne unique se compose de nombreuses cellules fermées minuscules d'air entourées par une grande surface irrégulière extérieure. La perlite augmentée est ultra-légère, inerte, stérile, permanente, incombustible, amiante preuve librement, non-toxique, de putréfaction et de vermine et a un pH neutre. Son superficie extrêmement grande et ouverte lui permet de maintenir l'eau dans les mélanges tout en maintenant des espaces aériens, importants pour la croissance saine de racine.