Question
I have written to you before, you are the orchid guru!
I recently took a trip to Florida where my friend had orchids growing in his yard.  I put one in a baggie to bring home to my 85 year old dad who loves the one orchid we bought him years ago.  When I opened the baggie the roots (?) were surrounded by wood chips which were infested with ants. I shook off all of the wood chips and sprayed them with boric acid, so as not to tranplant the ants here. Since the I shook off the bark and wood chips, I don't think the dirt mix I transplanted the orchid is what they need to prosper. What should be in the mix of the planter for the orchids to prosper? Appreciate your time, Ange

Answer
Angela, I recommend that you purchase a commercial grade of orchid potting mix.  These can be found nationwide at Home Depots or Lowes.  This is much simpler than buying the various ingredients and preparing your own potting mix.  After you get the orchid potting mix, soak the portion of it that you plan to use in to repot your orchid.  Be sure the pot you use is just large enough for the roots and has planty of drainage holes.  Orchids are usually potted in a mix of fir bark, perlite, and charcoal, but other additonal ingredients are often used. In nature, orchids usually attach to the bark of trees so prefer lots of air at the roots.  Thank you for your comments.