Hi, Irish. You don't say exactly what your catts do in the AG -- fail to take? rot after getting new roots? etc. Knowing that might make it easier to help you adapt them to the AG.

With any medium, you always do have to figure out how best to use it for your own conditions and habits.

But in the meantime, here is my experience with AG:

I've used Aussie Gold for catts and oncids for two summers and last winter. For me, it was just great for them, a big plus over s/h. Unlike you, I had no luck with it for phals. Also unlike you, I'm not an underwaterer (except for summer of 07)

The two summers were quite different for the catts and oncids outside. In 06, they got good sun, regular water and fertilizer, grew nicely and bloomed. In 07, they got a lot more sun (to the sunburn point) and a lot less water in a less-than-primo spot. They also got left out til frost. Grew fine and bloomed beautifully, with more blooms than in 06.

So in my experience, the AG worked for both more and less watering.

I've given most of them away over the summer and fall. Nearly all of them had roots completely filling the pot when they were unpotted for giving away. The rootball came out of the pot intact, roots holding in every smidge of the AG. They all "needed" bigger pots.

I did decide that bulb pans were better (for me) than deep pots, especially in winter, so they were all in bulb pans -- the lesser depth made a big difference for me.

I was also religious about planting them with pbs and rhyzomes riding on the AG instead of in it. Especially with oncids, I often tucked a few threads of sphag around the growing points on new pbs to get them started rooting.

The only other thing that might have made a difference was that I used about a 1" layer of pure diatomite in the bottom of the pan, on the theory that if they got too dry they could go down to the very bottom and suck some moisture out of the diatomite.

There are a couple of underwaterers who have tried AG. They might be able to help more.

Aussie is tricky. I've used it for a few years and the plants growing well in it have dwindled. I am an underwaterer also. I have all mature dendrobiums in it, but seedlings need more moisture and are in Aussie with some CHC or sphag.

Using it needs judgement. There are Catt hybrids which do well in it and others that need a mix that will retain moisture longer. Aussie dries out very quickly indoors in winter. I find I need to water more often than with bark mixes. Certain plants like the mix and other hate it. I've had to move plants out of it or add some sphag or bark to it. I rarely use it alone now.

Cattleya's are a mixed bag. Again there are some hybrids which want their roots moister and Aussie doesn't work with those in winter. Some do okay if you add a sphag top-coat in winter to keep some moisture above the roots.

You really have to know your plants and what they respond to. The problem with it is that when it dries out, it is hard to rehydrate. You need to soak the plant for at least an hour to get moisture to hold in the mix.

I love it for outdoor growing in summer. It is free draining and doesn't break down. You can't over-water it. Inside, during winter is a different story. You need to play with it. Try it on a few plants - Catts or dens. See how they do over winter.

Jane

Do not know what the other ingredients are in Aussie Gold so i cannot comment on the product but i do have some reservations on using Diatomite where it forms a high proportion of the mix.

That said, i'm using it on everything but only at the recommended proportion of 10-15% Diatomite.

For "Cattleyas" i use 50% treated pine bark plus 50% CHC and add 10 -15% Diatomite to that.

Re. the Dendrobiums which sort are you talking about? Once every couple of weeks for the warm growing evergreen hybrids types sounds a bit arid.

I use Aussie Gold, but find that I have to keep it evenly watered all the time. It does hold moisture, but it can dry out and if neglected, as some plants of mine were, the plant goes downhill fast. So I always keep an eye out on AG to make sure it doesn't become completely dry. No I'm making my own AG type mix. Medium and fine Dynagrow diatomite, ground coir, ground or fine charcoal and perlite. I make a huge trash can full of it. Cheaper than buying the AG. Basically the same mix.

Toyo, that is the problem I run into indoors in Winter. It dries out very quickly (low humidity & furnace running 24/7) and is difficult to get it rehydrated. If you are not careful, the plant becomes too dry and the roots suffer.

Jane

Jane, ny,

Yes, AG has a problem of drying out easily. Winter or summer if you don't keep your eye on it. Some plants that were hidden in a corner of my GH got badly dehydrated in AG, and the I had to repot in long strand sphag to get the plant back into shape again.

dave

For me I find it tricky because I'm a poor waterer. You really have to know your growing style. Best to try it on plants which like to stay dry like dens. But you can add sphag or CHC or fool with it. The stuff is too expensive to not use.

Jane