more heli media questions, this time cypress

[Av8tor1]

First, which one... the cypress mulch blends of both tree and bark, or the "Premium" grade bark only mulch (2-3X the cost)

secondly, I can only find this one documented cypress heli mix:

25% cypress mulch
25% perlite
25% peat
and another 25% LFS added as a top layer

any other secret family cypress recipes out there?

and any caveats with using cypress?

TIA,
Av

 

[glider14]

i use straight live sphagnum. open, everlasting, very decorative and... if you let it grow...its free
Alex

 

[Dave S.]

My current heli mix receipe is:

60% AGWAY Cypress Bark Mulch
30% LFS
10% perlite or coco fiber

I have had good luck with cypress bark and I like to top dress the pot with live LFS.

 

[Av8tor1]

Glider,

that is still an option I am considering... I have plenty available

Dave,

Thanks, for the info
the only premium brand I could find locally was Cypress Royal

everything else was labeled as "blended" which worried me LOL

I tell ya what, I have seen your mix work... and I'm impressed

Av

 

[glider14]

the only thing i have to do with mine is trim it back every now and then.

 

[Jefforever]

i use straight live sphagnum. open, everlasting, very decorative and... if you let it grow...its free
Alex

Sphagnum just burns here, even when I'm in Oregon! :-(

Heli media: Don't forget the Vermiculite!!!!

 

[quogue]

Vermiculite is no good for nuthing. Turns to a nasty mush after awhile..
Only thing I'll use it for is Mexi-Pings.

 

[Av8tor1]

a little research on the characteristics of cypress bark....

it is Ph neutral and doesn't really become a carbon sink, but neither does it provide much in the way of trace nutrients due to its slow deterioration rate

highly resistant to pests and molds

 

[jrod]

Sounds about the same as the fir bark used in most orchid mixes, but the cypress bark might be less prone to decompose than the fir bark. Since most people grow their Helis moist, rather than wet, orchid bark might work well.