When my mother lived in Chicago she had problems growing streps in summer. She found that she could keep them going by planting them in low wide bulb pans with a small root ball in potting soil surrounded by long fiber sphagnum moss. The moss seemed to keep the plants happy. My Florida friends who grow streps have them indoors in air conditioned rooms.

Jon

I just picked up a bag - have not used it yet. However, it is less diatomite than I thought, and would probably work well. There are pictures of the mix at their website, linked below. The stuff is heavy (small bag = 10 lbs) so if ordering online, expect shipping charges.

Here is a link that might be useful: Aussie Gold

Well I've tried this with my streps and it is just too wet since I wick water. I'm going to do what Jon suggest and use spaghnum moss. My orchids look good but it takes them longer too take a downhill slide.
Barb