$ 32.95
| /
ORCHID POTTING MIX #116: THE CLASSIC
Some formulas don't need reinventing, they have withstood the test of time and have proven to be exceptional, this is one of those mixes.
Orchiata bark, coarse perlite and real hardwood charcoal. That's it.
Mix #116 is an exceptionally open, fast-draining orchid substrate designed to provide tremendous airflow around the roots while retaining appropriate moisture between waterings.
It's simple because it works.
Drainage: ★★★★★
Aeration: ★★★★★
Moisture Retention: ★★☆☆☆
Natural Capillary Wicking / Bottom Watering: ★☆☆☆☆
Physical Wick / Self-Watering Compatibility: ★★☆☆☆
Texture: Chunky
Peat Free: Yes
🌿 THE STORY BEHIND #116
When I first started growing orchids back in the 1980s (OMG, I just realized how old that makes me sound), this was the very first style of mix I used.
My aunt had been using essentially the same combination since the 1960s, passed down to her by the person who taught her how to grow orchids, my grandfather.
Decades later, I'm still using it, and whoever I have a doubt, it is where I start.
Orchid growing has seen countless new substrates, additives and growing methods come and go, but the principle behind this mix hasn't changed: give epiphytic orchid roots structure, appropriate moisture and lots of air.
There isn't much here to market as revolutionary, and that's exactly the point.
🔬 WHAT'S INSIDE?
ORCHIATA PINE BARK
We use genuine New Zealand Orchiata, a premium, long-lasting orchid bark treated with dolomite by the manufacturer.
Choose the grade that best matches your plants needs, pot size and growing conditions:
Precision: 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4")
Classic: 6–9 mm (1/4–3/8")
Power: 9–12 mm (3/8–1/2")
Power+: 12–15 mm (1/2–3/4")
PERLITE
We triple-grade our perlite to remove smaller particles and dust, then wash it before blending. Some new dust can naturally develop from friction during shipping.
Its role is simple: help maintain an open, highly aerated root environment. and we will adjust the sizer to compliment your choice of pine bark
REAL HARDWOOD CHARCOAL
This one took us a while to source.
We wanted actual hardwood charcoal, not the dusty, brittle material or compressed alternatives commonly sold under the same name.
Our hardwood charcoal is graded to complement the selected Orchiata grade and provides another coarse, durable component that helps maintain the open structure of the substrate.
🌱 FOUR GRADES, ONE MIX
The ingredients remain the same. What changes is the particle size, allowing you to choose the version best suited to your plants and growing conditions.
Precision is the finest grade and is particularly useful for seedlings, smaller orchids and smaller containers.
Classic is our versatile general-purpose grade.
Power provides a coarser substrate for larger plants, larger roots and growers wanting increased openness.
Power+ is the chunkiest option for situations where maximum openness and larger particle size are preferred.
🌿 WHAT CAN I GROW IN IT?
Mix #116 was developed first and foremost for epiphytic orchids, including many Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Oncidium-alliance and other orchids suited to coarse bark culture.
The finer grades can also be useful for orchid seedlings and certain Aroids, while the coarser grades may suit other epiphytic plants that appreciate substantial airflow around their roots.
🧪 USE IT AS-IS OR MAKE IT YOURS
Mix #116 works beautifully straight from the bag, but it also makes an excellent starting point for growers who prefer to customize their substrate.
Need greater moisture retention for your particular environment? Add your preferred moisture-retentive component.
Already have humid conditions or prefer to water frequently? Use it exactly as supplied.
That's part of what makes this classic combination so useful. It can be adapted to your growing conditions without unnecessarily complicating the substrate.
📦 BOOSTER PACK
This mix works exceptionally well with our completely natural Booster Pack (Myco+ Essentials). It is NOT a fertilizer. Instead, it helps bring the mix to life, supporting your plant as it establishes and helping create a better environment for the fertilizer you apply.
Adding the Booster Pack gives your plants an extra helping hand, especially during establishment, but it is absolutely not necessary for success. Mix #116 is designed to perform exceptionally well on its own.
🛠️ MADE TO ORDER
Every bag is prepared by hand to order rather than mass-produced and stored as finished substrate.
