What is the substrate for orchids? Is it possible to make the right composition at home or is it better to take the finished product? Necessary components in the composition

Orchid is a plant with unusually beautiful flowers. Choosing an indoor plant in the store, the look will surely catch on to it and many are thinking about buying. Unfortunately, after a while, many orchids wither and wither - and all because they require special conditions of maintenance and care.

This plant can not be planted in ordinary soil, because its feature is the ability to accumulate moisture, and then give it away. It is necessary to take into account four components after buying an orchid: the correct soil, watering, lighting and humidity.

If you take a little time to study and choose the right soil for an orchid, and also water the plant at the right time, it will delight you with its beauty for a long time.

Orchid is considered the most beautiful and most unusual flower on our planet. To date, about a hundred wild and artificially bred orchid species are known. They grow in all climatic zones - from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.

Types of orchids are diverse:

• from small ones that are just one millimeter in size,
• to giant ones with flowers 90 cm in size.

They are found at very high altitudes, in oases of deserts, in forests, in hot countries and tropics, and even in marshy areas. It turns out that scientists are still discovering more and more types of orchids.

There was even a funny case when a new type of orchid was discovered in a flower shop, sellers among flowers accidentally discovered a specimen unknown to this science, it was named after the company supplying them with goods.

Orchids were admired in Ancient Greece, in the IV-III century BC. Today, scientists tirelessly study these amazing plants, there is even a science - orchidology. And there are really reasons to study them.

We found out that the flowers of some types of orchids, to attract the attention of male insects, change their appearance and become similar to their females and even emit a characteristic smell, which immediately disappears after pollination.

Flower tricks

It is known that different types of orchids are pollinated by their varieties of insects, so the plant goes to all kinds of tricks to lure the "pollinator" and continue its genus. And they cannot be denied ingenuity in any way.

1. Some arrange a kind of trap from the petals, getting out of which the insect will inevitably become covered with pollen. Sometimes, to get out of such a trap, the insect spends about an hour, and so that the “pollinator” nevertheless gets out, the plant shows the correct route with colored indicators, which leads to freedom.
2. Other orchids tend to surround insects with comfort; the shape of their flowers resembles a soft bed. There are those that simply - simply solder their "guests".

For example, the nectar of Dremlyugi bog - is the most common brew. Having tried nectar from two or three of these flowers, the insect is no longer able to fly and only crawls from one plant to another, transferring pollen.

• The flowers of a very bright large orchid, which resembles the head of a horned bull, spread a narcotic smell, having sniffed which the insect simply slides right into the pollen.
• And there are species of orchids that simply spit pollen, sticking it with a sticky substance for reliability, but most often they attract insects with delicious nectar, which is liked by the bulk of insects.

Thanks to the exquisite beauty, orchid flowers are in great demand, even a cut orchid is able to preserve beauty and aroma, for three months it’s perfume. For a long time, unsuccessfully, scientists tried to propagate orchids in a greenhouse, while Noelle Bernard, a breeder from France, tried to infect orchid seeds with a fungus.

The fungus first develops in the seeds, thereby helping the formation of the embryo, and the embryo, having gained strength, simply eats the mushroom.

Nowadays, the procedure for propagating various types of orchids is quite mastered, and it is not difficult to buy a plant grown from a nursery, however this exotic beauty will require a lot of attention and care.

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What soil is needed for orchids?

When buying an orchid in a store, we purchase phalaenopsis or cymbidium, which are bright representatives of elephite plants. And what is surprising, for the growth and vital activity of such a plant does not need soil as such.

In their homeland, they have to live in rather difficult conditions. Rainforests consist of trees with a very dense crown, and elephites are located directly on the trees themselves, to be as close as possible to the sun.

Braiding its roots around the trunk of the tree, the flower feeds on the remains of vegetation in the cracks of the bark and draws moisture from the environment, since the tropics have a very humid climate. That is why aerial roots for orchids are very important, they help to get food literally from the air.

But for home cultivation, the soil is still necessary, because we can’t provide the flower with the conditions that it is used to at home. Of course, it is best to purchase the right primer at the store. But if you want to cook it yourself, let's consider what soil composition can satisfy an overseas beauty.

Here are the components that are essential for soil preparation:

1. fern roots.

Main substrate

It is better to take pine bark as the main substrate, and ideally, the tree should die recently, then such a bark will have a low resinous content.

• The bark is crushed using a conventional meat grinder (without a knife and nozzles) and disinfected by boiling in a water bath for thirty minutes.
• Bark must be well dried before use.

It is worth noting that the bark has low hygroscopicity - over time, it accumulates excess moisture in itself, which can adversely affect the root system of the orchid. To prevent such a problem, large pieces can be placed in the center of the pot.

Depending on the type of orchid, the size of the bark may vary. If the plant needs a lot of air exchange, then the pieces should be at least two centimeters.

Peat should have a stable coarse fiber base and contain a small amount of salt. Ground peat is not recommended. Charcoal perfectly increases the pH of the soil and best regulates the water regime.

However, it also has a negative side - over time, it accumulates salt, which leads to a violation of the salt balance during irrigation. Therefore, you need to add charcoal very carefully. And if in the future you plan to often feed the plant - it is completely undesirable.

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Is it possible to plant an orchid in ordinary land

Those who decide to start growing orchids should first learn more about them. Contrary to popular belief, these flowers are not so difficult to care for, but they still have some features. Plants are not like ordinary flowers in pots, but if desired, can become indoor plants.

In the world there are more than 23 thousand species of orchids. There are species living on trees, rocks and land. Not many species are available for home breeding, however, these are not even natural orchids, but hybrids. But still, these hybrids were bred by crossing the most real flowers.

Breeders have tried to achieve when breeding a room orchid those properties that you can observe in plants now:

1. aroma
2. the size,
3. colour,
4. care conditions and much more.

Having decided to grow an orchid at home, you will get not just a beautiful flower, but also useful, not too whimsical to care for, especially if you know how to do it exactly.

The first rule when growing an orchid at home is not to plant it in ordinary soil.

This type of plant does not live in ordinary soil, the roots under the "press" of the gravity of the soil simply die. To grow a flower, get a soil that is as similar to the one in which the flowers grow. It should be light and retain moisture. When preparing the soil at home, it is worth following a few rules:

• if the room is dry, then the soil should consist of more moisture-consuming substances to a greater extent;
• after watering, the soil should remain moist for 4-5 days;
• soil for orchids should not be pressed.

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How to prepare the soil for orchids with your own hands?

Most self-assembled items cannot be used without special preparation and sanitization. All components must be washed, then processed thermally, crushed to the desired size, dried. In this form, they can be folded into linen bags for long-term storage. Parts of the substrate can be collected gradually, stored for a long time, and used as needed.

Knowing which soil is suitable for your orchids, it is easy to do it yourself. During experiments with various soil components for orchids, unnecessary components are gradually eliminated.

So, excess sphagnum moss leads to the accumulation of moisture and condensation in the pot. And therefore, if you use it, then a little. An exception may be a room with low humidity, in which water evaporates very quickly.

It is optimal to plant orchids with a substrate of pine bark with a small addition of foam balls. It is the pine bark that best suits this plant. It can be bought at a flower shop, but it is better not to be too lazy and assemble it yourself. Purchased bark should be left for some time in a well-heated oven to kill unwanted microflora.

In no case should you pick up bark from growing healthy trees. Only the bark that was collected from a dry dead tree is suitable. After the prepared bark is at your place, it needs to be boiled for about an hour so that the resin is boiled and the insects that live in it die.

Now the softened bark should be cut into large pieces and dried in an oven with a temperature of about 100 degrees. After that, you can safely plant the plant in a new substrate and expect grateful flowering.

• The composition of the mixture intended for planting an orchid depends on the size of the plant, and on the size of the container in which it is going to be placed.
• It is believed that small young plants necessarily require additional moisture-consuming components.
• In the case when the orchid grows in a basket or on a separate block, this is really so. But for adult specimens planted in pots, the presence of such materials in the substrate is not very important.

But there are exceptions. Among orchids, there are separate species that require heavier soil. For example, cymbidium, preferring moist soil. Soil can contain a variety of components, both natural and artificial. Each of these materials has its own characteristics, which must be taken into account when composing the mixture.

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Natural Soil Ingredients

Natural, that is, natural components include:

1. tree bark;
2. moss sphagnum;
3. fern roots;
4. lowland or high peat;
5. coconut substrate;
6. pine cones;
7. sheet earth.

Wood bark is harvested in the forest. It is best to take it from sawn or fallen pines. But it is also suitable for exfoliating from living trees, only it must be removed very carefully. The only requirement is that the material must be dry, not yet rotten.

The rotten bark contains many pathogenic bacteria that will bring nothing but harm to the roots of orchids.

Sphagnum moss is used as an antiseptic and moisture-consuming component that fills the selected container. It is necessary where there is a danger of dehydration - in nets, blocks and other devices that allow air to circulate freely.

• It is best to collect it in a swamp, where it is usually of the highest quality, but also forest one.
• Before use, all moss must be aired, crushed and slightly dried.
• In ordinary pots or containers with solid walls and drainage holes below the sphagnum can not be added.
• Just put a little on the top surface of the filler.

Some orchids feel good in one sphagnum, which, in fact, contains almost all the substances they need. But, in this case, special attention is required so as not to overdry them or pour.

The roots

Fern roots are also dug up in the forest. For this, the fern is removed from the soil, and its upper part is removed. The remaining roots are cleaned from the ground and washed with warm water. To make a mixture, they must be dried and cut so that the pieces do not exceed 2 cm.

Charcoal is used as a regulator of acidity and water content. But there is one serious drawback - over time, it, as an adsorbent, accumulates a large amount of salts and begins to change the salt balance of the entire mixture. Therefore, you should not add it too much, especially where regular feeding is required.

1. Coal must be thoroughly washed and dried before use. For use in mixtures, it is crushed into pieces of 0.5-1 cm. In this form, this material can either be added directly to the soil or sprinkled with the top layer of soil in a pot.
2. Peat is also a good store of moisture. The main requirements for it are a stable coarse fiber base and low salt content. Therefore, they try not to grind this component especially.
3. Pine cones collected in the forest must be cleaned of seeds and small debris. Then rinse and separate into separate scales. Prepared in this way, they are disinfected in boiling water for no more than 5-6 minutes, dried and used instead of bark or together with it. Fir cones with thin scales are not suitable for this purpose.
4. Leafy soil is sorted out, removing all sticks, twigs and dry leaves. Then it is poured into bags or buckets, like a regular garden. Add to the mixture for plants such as cymbidium, requiring a denser substrate.

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Orchid Bark

The main component of ready-made and home-made substrates for orchids is the tree bark. The material can be purchased in flower shops or lie yourself. Russian florists give preference to pine bark, but if you cannot find it nearby, any conifers, oak, beech and other trees will do.

Orchid bark is collected from sawn logs or dead wood. In this case, she:

• easily lags and can be processed;
• has less than fresh acidity;
• does not contain as many tarry substances as living trees.

When collecting pay attention to the quality of the material. It is better to take strong pieces of bark without signs of mold rot or mass damage by insects. In the composition of the substrate for orchids, the bark experiences significant stresses due to moisture and an expanding root system. Initially rotten, old pieces will quickly collapse, and the flower will soon need a transplant.

Rotten tree

Like any natural material, bark carries a potential danger to a houseplant. It may contain dangerous insects, bacteria and fungi.

Therefore, before sending to the flower pot the collected pieces of bark for the orchid:

1. cleaned of softened tissues, wood and resin;
2. subjected to heat treatment in the oven, for a couple or methods of digestion;
3. dry thoroughly.

Coniferous, and especially pine bark for orchids, increases the acidity of the soil, so to neutralize it is useful to add a little dolomite flour to the mixture. The size of the fragments is selected depending on the type of plant being grown. The finer the fraction, the:

• denser soil;
• less air penetrates into its thickness;
• moisture is better retained.

Before mixing the substrate, the bark is immersed in warm water for a couple of hours so that it is saturated with moisture, and the plant immediately enters a growth-friendly environment.

Sphagnum moss for orchids

Sphagnum moss common in Russia and other countries is appreciated by flower growers for their ability to:

• give the soil friability;
• retain water without compacting the soil for orchids;
• absorb surplus salts harmful to plants from irrigation water;
• have a bactericidal effect.

Specialized stores offer ready-made, already decontaminated and dried sphagnum for orchids, but if desired, moss can be prepared independently. And after collection, be sure to rinse, sort out, soak in boiling water, and then squeeze and dry well. The best time to gather is the pre-winter.

Some gardeners prefer to use live sphagnum or other moss, but here it is worth remembering the risk of the dispersal of insects and microorganisms, which in many cases remain in natural material.

Moss is included in the soil composition for orchids, and also apply:

1. as a mulching layer;
2. as an independent substrate for rooting daughter sockets;
3. for compacting plants on blocks and in baskets.

Sphagnum is indispensable for orchids requiring resuscitation due to decay or drying of the root system.

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Artificial soil components

As artificial soil components use:

• perlite;
• vermiculitis;
• expanded clay.

Perlite and vermiculite are good loosening materials. They have the ability to swell when they fall into the water. And then slowly return to their original size, returning the absorbed liquid along with the nutrients dissolved in it.

Expanded clay - the draining material. It quickly absorbs excess moisture accumulating at the bottom of the pot - for this it is poured there.

Epiphyte primer

For epiphytic orchids, the substrate, like the pot where it is placed, is needed not only for nutrition. Its main function is to maintain the plant in a position close to vertical. And only then it must retain moisture, without interfering with the penetration of air to the roots.

Therefore, such soil may not contain land at all and consist of:

1. mixture of bark
2. coal
3. various fibers
4. coarse sand
5. granular clay with the addition of loosening materials.

It is not necessary to use all components at once. For most epiphytes, a mixture of charcoal, bark, sphagnum and fern roots, which are taken in equal parts, is suitable.

But this is only for those plants that are supposed to be grown on blocks or in special mesh pots, where the air has free access to the roots. Sphagnum is necessary here - it not only helps to maintain water, but also serves as an indicator of the adequacy of irrigation.

The composition of charcoal and pine bark, taken in a ratio of 1: 5, is suitable for orchids growing in pots or a mini-greenhouse. It has a very low moisture capacity and increased air permeability.

A substrate consisting of one part of coal, two parts of sphagnum and five of pine bark has a higher ability to retain moisture. It is used for baskets and blocks located directly in the room.

Ground Orchid Soil

For orchids requiring enhanced nutrition, a mixture consisting of:

• coal
• pine bark - one part,
• sheet land - three parts.

For ground orchids, you can make soil using a ready-made substrate intended for epiphytes. Dry moss, actively retaining moisture, and garden soil are usually added to it.

If there is no ready soil, then first a little bark is poured into the pot, then coal. The next component is moss. And to increase fertility - peat. But you should not put it much - if the earth becomes too heavy, the roots can rot. All are thoroughly mixed, and expanded clay is poured into the bottom.

During plant growth, the substrate gradually decays under the influence of its root secretions. In addition, any soil always has its own microflora - bacteria and fungi that accelerate the decomposition of organics. Therefore, over time, the contents of the pot turn into dust.

Naturally, air exchange decreases significantly, which negatively affects the root system of orchids. Therefore, the condition of the soil needs constant monitoring. If any warning signs appear, the plant should be transplanted into a fresh substrate, or replaced directly in the pot.

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How to make a substrate with your own hands?

In order to make the composition with your own hands, first of all, you need to find out what substrate is required for a particular type of orchid and determine how it will be grown.

1. Mesh containers and blocks. Most epiphytes are suitable composition, which includes: pine bark (oak), sphagnum and charcoal in equal proportions.
2. Pots with drainage holes and bark containers. As a basis, bark mixed with charcoal is suitable for them. The top of the landing must be laid out with moss.

Let's consider in more detail how to prepare the soil for orchids with your own hands.

Depending on the substrate with which moisture capacity a particular type of plant is required, additional moisture-intensive components can be added to these compositions.

For example, to make the soil for the orchid with your own hands, you can use the following components:

1. epiphytic species: bark of pine (oak) - 3 parts; cork tree bark - 3 parts, peat - 1 part, moss - 1 part, expanded clay - 1 part;
2. terrestrial species: pine (oak) bark, peat - 1 part, moss - 1 part, expanded clay - 1 part, charcoal - 1 part.

Before planting, you need to add liquid fertilizer for orchids to the mixture in accordance with the instructions.

With independent harvesting of pine bark, you need to find a fallen dry tree or dead wood in the forest.

The bark on them should lag behind the trunk, but not rot.

You can not take bark from living pines, as it contains a large amount of resinous substances. It is not necessary to use too old trees for collection, since the bark on them turns into almost humus.

The best option for harvesting can be pine trees, which were cut not more than about a year ago. After harvesting, the bark must be properly prepared to formulate the substrate.

Check out interesting varieties of orchids:

• phalaenopsis;
• dwarf orchid;
• dendrobium nobile;
• dracula;
• cumbria
• cattleya;
• oncidium;
• wanda
• miltonia;
• papiopedilum;
• ludisia;
• cymbidium.

Let's consider in more detail how to prepare pine bark for orchids:

1. The material must be cleaned of debris and tar residues, too large pieces to break.
2. The bark needs to be boiled for twenty minutes, drain the water. After three days, the procedure must be repeated.
3. Immediately after the second boiling, the cooled moist bark is cut with a secateurs into squares of the desired size. For young orchids - 1 centimeter, for adults - 2 centimeters.
4. The finished material is carefully dried. Such bark, packed in paper or fabric bags, is stored for a very long time.
5. Instead of boiling, you can use steaming or calcination in the oven (about 70 degrees) for fifteen minutes.

Such treatment is required to destroy insects, their eggs and larvae, as well as to reduce the amount of resinous substances.
  Before preparing the substrate, the dry bark must be soaked in water for three hours, because the dry bark will not absorb moisture.

It’s okay if mold has formed on the material during storage. This is a natural process and the bark remains usable.

Orchid is not an ordinary plant for indoor breeding. Therefore, the soil for the orchid at home must be correctly selected so that it feels comfortable in your home and delights with its exotic colors.

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Laying soil in a flower container

When transplanting an orchid, it is necessary to consider in which pot it is better to plant it. For these purposes are suitable:

1. plastic clear pots
2. or clay, in both cases, the pots should have a hole in the bottom to remove moisture.

After preparing a suitable soil and choosing a pot, it is necessary to lay the soil layer by layer in a flower container. A drainage layer is put at the bottom, it can be expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite or polystyrene.

Next, the prepared soil mixture pot is filled to the middle. The next layer will again be drainage, and on it a layer of soil. At this stage, an orchid is planted in the ground. It is important not to tamp the soil, as the flower loves loose soil.

Thus, it is quite easy to independently prepare the soil for an orchid, the main thing is to combine the components in the correct proportions and select the appropriate substrate composition for a certain type.

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Where to plant an orchid

There are many ways to grow orchids: from seeds, shoots, bulbs or children. How to plant an orchid, you choose. The most laborious process is the seed planting method.

What do orchid seeds look like?

To get orchid seeds, you need to pollinate it yourself. Using tweezers or a brush, pollen is gently transferred from the flower of one plant to the flower of another.

Then the seed box will begin to form. After a while, the seeds in the box ripen and you can start sowing.

Orchid seeds are very small, looking like fine yellow dust and it is almost impossible to see them with the naked eye. But if you follow the technology of germination, then you can try to grow flowers from seeds at home.

Orchid from seeds at home

How to plant orchid seeds? First of all, they need to be sprouted.

For seed germination, it is necessary to create a special nutrient medium. It is made from solution

• agar agar
• glucose or fructose with distilled water.

You can use various hydrogels for orchids. Hot nutrient substrate is poured into sterile glass jars with lids and left for 5 days. If after this the substrate remains clean, without mold, seeds are planted in it.

1. Before germinating and planting an orchid with seeds, they need to be prepared. Before germination, the seeds must be disinfected in a pale pink solution of manganese or a weak solution of calcium hypochlorite for 10-15 minutes.
2. After that, the seeds are carefully pipetted into the substrate. All this is desirable to do over steam, in a water bath, to ensure disinfection.
3. Then the jar is tightly closed and left to germinate at t 18-25 C in a well-lit place.
4. Sowing seedlings in the soil is possible only a year after emergence. The seedlings are carefully washed from the substrate and transferred to the prepared soil, consisting of bark, moss and soddy soil.
5. They are kept under glass in a warm room, preventing the formation of condensate. After the appearance of the first leaves, the seedlings are moved to separate containers and taken care of as adult plants. Such an orchid will bloom only after 5-6 years.

Now that you know how to plant an orchid with seeds at home, we’ll look at other ways to plant an orchid at home.

How to plant a baby orchid?

How to plant an orchid with children at home? Planting orchids by children consists of several stages.

When children are planted, they are separated from the shoot immediately, without layering, and are simply rooted in the air, without soil.

To do this, take a plastic cup with drainage holes made in the bottom.

1. The first layer is laid drainage: small pebbles or pebbles. To the question: is drainage necessary for orchids? The answer is yes - yes, I need it. It is also important to care for a baby orchid after planting, which will be discussed below.
2. The second layer is wet moss. On a horizontal support at the top of the glass, the baby is installed so that it does not touch the moss. From above, all this is covered with another glass, a larger diameter with several vents. It is important to maintain high temperature and humidity. When the roots appear 5-6 cm long, the plant is planted in the ground.

You can put the baby right in the bark. To do this, take a glass container with a lid, on the bottom of which drainage is poured, then crushed pine bark.
  In the prepared and disinfected bark, a baby plantes, moss is laid out on top. Spraying is carried out daily. The container is covered and placed in a warm, well-lit place.

Planting orchids in a glass pot using bark is a common way to grow these plants. As well as planting orchid children at home, the process is becoming increasingly popular among gardeners.

Bulb orchid planting

And how to plant orchids with bulbs? In general, it is more convenient to plant sympodial (bush) orchids with bulbs.

It is important to understand how to plant an orchid bulb correctly. Such a bulb is planted in an ordinary dry substrate for orchids.

1. To root, she will need a plastic pot with holes in the bottom and walls.
2. Drainage is laid at the bottom of the tank, then soil and bark.
3. The bulb is not buried in the ground and watered until the appearance of these long roots.
4. Growing an orchid from a bulb takes about 1.5-3 years.

You can also plant a large plant with bulbs. In a well-grown orchid, the roots are carefully divided during transplantation. On each rhizome there should be 2-3 full false bulbs. After separation, each plant is placed separately and taken care of as usual.

How to plant an orchid sprout?

Some varieties of home orchids are monopodial (single stem) and are easily propagated by lateral stem processes, at the ends of which "babies" are formed.

These processes appear after the flowering of the plant. The peduncle is cut to half and a lateral process-baby grows from the remaining part. How to plant a sprig of orchids at home? Or rather, how to plant a sprig of an orchid, so that it takes root and does not dry out.

As the shoot grows, it is taken to a neighboring pot and laid on moist moss for rooting. From above, the baby should be tightly covered with a plastic glass. After the appearance of the roots, the baby is separated from the mother's shoot and the cut is treated with crushed charcoal or activated charcoal. Then the young plant is transplanted into the ground for further growth, without removing the shelter.

Be sure to provide the plant with good lighting and optimum temperature throughout the process.

You can also immediately separate the shoot and put it in warm water with a small amount of fertilizer. Waiting for the appearance of roots, the process is planted in the ground. This is the easiest way to plant orchid sprouts.

Where is it better to plant an orchid?

If the orchid is an epiphyte, then it can be planted on a block (block). For terrestrial orchids, it is better to use a substrate.

Landing on the block

As a block (block) for planting, you can use large pieces of pine bark, fern roots, small wide fragments of any trees except resinous species.

• Between the plant and the bar, lay a little moss and tie the resulting structure with a soft rope or thread. Since the roots dry out very quickly, the bar with the orchid is placed in a glass container with a lid. This will create a moist environment favorable for orchids.
• You can do without the use of capacity. To do this, the bar with the orchid is completely covered with moss and wrapped with synthetic mesh on top. To get rid of drying out of the roots, peat pressed blocks are often used as a bar, which also require tying with a mesh. Maintenance of such plants is simplified.

Most of all, this method of planting is suitable for small orchids with small roots. Orchids growing on the bars look very beautiful and original.

Landing in the substrate

This is the easiest way to land. You can use the prepared soil mixture for orchids, or you can make the soil yourself. To do this, take in equal proportions the pine bark and dry moss-sphagnum.

1. Before use, it is necessary to boil and dry the bark well. After that, moss can be mixed with crushed bark or lay in layers: below - bark, above - moss. This soil is ideal for epiphytes.
2. Another option: this is the soil for terrestrial orchids. Finely chopped fern roots and a mixture of turf and leafy soil should be added to the substrate from the bark and moss. Stack small pieces of moss on top. When landing at the bottom of the tank is placed drainage.

Drainage for orchids

Suitable for drainage

• river pebbles
• granite chips or small pieces of broken brick.

If the pot is located on special legs and does not rest on the surface, then drainage is less. When planting in a regular pot, 1/3 of the volume is filled with drainage.

A substrate is laid on top for drainage. Epiphytic orchids do not need drainage.

When planting land plants in pots - drainage is required. It prevents the accumulation of excess water and provides good air circulation at the roots.

Planting in a basket

This method of planting is the most optimal due to good air access and quick drainage of water after irrigation.

When planting in a basket, drainage is not used; instead, a wire mesh is laid at the bottom.

The material for such baskets can be any wood not subject to decay, for example, oak or pine. Orchids grow well in bamboo baskets.

The substrate for the baskets must have a high moisture capacity. Therefore, more moss or peat is added to it. All side openings are also covered with moss, to increase humidity.

Features of planting orchids in a pot

How to plant an orchid in a pot? First of all, you need to choose a pot. For planting, plastic or special ceramic pots for orchids with lateral drainage holes and coated inside with glaze are well suited.

In ordinary clay pots, the roots of the plant can stick to the walls and are severely damaged during transplantation.

1. In a plastic pot, it is necessary to make a lot of holes in the bottom and walls.
2. Drainage is necessarily laid at the bottom.
3. The volume of the pot should not be very large.
4. False bulbs leave room for the appearance of 2-3 new growths.
5. After planting, the area around the plant is covered with moss.

Features of planting orchids in a pot are shown in the video:

Is it obligatory to plant an orchid in a transparent pot?

Epiphytic plants whose roots are involved in the process of photosynthesis, for example, phalaenopsis, must be planted in a transparent pot. You can use glass or translucent plastic pots.

Glass pots are not suitable for terrestrial orchids, their roots will not have enough air. It is good to use pots made of transparent plastic to see the root system and to properly distribute fertilizers and watering.

How to plant an orchid without roots?

If for some reason the orchid is left without roots, you can try to save the plant. For this, it is necessary to remove all decayed or damaged areas and treat the sections with crushed coal diluted in water.

Then the orchid is placed in a container with warm clean water with the addition of a small amount of stimulating fertilizer. Water is changed daily, and the plant is dried. The temperature in the room should be above + 26-28C. Necessarily good lighting.

• Another way to grow new roots in an orchid is to wrap the bottom of the plant in moist moss and hold it together with soft thin twine. Moss should be moistened daily until the roots appear.
• Care and planting at home, as well as growing an orchid, takes a lot of time and effort, requires a lot of experience and deep knowledge. Each species of this plant needs an individual approach.
• It is important to follow all the rules of planting and care in order to grow a healthy and beautiful flower. Surround the orchid with love and care, and it will more than reward you for your labors with its unforgettable flowering.
• We hope that our article was useful to you and now you know how to plant orchid seeds, what is the sprout of an orchid and how to separate and plant it, and also understand what planting and caring for orchids is like at home.

As you know, replacing the soil for a flower is a kind of stress. For this reason orchid transplantation is done every 3 years with soil replacement  (read about when it is best to transplant an orchid at home, read, and you will find out whether it is possible to perform this procedure in the autumn). So during this period, the soil is greatly depleted, loses valuable properties:

• The balance of mineral salts is disturbed.
• The substrate ages and decomposes.
• The stock of micronutrients is running out.
• Breathability decreases.
• The level of acidity rises.

ATTENTION: Soil compaction leads to disruption of the drainage process, and stagnation of moisture can adversely affect the root system. For the full development of exotics, carry out a complete replacement of the substrate.

The general criteria for choosing a soil mixture for indoor orchids are the same. The soil should have the following qualities:

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

Epiphytic orchids include varieties:

• dendrobium;
• cattleya;
• lycasts;
• 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. Consequently, epiphytes do not need land, enough without a soil substrate. Mixtures have variations: 1 part of charcoal and 5 parts of bark. Or moss-sphagnum, ash and slivers of bark 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.

TIP: You can also prepare a substrate from the prepared soil for orchids, adding moss and part of the deciduous land.

Experienced growers unequivocally answer this question - no. The habitual habitat of orchids is loose, light soil. The root system should be free to blow air, to participate in the process of photosynthesis. And in the earth it will be compressed, as if under the weight of a stone. In such conditions, it is rather difficult to grow an exotic flower and most likely it will die.

Can ordinary land be used? Soil for exotic plants you can buy ready-made, cook it yourself or purchase individual components, and choose the proportions yourself. In garden shops, there is a considerable selection of various soil mixtures for orchids. 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. It is not necessary to collect all the ingredients of the substrate yourself, which are sold separately in specialized stores. Thus, the substrate is easy to assemble by yourself, mixing the components in the right quantities. Good production of natural material from the manufacturer "Auriki Gardens".

How to make a mixture yourself?

In order to save money, as well as for full confidence in quality, the soil is prepared individually. The basic composition of the substrate contains:

1. 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.
2. Moss sphagnum. Gather in the forests, in the lowlands, after a complete melting of snow. Moss has bactericidal properties. Use fresh and dry.
3. Fern rootsthat contain many useful substances. Add to the mixture dry.
4. charcoal  easy to find in the ashes. Ash is needed the same size as other components.
5. Expanded clay, inexpensive and lightweight material. Granules are great as drainage.

Use options for preparing the substrate with the addition of sand of large fractions, granular clay, cork material, perlite, polystyrene, sheet soil, peat, humus.

Watch a video about collecting materials for an orchid substrate:

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

Watch the video about the correct orchid transplant:

The cultivation of representatives of the orchid family of the house is significantly different from the classic breeding of houseplants. The main feature of tropical beauties is that they do not eat 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 are used for their growth.

  What are the main features of the plant?

The regal orchid beckons and bewitches with its unusual beauty. Gorgeous flowering clusters made her a favorite among indoor plants. 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 potted plants is that they, being epiphytes, have aerial roots and in the natural environment they feed not from the soil, but from the atmosphere and bark of the tree donor.

The cultivation of tropical beauties at home became possible after breeders breeding special hybrids, the bright representative of which is phalaenopsis. It has a wide color spectrum of color and unpretentious care. 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 nutrition.

Ready-made soils for orchids are widely represented in specialized outlets, they can be ordered via the Internet, but it’s better to do it yourself.

  What is the soil for orchids?

Successful plant growth directly depends on the quality of the soil. Soils for home gardening 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;
• do not be compressed, good air permeability.

Compliance with these classic rules allows you to have beautiful healthy flowers of all kinds 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 in a wet state for a long time - otherwise it will rot. The velamen coating replaces the earth with orchids, and this is their main difference from all other types of indoor flowers.

The root system of orchids transfers 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 orchid cultivation, however, it is not always possible to choose the soil for a particular type. 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, both natural and man-made.

Soil components:

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

Each material fulfills its role. 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 stress from moisture and sprawling 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 procure it yourself. The collection is made only from dead trees: sawn logs, fallen trees or dead wood. Pieces should be taken strong, without mold, traces of rot and massive damage by insects.   Acquired or collected bark must be processed as follows:

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

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

  Moss sphagnum and fern roots

Sphagnum bog moss 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 ready-made, pre-dried and disinfected. With self-preparation, the collected raw materials must be sorted, washed, filled with boiling water and dried out well dried. The best time to gather is late autumn.

Sphagnum is an ambulance for orchids dying from rotting or drying out roots.

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

  Technical materials

Florists are widely using technical materials to structure the soil. This is expanded clay, polystyrene, polystyrene and foam. Expanded clay drainage is indispensable when 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 of synthetic materials - polystyrene, polystyrene foam and foam very well show their properties in the composition of the soil for orchids. Their presence significantly reduces the risks of caking of the soil mixture and increases its breathability, in addition, they do not emit harmful substances and have long periods of use.

  Other soil components

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

In addition, peat and vermiculite can 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, so the classic version of the land for indoor flowers does not suit 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 air permeability and friability of the soil. The durability 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 selected correctly, the plant will delight with its flowering for a long time.

Example No. 1:

• pine bark - 5 parts;
• charcoal - 1 part.

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

Example No. 2:

• pine bark - 5 parts;
• moss sphagnum - 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 the requirements. With independent preparation of the soil, a good guideline is the ingredients of the soil in which the orchid was sold.

  Which flower pots are better?

Typically, the choice of pot for indoor flower is determined by the size of the plant and the preferences of the grower. Orchids 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 approximated.   The main role in solving this problem belongs to the capacity, which should provide:

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

Of great importance is the material from which the pot is made. This is clay or plastic. Glass is undesirable.   There are several parameters that a flower container for orchids must match:

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

  Clay pot

Clay is a natural material. A pot made of it allows air and moisture to pass through well. It is heavy and provides the plant with a stable position.

Clay container is good to use for orchids that love coolness, whose roots do not participate in the process of photosynthesis. The main disadvantage is the possibility of root growth to the walls, as during the transplant they will be damaged. Another disadvantage is the rapid drying of the substrate.

  Plastic pot

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

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 a soft material, which greatly facilitates the transplantation of orchids in case of root sprouting 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 drawback of plastic containers is their ease. The flower in such a container is very unstable, it can fall from the windowsill, receive serious damage and even die. To avoid this situation, it is recommended to use a spectacular flower pot, which will emphasize the beauty of the plant and protect it.

  Planters or baskets

Orchids can be grown in baskets or wicker planters. They use different materials: wood, bamboo, plastic or metal mesh. They are very aesthetic and serve as interior decoration.

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

  Planting and replanting orchids

It is necessary to plant an orchid before the start of a period of active growth (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 or polystyrene. Then the root system of the flower is distributed and moistened soil is added. The largest pieces of bark are laid down, then smaller ones. The leaf outlet is tightly placed in the container and is not allowed to swing. Then it should be watered, kept in a shaded place for up to four weeks and exposed to the sun.

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

With the right transplant, as a result of which the root system has not been affected, the culture will be able to bloom this year.

Beautiful orchids are unique plants that are very different from traditional indoor flowers. In ordinary soil, they “refuse” to grow, because they select special mixtures and substrates for them.

Soil for phalaenopsis orchids

In epiphytic plants, which include most types of phalaenopsis, the roots perform a variety of functions. And this is not only the absorption of nutrients and moisture, but also the attachment to substrates, as well as participation along with orchid leaves in the process of photosynthesis.

ON A NOTE! Capacities in which phalaenopsis grow must be transparent.

The roots are basic and subordinate (air). In orchids, the roots are covered with a special substance - velamen. At the heart of velamen are dead cells and air, which are a kind of “sponge”. Thanks to this coating, the root system of phelanopsis can accumulate moisture, which is consumed during periods of drought. That is why orchid roots cannot be found in a wet state for a long time, they without fail require air and drying.

It is difficult to create such conditions with ordinary earthen mixtures, therefore, soils with high air permeability, loose, are used for orchids. The components for them can be selected different, the main thing is that they all meet certain requirements.

What is the best soil for phalaenopsis orchids

Even experienced flower growers, when they first encounter orchid cultivation, often make mistakes precisely when preparing the soil. Even the highest quality earth mixtures are not suitable for these plants, but special compositions are needed.

The soil requirements for growing phalaenopsis are as follows:

• it should not contain garden land;
• the soil should have a loose structure with excellent transmittance;
• the plant should be located in the ground freely, at the same time firmly held in an upright position.

In nature, most phalaenopsis grows on the trunks of tropical trees, receiving nutrients from the air through aerial roots. For successful cultivation in urban apartments, orchids need to provide the appropriate conditions and, above all, prepare high-quality soil.

Soil composition for Phalaenopsis orchids

The main soil components for beautiful orchids include:

• tree bark;
• regular coal obtained by burning wood;
• moss sphagnum.

Let's consider each of them in more detail.

For the base of the phalaenopsis substrate, bark of pine, larch, and birch is suitable. Oak bark is considered one of the best, as it contains many nutrients that are useful and necessary for the successful growth of orchids. In this soil, you can reduce the number of fertilizer phalaenopsis.

You can buy bark in specialized flower shops, it is also quite possible to procure it yourself. Use bark only from fallen trees, while the material should be clean, without wood-boring insects.

IMPORTANT! Do not use bark from rotten and diseased trees.

After collecting the bark, it must be cleaned of resinous substances, and then boiled. Usually, this procedure is recommended to be carried out twice, and then dried and used for composing the soil.

Moss is also harvested in the forest, while it is advisable to use sphagnum for orchid cultivation. This white-greenish peat moss absorbs all excess moisture and also provides the plant with nutrition. Sphagnum has a bactericidal effect, creates a sterile environment, protects the roots of plants from infections, pests, which is very important for phalaenopsis.

Charcoal  - It is an excellent absorbent, as well as an antiseptic. To get it, just burn a few logs of birch.

ON A NOTE! It is impossible to use coal from bonfires, as foreign objects (paper, plastic) can get there. Such coal is not suitable for substrates.

One of the “classic” soil components for orchid plants is the roots of a plant like fern. They also have a lot of nutrients, besides this, they are durable and very moisture-resistant. For phalaenopsis, which are always hard enough to tolerate any transplant, it is advisable to always add fern roots to the substrate.

In addition to the main components, add to the substrates for phalaenopsis:

• various moisture-consuming materials (pieces of foam rubber, vermiculite, perlite);
• polystyrene (in granules, as well as in plates);
• expanded clay;
• fallen foliage;
• sand;
• peat.

Sometimes gardeners add walnut shells, small pine cones, turfy earth, terracotta clay. Some materials are purchased in stores, others are procured independently.

So, you can buy peat, you can take the upper layers of peat in the forest swamps. Typically, a small amount of dolomite flour is added to such mixtures to neutralize the acidity of the mixture.

Suitable additives for substrates are birch, aspen, and beech leaves. An excellent addition to the substrate is the foliage of oak trees. The leaves of beech and oak provide in the substrate structure the creation of microflora that is comfortable for the root system of phalaenopsis.

Elements such as perlite or vermiculite are added as baking powder, but with the help of expanded clay and polystyrene, they arrange drainage in pots.

ON A NOTE! Expanded clay may contain lime, dolomite. With prolonged interaction with water, these elements lead to salting of the substrate. And this is also the reason for replacing the old substrate with a new one after a certain period of use.

Many growers use coconut chips and coconut chips for the preparation of substrates. These materials are characterized by high moisture capacity, inertness. The crumbs are added to the substrate in an amount of not more than 10-15%, chips usually make up to 50% of the mixture.

Variants of compositions, given the variety of components, can be very different. You can take some kind of mixture as a basis, and therefore, after observing the plants, adjust the additives.

A substrate based on the bark (5 parts), sphagnum (2 parts), with the addition of a small amount of charcoal and leaves, is common.

For phalaenopsis, the following composition is also suitable:

• turf land;
• sphagnum;
• peat (upper layers);
• pine needles;
• polystyrene (granules).

The components are mixed, and expanded clay is used in pieces for the drainage layer.

All materials are processed before use. Cooked dry bark is soaked for three to four hours in water, moss is also soaked for a day in water.

ON A NOTE! To equip the drainage layer, fine gravel is used, nutshells, pieces of broken brick.

If sand is used for the substrate (it is desirable to take white river or quartz), then it is also boiled for 10 minutes. Many gardeners experiment, composing their substrates, while focusing on the state of orchids. An indicator that the soil for phalaenopsis is chosen correctly will be a beautiful view of plants and, of course, regular flowering.

Soil selection rules

Nowadays, primers for orchids can always be purchased in specialized stores. The substrates are offered both Russian and foreign production, but in all cases it is necessary to carefully study the description of the compositions.

The soil should be loose, high-quality, so if a hardened piece in a package is offered, it is better to refuse it.

The packaging should contain a detailed description of the composition listing all components. A note is also mandatory that this substrate is intended for epiphytic orchids.

The composition should not contain dust, moldy pieces. The basis of the substrates is crushed bark (2-3 cm in size), charcoal, fiber, fern roots. If there are still many small fragments in the finished soil, it is recommended to carefully sift the composition through a large sieve.

Soil preparation rules

It has already been noted above that phalaenopsis react very sensitively to humidity, so the soil for them should dry out in 2-3 days. Dense soils are not allowed, as orchid roots will not receive the air they need in large quantities.

In addition, in such compositions, the roots of the phalaenopsis very quickly begin to rot, the plant becomes sick, and then completely dies.

You can add some specific components to the finished store substrates, taking into account the general conditions for the maintenance of colors (humidity, temperature).

When preparing the soil for plants with your own hands, as well as using some components to add to the finished compounds, you need to remember the main thing: all materials must be washed, dried (some are boiled or poured with hot water), crushed to the required size. For storage, they are dried, stored in dry rooms in special fabric bags or bags. Before use, the necessary components are soaked in water.

DIY substrate for Phalaenopsis orchids

Phalaenopsis is not such a whimsical and capricious orchids, it is no coincidence that they are most often grown in apartments. But this does not mean that any soil is suitable for them. What compounds can you make yourself?

1. Take charcoal and oak bark (proportion 1: 5), mix. Such soil is suitable for phalaenopsis growing in flowerpots. "Plus" composition: does not accumulate destructive moisture for this type of orchid, provides excellent air circulation.
2. Another common composition: tree bark, white sphagnum moss, charcoal birch charcoal (ratio 5: 2: 1). Such soil is used in pots, a variety of baskets, blocks.
3. In rooms with higher humidity indicators, another substrate is used: bark (preferably pine or larch), polystyrene, cork tree bark (proportion 4: 3: 2).
4. Sometimes they make up the soil for phalaenopsis only from pebbles, expanded clay (like drainage) and gravel. But such a composition is good only for the summer period, since in winter the roots of the orchid can be cool. Therefore, it is still desirable to add crushed bark to such a substrate.
5. When growing phalaenopsis on a block (for example, a piece of bark), a small amount of moss is also used, which is fixed to the block. Then gently attach the plant, cover its roots with moss, fix and the composition is ready. Usually on such blocks orchids grow leaves down or to the side, that is, exactly the same as in natural conditions.

Instead of bark, for the block (especially young phalaenopsis) it is convenient to use foam sheets.

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

Having shoveled a lot of forums, I figured out what was the matter - it is better to mix the earth on my own (and not to listen to friends who grow only petunia and pelargonium, but not orchids). Do not repeat my mistakes! So that after the transplant, the orchid feels good, we definitely need ...

Since the orchid is an epiphyte, that is, a plant that clings its roots to the bark of trees 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 (the pine bark also fits well). True, you don’t need to cut it in a large piece - on the contrary, flower growers advise chopping the bark into small (with a coin) pieces.

You can buy it, but it’s cheaper to collect it, having climbed out into the woods for barbecue or for a walk (it doesn’t matter if it is winter or summer).

It is right to do so:

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

Sometimes pine cones are used instead of bark. This landing option is considered more experimental, but it has already proven itself ... And it’s 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 gentle roots of the flower to breathe.

Charcoal

If you grow a phalaenopsis orchid, mix a lot of bark, a bit of coal, just a little bit of moss, and you’ll already get the finished mixture.

Where to get coal? You can grab a little from the fire after burning a tree (ideally, birch trees). The main thing is that the bonfire should not be lit with combustible mixtures.

Some color lovers add activated charcoal to the substrate for orchids.

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

He perfectly absorbs water. 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 you can pick it up in a forest or in a meadow (yes, it does not necessarily grow in swamps, it can also be found in lowlands or in moist glades). It is better to collect moss in the 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, this component of the soil is also loved by other flowers: anthurium, senpolia.

Fern roots

The option is not for every flower. Like terrestrial epiphytes (say, cymbidium, but not phalaenopsis).

These roots have strong nutritional properties, so adding them is worth a little.

They can be dug in the forest. This should be done 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 store for flower growers, it turns out that modern science has created many artificial analogues of soils that your pet may like. And to buy them really for mere pennies. But is it worth it?

What you will be offered:

• styrofoam,
• foam rubber
• mineral wool
• gravel,
• perlite (white pebbles),
• vermiculite (small pebbles of gray color),
• hydrogel (yes, the same color),
• expanded clay.

Their advantages: high hygroscopicity, lack of reaction to top dressing, easy cleaning of heavy salts, which eventually accumulate in a pot of water (all these stones just need to be washed). All these substances can be used both as the soil itself, and as an additive to the already mentioned bark.

Their cons: during the first use (especially if you have been working on orchids recently), you can fill your hand for a very long time regarding watering, which may cause the flower to suffer.

Why you should not use expanded clay

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

It is not difficult to understand why flower growers are so fond of this material: it is porous, lightweight, cheap, sold in many places, eco-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 all the “good” that is in our tap water, namely, salts of heavy metals. Pick up, and then in large quantities give dangerous salts to the roots of the flower. This slows the growth of the plant, interferes with flowering.

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

Purchased primers for orchids

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

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

Of course, there are good products. But it is better to buy them for experienced people who know exactly what the flower needs.

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

And the last

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

• If you often do not have time (forget or are traveling) to water your pet on time, add more moisture-absorbing components (the same moss) to the soil. They will actively absorb moisture when watering, and then give it away for a long time.
• If epiphyte phalaenopsis (as well as other species growing on trees, which in our stores 90% of the entire range of products are presented) will taste the bark, then cymbidium and papiopedilum are terrestrial inhabitants, which means they will not refuse humus and leaf litter, as well as peat. The soil for these flowers can be made on the basis of earth for ferns.
• If your soil has dried up for too long, add a little more coal and bark to the pot.
• And vice versa, if the flower has little moisture (the air roots dry, the leaves are clumped), the ground lacks sphagnum, coconut chips, fern root.
• When transplanting, it turned out that you prepared too little bark? Add what is at home - shells from walnuts. Also, many flower growers use beaten coconut (but this supplement must already be bought in specialized stores).
• Fallen leaves of oak, birch, aspen, beech are a good supplement, as well as a treat for epiphytes.
• Small seedlings? Make a small substrate for them (cut the bark into particles measuring centimeter per centimeter). For a mature plant, the pieces should be larger.

• Want to experiment? How do you like the idea of \u200b\u200bgrowing an orchid without any soil at all? Some gardeners allow roots to grow in a container of water, or even hang out 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. But if you have already separated a lot of children and filled your hand in caring for them, why not try it?

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