Creating soil for good growth of orchids. Soil for orchids: we collect the composition with our own hands

Tell me, what kind of soil is needed for an orchid? Colleagues at work gave me a flower a couple of years ago. During this time, the orchid has grown greatly, the roots literally spread out on the windowsill, and the bush itself will soon fall out of the pot. I came to the conclusion that I need to transplant into a large dish. This is my first orchid, and at home, apart from the universal substrate, there is nothing. I heard that such soil is not suitable for these flowers, so what should I plant it in?

Orchids, like other epiphytic plants, get their food from aerial roots. They “take root” with them, clinging to a support-tree in nature. These flowers do not need the earth as such, it serves more so that the bush does not collapse and firmly takes up a vertical position. But at the same time, an orchid growing at home needs to eat something and take useful substances from somewhere. For indoor specimens, special mixtures are created that absorb and give off water well, and will also nourish them. In order for the capricious epiphyte to feel good and bloom regularly, it is important to know what soil is needed for the orchid. Many flower growers prepare the soil on their own, including for these plants. Knowing what and with what to mix, this will not be difficult to do.

When choosing or mixing soil, it is also important to consider which group your orchid belongs to. Although epiphytic flowers are most often grown in apartments, there are also ground orchids. For them, the composition of the soil mixture will be somewhat different.

The composition of the substrate for epiphytic orchids

Phalaenopsis and dendrobium require, first of all, reliable support in a pot. Growing on branches, these orchids thrive in pine bark pots. It absorbs moisture and fertilizers well when watering, then gradually giving them to the roots of the flower, and also allows air to pass through. Such plants do not need land, moreover, they will die in it, “suffocate”.

Instead of pine bark, you can take oak or birch bark.

The bark is the main component of the soil mixture for epiphytes, and you can keep moisture in it longer by adding a little moss and charcoal. The latter, moreover, will cleanse the soil of harmful bacteria.

What kind of soil is needed for a terrestrial orchid?

Since in nature such flowers do not grow on a tree, but in the ground, the substrate in the pot must also contain it. In this case, it is he who acts as the main component of the mixture, and the bark is already a secondary, additional, “ingredient”. The earth should be light, but nutritious, with the addition of organic components. The ground orchid will take food from the soil, so you need to make it saturated with trace elements.

Growing representatives of the orchid family at home is significantly different from classical breeding indoor plants. main feature tropical beauties lies in the fact that they feed not from the earth, but from the atmosphere and the bark of donor trees. To create conditions close to their natural existence, orchid pots and specially prepared substrates for their growth are used.

What are the main features of the plant?

The royal orchid beckons and fascinates with its unusual beauty. Magnificent flowering clusters have made her a favorite among houseplants. When growing this flower, it is necessary to take into account its natural features, and then for a long time it will delight with its abundant flowering. The main difference between crops and indoor flowers is that, being epiphytes, they have aerial roots and in their natural environment they feed not from the soil, but from the atmosphere and bark of a tree donor.

Growing tropical beauties at home became possible after breeders developed special hybrids, a prominent representative of which is phalaenopsis. It has a wide color spectrum and is easy to care for. When growing representatives of the orchid family, the main task is to create conditions close to natural. Properly prepared soil will allow the flower to gain a foothold in one place and constantly receive food.

Ready-made soils for orchids are widely represented in specialized outlets, they can be ordered via the Internet, but it is better to cook with your own hands.

What is orchid soil made of?

Successful cultivation of plants directly depends on the quality of the soil. Soils for home floriculture must meet certain requirements:

have the ability to retain water for the root system;
do not retain moisture in the pot for more than four days;
not be compressed, it is good to pass air.

Compliance with these classic rules allows you to have beautiful healthy flowers of any kind. all year round. The roots of the representatives of the orchid family have a unique ability to store moisture, like an earthen coma in a pot, and then give it to the plant. This property is due to the presence of a layer of velamen on them, which has a structure similar to a sponge, and should not be wet for a long time - otherwise it will rot. Velamen coating replaces the earth with orchids, and this is their main difference from all other types of indoor flowers.

root system orchids transfer the accumulated liquid to the plant, remaining dry and able to breathe air, that is, the substrate must dry out as quickly as possible. This is the main condition that the finished soil must meet.

Soil components

The stores now offer a wide range of ready-made soil mixtures for growing orchids, but it is not always possible to choose the soil for a particular species. It is easy to prepare the necessary substrate with your own hands, the choice of components should be determined not by the nutritional qualities of the components, but by how much the finished mass will be permeable to air, moisture and light. The soil consists of several ingredients of both natural and man-made origin.

Soil components:

wood, pine bark;
sphagnum moss;
fern roots;
coal;
expanded clay;
polystyrene;
coconut fiber;
peat;
perlite - rock;
vermiculite is a mineral;
Pine cones.

Each material has a role to play. This determines its share in the total volume of the substrate, so that the soil mixture is properly structured and meets the necessary requirements.

tree bark

The main component of soil for orchids is tree bark. It experiences significant loads from exposure to moisture and growing roots. Its condition directly affects the quality of the soil mixture.

The best option is pine, you can use other conifers. This material is offered by flower shops, but it is easy to prepare it yourself. The collection is made only from dead trees: sawn logs, deadwood or dead wood. Pieces must be taken strong, without mold, traces of rot and mass damage by insects. Purchased or harvested bark must be processed as follows:

boil in water for an hour: to destroy eggs and insect larvae and cleanse excess resins;
cut into plump pieces 2x2 cm in size;
dry in the oven at 100 degrees.

The material is ready to be sent to flower pot. To reduce the acidity of the soil, you can add a pinch of dolomite flour to it.

Sphagnum moss and fern roots

Swamp moss sphagnum has a number of properties that create comfortable conditions for the growth of orchids, namely:

gives looseness to the soil;
retains moisture without compacting the soil;
absorbs harmful salts;
prevents decay.

It can be purchased at ready-made, previously dried and disinfected. At self-harvesting the collected raw materials must be sorted out, washed, poured with boiling water and, squeezed, dry well. The best time for collection - late autumn.

Sphagnum is an ambulance for orchids that die from rotting or drying out of the roots.

Fern rhizomes have properties similar to moss. Before adding to the soil, they are cut into small pieces and subjected to the processing described above.

Technical materials

Florists widely use technical materials for soil structuring. These are expanded clay, polystyrene, polystyrene and foam rubber. Expanded clay drainage is indispensable for growing orchids, its main advantage is its high hygroscopicity. Charcoal has a similar property, which is also used as a disinfectant and absorbent. It is included in the composition of the soil in pieces of at least two centimeters.

Fragments synthetic materials- polystyrene, polystyrene and foam rubber show their properties very well in the composition of the soil for orchids. Their presence significantly reduces the risk of soil mixture caking and increases its air permeability, moreover, they do not emit harmful substances and have a long shelf life.

Other soil components

Peat, pine cones, coconut fibers, perlite rock, and the mineral vermiculite can be added to the orchid substrate. All these components increase the friability of the soil mixture, prevent its caking and increase air permeability.

In addition, peat and vermiculite are able to protect plants from mold, fungal infections, harmful insects and retain moisture in the soil. When using peat, it is necessary to take into account its increased acidity; to reduce it, add dolomite flour. All species of the orchid family are epiphytes, therefore classic version land for indoor flowers is not suitable for them. The substrate for orchids should consist mainly of whole pieces of pine bark up to three centimeters in size, with the addition of sphagnum and expanded clay.

The composition may include other additional components that increase the air permeability and friability of the soil. The resistance of the constituent materials and their dimensions affect the duration of use of the prepared mixture.

Examples of preparing a mixture for orchids

There are many options for preparing soil for orchids. The main task is to maintain the desired ratio between the components. If the composition is chosen correctly, the plant will delight with its flowering for a long time.

Example #1:

pine bark - 5 parts;
charcoal - 1 part.

The soil will have good air permeability, low moisture capacity and protection against decay.

Example #2:

pine bark - 5 parts;
sphagnum moss - 2 parts;
charcoal - 1 part.

The soil will be loose, with good air circulation, retaining moisture and preventing decay.

Example #3:

tree bark - 3 parts;
peat - 1 part;
expanded clay - 1 part;
coal - 1 part;
dolomite flour - 1 pinch.

The substrate is used for adult plants and meets all requirements. When preparing the soil yourself, a good guideline is the ingredients of the soil in which the orchid was sold.

What are the best flower pots?

Usually the choice of a pot for an indoor flower is determined by the size of the plant and the preferences of the grower. With orchids, things are not so simple. In nature, tropical beauties, with the help of powerful roots, settle on tree trunks and live almost without land. It is impossible to create such conditions at home, they can only be brought closer. the main role in solving this problem belongs to the capacity, which should provide:

unobstructed outflow of water;
good aeration of the roots and soil inside the container;
optimal temperature regime;
the ability to safely extract long roots.

The material from which the pot is made is important. Is it clay or plastic? Glass is not recommended. There are several parameters that an orchid flower container must comply with:

the size of the pot is equal to the volume of the root system;
the bottom has many drainage holes, well, if they are located on the sides;
the material is transparent, but not glass;
for stability, a planter is used, the diameter of which is 2-3 cm larger.

clay pot

Clay is natural material. A pot made from it passes air and moisture well. It is heavy and provides the plant with a stable position.

It is good to use a clay container for cool-loving orchids whose roots do not participate in the process of photosynthesis. The main disadvantage is the possibility of root growth to the walls, as they will be damaged during transplantation. Another disadvantage is the rapid drying of the substrate.

plastic pot

The best for growing orchids is a transparent plastic pot, which allows you to monitor the state of the root system, moisture consumption, the drying process of the soil and respond in a timely manner to any deviations. Plastic containers reliably protect the roots from drying out, do not allow them to overcool or overheat.

The design of such a pot has many holes for draining excess water, which does not allow it to linger in the substrate. Plastic is soft material, which greatly facilitates the transplantation of an orchid in case of root germination outside the container. In such a situation, in order not to damage the plant and safely remove it, it is necessary to cut its walls.

The only downside plastic containers is lightness. A flower in such a container is very unstable, it can fall from the windowsill, get seriously injured and even die. To avoid such a situation, it is recommended to use a spectacular planter that will emphasize the beauty of the plant and protect it.

Planters or baskets

Orchids can be grown in baskets or wicker planters. For them use various material A: wood, bamboo, plastic or metal mesh. They are very aesthetic and serve as an interior decoration.

The main condition is a large number of drainage holes at the bottom. Disadvantage - short-lived, quickly rot due to frequent watering.

Planting and transplanting orchids

Orchids should be planted before the start of the active growth period (usually in spring). The main rule is not to damage the roots of the plant. You need to start by filling the pot one quarter with drainage: expanded clay, polystyrene foam or polystyrene. Then the root system of the flower is distributed and moistened soil is sprinkled. The largest pieces of bark are laid down, then smaller ones. The sheet rosette is tightly placed in the container and is not allowed to swing. Next, you should water, stand in a shaded place for up to four weeks and expose to the sun.

An adult orchid is transplanted when it no longer fits in its container, but no more than once every three years. At the beginning, it must be watered abundantly. If the plant has grown strongly, divide it into parts and plant separately.

At correct transplant, as a result of which the root system did not suffer, the culture will be able to bloom this year.

Orchids are amazing beautiful flowers, but rather capricious in care. They require certain conditions of detention. They also need special soil, which can be purchased at flower shop in finished form. But it is quite possible to prepare a substrate suitable for plants with your own hands, although this can turn out to be a somewhat troublesome task.

What soil is suitable for orchids

In maintenance and care, these flowers are fundamentally different from other indoor plants. Ordinary garden soil does not suit them. In such soil, they quickly die. Need special soil for orchids. You can make it yourself by preparing and mixing certain ingredients. But in order for the nutrient medium to optimally suit the plant, you need to know exactly which variety the orchid belongs to.

Compound suitable soil for orchids will depend on which of the two groups this or that plant belongs to:

flowers that grow on trees in nature - their aerial roots do not require a rich nutrient medium, but the soil must be loose and well-permeable to moisture;
orchids growing in the ground - although their root system is located in the soil, it is quite different in composition from the soil used to plant other indoor flowers.

In indoor floriculture, varieties of orchids from growing on trees are more common. The substrate for them can be taken purchased, already completely ready for planting, or partially changed depending on the needs of the flower. But to be sure of the safety of the soil for orchids, you can do it yourself.

What is in the substrate

The basis of the soil for these colors is:

Bark - Pine or oak bark is more commonly used. But it can also be taken from larch or aspen. The bark does not need to be cut from the tree, it should be easy to separate from the trunk, be dry and free of signs of mold. And it is better to remove it from a tree that has fallen at least a year ago.

Attention! Fresh bark for the substrate is not used, since any disease can be brought along with it.

Charcoal - it can be taken from a burnt birch, oak or beech trunk. And in order to be sure that there are no impurities that can be harmful to the plant, it is better to burn a suitable log yourself.
Moss - Sphagnum is best, you can buy it or bring it from the forest.
Expanded clay, pumice, pieces of foam - are used for drainage when planting orchids.

When compiling the soil for orchids, other parts are also used. Nut skins, coconut fibers, sunflower seed husks are added to the substrate - this is a good baking powder of organic origin. You can also add pieces of fern root by digging up a healthy and fairly large specimen of this plant in the summer.

And to protect the flower from the development of fungal diseases and to loosen the substrate, small pieces of minerals such as perlite or vermiculite are added.

When preparing the soil, sand (white river or coarse quartz), peat and leafy soil are also used, which can be prepared independently during the warm period. They are used for the substrate of certain orchid varieties. Fallen leaves are also not added for all species.

Advice. Fallen leaves are taken from trees such as oak, aspen, apple tree. And to protect the substrate from the appearance of mold, it is good to add peach leaves to it.

Ground Component Processing

All components of the substrate harvested in the forest or in the swamp must be properly processed before use. All components must be thoroughly washed clean water and then dry. The bark and moss must also be boiled or calcined in the oven, then dried, and after a few days repeat this procedure.

Boiling water treatment is also desirable for other components. And many flower growers advise moss to be additionally treated with insecticides. After such treatments, bark, moss and everything else can be safely used to prepare soil for planting.

Soil preparation

The simplest soil recipe might be as little as 5 parts bark and 1 part charcoal. But it can not be called the best option for plants. It will be optimal for most orchids if the soil also includes moss (1 or 2 parts) and expanded clay or crushed pumice for drainage.

Orchid transplant

Other components can be used for the substrate depending on the needs of the flower, adding them to the soil if necessary. It is important that all parts are disinfected, dried well and thoroughly mixed. It is also necessary to disinfect the container for planting the plant.

Orchid can not be called ordinary indoor flower, because it requires a special approach when growing. The soil for it also needs to be prepared very carefully. And although such a procedure is somewhat troublesome, many flower growers always prefer to prepare the substrate on their own. For those who do this for the first time, it is better to first watch the entire preparation process step by step on a video or photo.

Substrate for orchids: video

As you know, replacing the soil for a flower is a kind of stress. For this reason orchids are transplanted every 3 years with soil replacement(Read about when it is best to transplant an orchid at home, and from you you will find out whether this procedure can be performed in the autumn). So during this period, the soil is greatly depleted, losing valuable properties:

The balance of mineral salts is disturbed.
The substrate ages and decomposes.
The supply of micronutrients is running out.
Decreased breathability.
The level of acidity rises.

ATTENTION: Compaction of the soil leads to disruption of the drainage process, and stagnant moisture can adversely affect the root system. For the full development of exotic, carry out a complete replacement of the substrate.

General criteria for choosing a soil mixture for indoor orchids the same. The soil must have the following qualities:

Representatives of orchids that are grown at home are divided into two groups: epiphytic and terrestrial. They differ not only in name, appearance but also the growing environment. Accordingly, the substrate for plants has a number of differences.

Epiphytic orchids include varieties:

dendrobium;
cattleyas;
lycastes;
phalaenopsis;
cumbria;
zygopetalum;
Masdevallia.

For such plants, the soil is important mainly for maintaining an upright position, and then for nutrition and obtaining life-giving moisture. Hence, epiphytes do not need land, enough without a soil substrate. Mixtures have variations: 1 part charcoal and 5 parts bark. Or sphagnum moss, ash and bark chips in a ratio of 2:1:5.

Ground orchids: cymbidium and paphiopedilum, which require enhanced nutrition. The following soil composition is suitable for them:

pine bark;
wood ash;
peat.

ADVICE: It is also possible to prepare a substrate from ready ground for orchids by adding moss and some hardwood.

Experienced flower growers unequivocally answer this question - no. The habitual habitat of orchids is loose, light ground . The root system should be freely blown by air, participate in the process of photosynthesis. And in the ground, they will be compressed, as if under the weight of a stone. Under such conditions exotic flower growing is quite difficult and most likely death awaits him.

Can regular soil be used? Ground for exotic plants you can buy ready-made, cook it yourself or purchase individual components, and choose the proportions yourself. Garden stores have a wide variety of orchid potting mixes to choose from. When buying a substrate, you should pay attention to:

Unfortunately, even in trusted stores, you can buy a low-quality product. To avoid this, the substrate for orchids is prepared independently. All substrate ingredients do not have to be collected by hand, which are sold separately in specialized stores. Thus, the substrate is easy to assemble by yourself by mixing the components in the right quantities. A good product of natural material from the manufacturer "Gardens of Aurika".

How to make a mixture yourself?

In order to save Money, and also for complete confidence in the quality, the soil is prepared individually. The main composition of the substrate contains:

pine bark. This is the main component that is easy to find in a pine forest, on fallen trees. The bark should be crushed to 2-3 cm.
moss sphagnum. Collected in the forests, in the lowlands, after the snow has completely melted. Moss has antibacterial properties. Used fresh and dry.
fern roots, which contain many useful substances. Add dry to mixture.
charcoal easy to find in the ashes. Ash is needed the same size as the other components.
Expanded clay, inexpensive and lightweight material. The granules are great for drainage.

Substrate preparation options are used with the addition of coarse sand, granular clay, cork material, perlite, polystyrene, leaf earth, peat, humus.

Watch the video on collecting materials for the orchid substrate:

With soil replacement? A detailed description of the transplant process will eliminate the fuss and unnecessary mistakes. It is important to follow the sequence:

Watch a video about the correct orchid transplant:

At work, the girls gave me some wonderful orchids, and it was truly a royal gift. When it was time to transplant the "sisters", I used the soil they talked about - the usual one for flowers. What a mistake it was! Fortunately, only one flower, transplanted “for trial”, managed to suffer.

Having shoveled a lot of forums, I figured out what was the matter - it is better to mix the earth yourself (and not listen to friends who grow only petunia and pelargonium, but not orchids). Don't repeat my mistakes! In order for the orchid to feel good after transplantation, you definitely need ...

Since the orchid is an epiphyte, that is, a plant that clings to the bark of trees with its roots all its life, it is easy to guess that this flower will prefer to grow in the bark in your apartment.

It is best if it is pine (pinia bark is also good). True, it is not necessary to cut it in a large piece - on the contrary, flower growers advise grinding the bark into small (with a coin) pieces.

You can buy it, but it's cheaper - to collect it by going out into the forest for barbecue or a walk (and it doesn't matter if it's winter or summer).

It's correct to do this:

the tree must be inanimate (fallen, cut some time ago or dried up), so there will be no resin in the bark;
the bark should not be with wood, cut off only its upper balls;
do not take the bark if bark beetles have worked on the tree (the bugs themselves are not your enemies, but the gnawed pieces will quickly rot and the soil with them will become unusable);
at home, the bark should be dried a little in the oven so as not to bring undesirable microorganisms to the sensitive orchid.

Sometimes pine cones are used instead of bark. This landing option is considered rather experimental, but it has already proven itself well ... And it is also aesthetically pleasing and unbanal.

What else can be added to the substrate

Your main task is not to "clog" the soil so that it remains light and airy, without interfering with the delicate roots of the flower to breathe.

Charcoal

If you're growing a Phalaenopsis orchid, mix a lot of bark, some charcoal, just a little bit of moss, and you've got a mixture.

Where to get coal? You can grab some from the fire after burning wood (ideally birch). The main thing is that the fire is not kindled with combustible mixtures.

Some flower lovers add activated charcoal to the orchid substrate.

Swamp moss sphagnum: what is it and where to get it

It absorbs water very well. At the same time, moss contains almost no nutrients- in our case, this is good, since the orchid is very demanding on nutrition.

Dried moss is sold in stores, but it can be picked up in the forest or in the meadow (yes, it does not necessarily grow in swamps, it can also be found in lowlands or wet glades). collect moss better in spring. Moreover, it is not necessary to dry it; you can also add live, fresh sphagnum to the pot.

By the way! In addition to orchids, other flowers also love this component of the soil: anthurium, saintpaulia.

fern roots

The option is not for every flower. Terrestrial epiphytes will like it (say, cymbidium, but not phalaenopsis).

These roots are highly nutritious, so add a little at a time.

They can be found in the forest. Need to do it in early spring or late autumn. After that, the roots are washed and dried. Store them in a tied bag in the dark.

Inorganic substrates: yes or no?

If you go to a florist's shop, you will find that modern science has created many artificial soil analogues that your pet may like. And to buy them really for mere pennies. But is it worth it?

What will they offer you:

Styrofoam,
foam rubber,
mineral wool,
gravel,
perlite (white pebbles),
vermiculite (small gray pebbles),
hydrogel (yes, the same one, colored),
expanded clay.

Their advantages: high hygroscopicity, lack of reaction to top dressing, easy cleaning from heavy salts, which over time are collected in a pot from water (all these pebbles just need to be washed). All these substances can be used both as the soil itself and as additives to the already mentioned bark.

Their disadvantages: at the first use (especially if you have recently taken up orchids), you can fill your hand regarding watering for a very long time, which may cause the flower to suffer.

Why you should not use expanded clay

And at a party, and in the photo on the Internet, and even in video reviews, you can see pots filled with these brown porous ceramic granules, in which the orchid peacefully turns green.

It is easy to understand why flower growers love this material so much: it is porous, light, cheap, sold in many places, and environmentally friendly. Suitable for both the main soil and as one of the ingredients (acts as a drainage).

Porous granules absorb not only moisture, but also everything “good” that is in our tap water namely, salts of heavy metals. They take in, and then in large quantities they give dangerous salts to the roots of the flower. This slows down the growth of the plant, prevents flowering.

Moreover! If watering is delayed, not only the roots become dehydrated, but also expanded clay pellets - these hollow "caves" begin to draw moisture from the roots, dehydrating the already suffering flower.

Purchased soil for orchids

After reading everything above, you might think that they are not sold at all, otherwise why bother with cutting the bark and everything else?

But there is also "factory" land. Another question is what quality is it? Experienced orchid growers complain: in the purchased soil for these flowers there is often too much peat mixture, or even soil dust.

Of course, meet good products. But it is better to buy them for experienced people who know well what exactly a flower needs.

If you are preparing your orchid for the first transplant, bet on pine bark - it will certainly never let you down!

And the last

Each person with his apartment, life schedule and flower variety is special, so I will give you some tips on how to make the soil “for yourself”.

If you often do not have time (forget or are on the road) to water your pet on time, add more moisture-intensive components (the same moss) to the soil. They will actively absorb moisture during watering, and then give it to the flower for a long time.
If the phalaenopsis epiphyte (as well as other species growing on trees, which are 90% of the entire range in our stores) will like the bark, then the cymbidium and paphiopedilum are earthly inhabitants, which means they will not refuse both humus and leaf litter, as well as peat. The soil for these flowers can be made on the basis of fern soil.
If the roots you have created take too long to dry out, add some more charcoal and bark to the pot.
And vice versa, if the flower has little moisture (the air roots dry, the leaves shrink), the earth lacks sphagnum, coconut chips, and fern root.
When transplanting, it turned out that you had prepared too little bark? Add what is at home - shells from walnuts. Also, many flower growers use broken coconut (but this supplement already needs to be bought in specialized stores).
Fallen leaves of oak, birch, aspen, beech are a good addition, as well as a delicacy for epiphytes.
Small seedlings? Make a shallow substrate for them (cut the bark into centimeter by centimeter particles). For a mature plant, the pieces should be larger.

Do you want to experiment? How do you like the idea of \u200b\u200bgrowing an orchid without soil at all? Some growers let the roots grow in a container of water, or even dangling in the air. And the plants at the same time not only do not die, but also bloom! Of course, such experiments should not be used if your flower is the first and only one. But if you have already separated a lot of babies and got your hand in caring for them, why not give it a try?

But this capricious flower needs not only to be replanted, but also regularly watered, fed ... How to do it right, this video will tell you: