Packing Peanuts
Packing peanuts are used in the bottom of the pot to provide drainage and allow the mix to dry out faster. They are also used to compensate for a pot that is slightly too big or too deep. They can also be used with very large plants to reduce the weight of the pot and mix. Packing peanuts are made from foam polystyrene (trade name 'Styrofoam'). They are made up of 5% polystyrene and 95% air making them very light. Packing peanuts work very will when mixed in with sphagnum to reduce the amount of moisture held by the mix. Phalaenopsis roots will grow right through the middle of peanuts as though they like them. Packing peanuts used in orchid repotting must not be the kind that break down in water and should be pure white, not colors. Peanuts are a useful in training branched spikes to present their blooms well by gently wedging a peanut between the primary spike and side spike.
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