What does the substrate for orchids consist of? Is it possible to make the correct composition at home or is it better to take the finished product? Required components in the composition

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

It is impossible to plant this plant in ordinary soil, because its peculiarity lies in the ability to accumulate moisture, and then give it away. There are four things to consider after buying an orchid: proper 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 species of orchids are known. They grow in all climatic zones - from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.

The types of orchids are varied:

from small ones, the size of which is only one millimeter,
up to giant ones with flowers measuring 90 cm.

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

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

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

They found out that the flowers of some types of orchids, in order to attract the attention of male insects, change their external resemblance and become similar to their females and even emit a characteristic odor, which immediately disappears after pollination.

Flower tricks

It is known that different types orchids are pollinated by their own insect species, so the plant goes to all sorts of tricks to lure the "pollinator" and continue its kind. And they can’t be denied their ingenuity.

Some arrange a kind of trap from the petals, getting out of which the insect will inevitably be covered with pollen. Sometimes, to get out of such a trap, the insect spends about an hour, and in order for the "pollinator" to get out, the plant shows the correct route with colored pointers, which leads to freedom.
Other orchids strive to surround insects with comfort, the shape of their flowers resembles a soft bed. There are those who simply - simply solder their "guests".

For example, the nectar of Dremlyuga marsh is the most common mash. Having tasted nectar from two or three such flowers, the insect is no longer able to fly and only crawls from one plant to another, transferring pollen at the same time.

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

Due to its exquisite beauty, orchid flowers are in great demand, even when cut, the orchid is able to retain its beauty and aroma for up to three months. For a long time unsuccessfully, scientists tried to propagate orchids in a greenhouse until French breeder Noel Bernard 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 gotten stronger, simply eats the mushroom.

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

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What kind of soil do orchids need?

When we buy an orchid in a store, we buy phalaenopsis or cymbidium, which are prominent representatives of elephite plants. And surprisingly, such a plant does not need soil as such for growth and life.

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

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

But for home cultivation the soil is still necessary, because we cannot provide the flower with the conditions to which it is accustomed at home. Of course, it is best to purchase the desired primer in the store. But if you want to cook it yourself, let's consider what composition of the soil can satisfy the overseas beauty.

These are the components that are essential for preparing the soil:

fern roots.

Main substrate

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

The bark is crushed using a conventional meat grinder (without a knife and attachments) and disinfected by boiling in a water bath for thirty minutes.
Dry the bark well before use.

It is worth noting that the bark has a low hygroscopicity - over time it accumulates excess moisture, which can negatively affect the root system of the orchid. To prevent this problem, you can put the bark in large pieces in the center of the pot.

Depending on the type of orchid, the size of the bark can 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. It is not recommended to use crushed peat. Charcoal is excellent at raising the pH of the soil and is the best in regulating the water regime.

However, it also has a negative side - over time, it accumulates salt, which leads to an imbalance in the salt balance during watering. Therefore, 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 soil

Those who decide to start growing orchids should first find out more about them. Contrary to popular belief, these flowers are not so difficult to care for, but they still have some features. Plants do not look like ordinary potted flowers, but they can become houseplants if desired.

There are more than 23 thousand species of orchids in the world. There are species that live on trees, rocks, and the ground. 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 the properties that you can observe in plants now when breeding a room orchid:

aroma,
the size,
color,
conditions of care and much more.

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

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

This type of plant does not live in ordinary soil, the roots will simply die under the "pressure" of the gravity of the soil. To grow a flower, purchase a soil that is as similar as possible to the one in which the flowers grow. It should be lightweight and moisture-retaining. When preparing soil at home, you should follow several rules:

if the room is dry, then the soil should consist of moisture-absorbing substances to a greater extent;
after watering, the soil should remain moist for 4-5 days;
orchid soil should not be compressed.

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How to prepare soil for orchids with your own hands?

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

Knowing what kind of soil is right for your orchids, it is not difficult to make it yourself. In the process of experimenting with various components of the soil for orchids, unnecessary components are gradually eliminated.

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

Planting orchids with pine bark substrate with a small addition of foam balls is optimal. It is the pine bark the best way suitable for this plant. You can buy it at a flower shop, but it's better not to be lazy and assemble it yourself. Purchased bark should be left in a well-heated oven for a while to kill unwanted microflora.

In no case should you collect bark from growing healthy trees. Only the bark that is harvested from a dry, dead tree is suitable. After the harvested bark is at your home, it needs to be boiled for about an hour in order for the resin to boil down and the insects that lived in it die.

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

The composition of the mixture intended for planting an orchid depends both 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 indeed the case. But for adult specimens planted in pots, the presence of such materials in the substrate is not very important.

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

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Natural constituents of the soil

Natural, that is, natural ingredients include:

bark;
sphagnum moss;
fern roots;
low-lying or high-moor peat;
coconut substrate;
Pine cones;
leafy ground.

The bark is collected from the forest. It is best to take it from cut or fallen pine trees. But peeling from living trees is also suitable, only it must be removed very carefully. The only requirement is that the material must be dry, not yet rotted.

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

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

It is best to collect it in a swamp, where it is usually of the highest quality, but forestry will also work.
Before use, all the moss must be ventilated, crushed and slightly dried.
You don't need to add sphagnum to ordinary pots or containers with solid walls and drainage holes at the bottom.
It is enough just to put a little on the top surface of the filler.

Some orchids do well in sphagnum alone, which, in fact, contains almost all the substances they need. But, in this case, it is required Special attention so as not to dry them out or flood them.

Roots

Fern roots are also dug up in the forest. To do this, the fern is removed from the soil, and its upper part is removed. The remaining roots are cleaned of soil and washed with warm water. To prepare 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, like an adsorbent, it accumulates a large amount of salts and begins to change the salt balance of the entire mixture. Therefore, you should not add too much of it, especially where regular feeding is required.

Before use, the charcoal must be thoroughly rinsed and dried. 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.
Peat is also a good moisture storage. The main requirements for it are a stable coarse fiber base and a low salt content. Therefore, they try not to grind this component especially.
Pine cones collected in the forest must be cleared of seeds and small debris. Then rinse and separate into individual scales. Prepared in this way, they are disinfected in boiling water for no more than 5 - 6 minutes, dried and used instead of or in conjunction with bark. Spruce cones with thin scales are not suitable for this purpose.
The leafy ground is sorted out, removing all sticks, twigs and dry leaves. Then they are poured into bags or buckets, like a regular garden one. It is added to mixtures for plants such as cymbidium, requiring a denser substrate.

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Orchid bark

The main component of ready-made and homemade orchid substrates is tree bark. The material can be purchased at flower shops or you can lie with your own hands. Russian flower growers prefer pine bark, but if it is not possible to find it nearby, any conifers, oak, beech and other trees will do.

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

easily falls behind and lends itself to processing;
has less acidity than fresh;
does not contain as many resinous substances as on living trees.

When collecting, attention is paid to the quality of the material. It is better to take strong pieces of bark without signs of mold, rotting or massive insect damage. In the composition of the substrate for orchids, the bark is under significant stress due to the effects of moisture and an expanding root system. Initially rotten, the old pieces will quickly disintegrate, and the flower will soon need a transplant.

Rotten tree

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

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

cleaned from softened fabrics, wood and resin;
subjected to heat treatment in the oven, by steam or by digestion methods;
dry thoroughly.

Coniferous, and especially pine bark for orchids, increases the acidity of the soil, therefore, to neutralize it, 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 smaller the fraction, the:

denser soil;
less air penetrates into its thickness;
better moisture retention.

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

Sphagnum moss for orchids

Sphagnum marsh moss, widespread in Russia and other countries, is valued by flower growers for its ability to:

give the soil looseness;
retain water without compacting orchid soil;
absorb excess salts harmful to plants from irrigation water;
have a bactericidal effect.

Specialized stores offer ready-made, already disinfected and dried sphagnum for orchids, but if you wish, you can prepare the moss yourself. And after collection, be sure to rinse, sort out, soak in boiling water, and then squeeze and dry well. The best time to harvest is before winter.

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

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

as a mulching layer;
as an independent substrate for the rooting of daughter outlets;
for compacting plants on blocks and in baskets.

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

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Artificial soil components

The following are used as artificial soil components:

perlite;
vermiculite;
expanded clay.

Perlite and vermiculite are good loosening materials. They have the ability to swell when immersed in water. And then slowly return to its original size, releasing the absorbed liquid along with the nutrients dissolved in it.

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

Soil for epiphytes

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

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

bark mixtures,
coal,
various fibers,
coarse sand
granular clay with the addition of loosening materials.

It is not necessary to use all the 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 air has free access to the roots. Sphagnum is absolutely necessary here - it not only helps to conserve water, but also serves as an indicator of the adequacy of irrigation.

Composition of charcoal and pine bark, taken in a ratio of 1: 5, suitable for orchids growing in pots or mini-greenhouses. It has a very low moisture holding capacity and increased breathability.

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

Soil for terrestrial orchids

For orchids that require increased nutrition, a mixture consisting of:

coal,
pine bark - one piece at a time,
leafy land - three parts.

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

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

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

Naturally, air exchange is significantly reduced, which has a negative effect on 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 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 decide on how it will be grown.

Mesh containers and blocks. For most epiphytes, a composition is suitable, which includes: pine (oak) bark, sphagnum and charcoal in equal proportions.
Drainage pots and bark containers. Bark mixed with charcoal is suitable as a basis for them. The top of the planting must be laid out with moss.

Let's take a closer look at how to prepare soil for orchids with our own hands.

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

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

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

At self-preparation 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 cannot take bark from live pines, as it contains a large amount of resinous substances. It is not necessary to use too old trees for harvesting, since the bark on them turns almost into humus.

The best option for harvesting can be pine trees, which were cut down no more than about a year ago.... Once harvested, the bark must be properly prepared to form the substrate.

Check out the interesting varieties of orchids:

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

Let's take a closer look at how to prepare pine bark for orchids:

The material must be cleaned of debris and resin residues, break too large pieces.
Boil the bark for twenty minutes, drain the water. After three days, the procedure must be repeated.
Immediately after the second boil, the cooled, moist bark is cut into squares with a secateurs the right size... For young orchids - 1 centimeter, for adult specimens - 2 centimeters.
The finished material is thoroughly dried. Such bark, packed in paper or cloth bags, can be stored for a very long time.
Instead of boiling, you can use steam or baking in the oven (about 70 degrees) for fifteen minutes.

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

There is nothing to worry about if mold forms on the material during storage. This is a natural process and the bark remains usable.

The orchid is not quite a common indoor plant. Therefore, the soil for the orchid at home must be chosen correctly so that it feels comfortable in your home and pleases with its exotic flowers.

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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. Suitable for these purposes:

plastic transparent pots
or earthenware, in both cases the pots must have a hole in the bottom to drain moisture.

After cooking suitable soil and the choice of a pot, it is necessary to lay the soil layer by layer in a container for a flower. A drainage layer is placed on the bottom, it can be expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite or polystyrene.

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

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

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Where to plant an orchid

There are many ways to grow an orchid: from seeds, shoots, bulbs or babies. 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.

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

Orchid seeds are very small, similar to fine yellow dust and are almost impossible to see with the naked eye. But if you follow the germination technology, 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 must be germinated.

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

agar-agar,
glucose or fructose with distilled water.

A variety of orchid hydrogels can be used. The hot nutrient medium is poured into sterile glass jars with lids and left for 5 days. If after that the substrate remains clean, without mold, seeds are planted in it.

Before germinating and planting an orchid with seeds, you need to prepare them. 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.
Then, with a pipette, carefully move the seeds into the substrate. All this should be done over steam, in a water bath, to ensure disinfection.
Then the jar is tightly closed and left for germination at t 18-25 C in a well-lit place.
It is possible to sow seedlings in the ground only a year after the emergence of seedlings. Seedlings are carefully washed out of the substrate and transferred to prepared soil, consisting of bark, moss and turf.
They are kept under glass, in a warm room, preventing the formation of condensation. After the appearance of the first leaves, the seedlings are moved into separate containers and looked after as if they were adult plants. Such an orchid will bloom only in 5-6 years.

Now that you know how to plant an orchid with seeds at home, let's look at other ways to plant an orchid at home.

How to plant an orchid baby?

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

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

For this, a plastic cup is taken with drainage holes made in the bottom.

The first layer is the drainage: small pebbles or pebbles. To the question: is drainage necessary for orchids? The answer is unequivocal - yes, it is needed. It is also important to care for the orchid baby after planting, which will be discussed below.
The second layer is wet moss. A baby is placed on a horizontal support in the upper part of the glass so that it does not touch the moss. From above, all this is covered with another glass, of a larger diameter with several ventilation holes. It is important to maintain high temperature and humidity. When 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.
A baby is planted in the prepared and disinfected bark, moss is laid out on top. Spraying is carried out daily. The container is covered with a lid and placed in a warm, well-lit place.

Planting an orchid in a glass pot using bark is a common way of growing these plants. As well as planting orchid babies at home, the process is becoming increasingly popular among flower growers.

Planting an orchid with a bulb

How to plant orchids with bulbs? In general, sympodial (bush) orchids are more convenient to plant with bulbs.

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

For rooting, she will need a plastic pot with holes in the bottom and sides.
Drainage is laid at the bottom of the container, then soil and bark.
The bulb is not buried in the ground or watered until true long roots appear.
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 separated during transplantation. Each rhizome should have 2-3 full-fledged false bulbs. After separation, each plant is housed separately and cared for as usual.

How to plant an orchid with a scion?

Some varieties of domestic orchids are monopodial (one stem) and easily propagate by lateral stem processes, at the ends of which "babies" are formed.

These shoots appear after the end of the flowering of the plant. The peduncle is cut to half and a lateral process-baby grows from the remaining part of it. How to plant an orchid shoot at home? More precisely, how to properly plant an orchid shoot so that it takes root and does not dry out.

As the shoot grows back, it is taken to a nearby pot and placed on wet moss for rooting. From above, the baby must be tightly covered with a plastic glass. After the roots appear, the baby is separated from the mother's shoot and the cut site is treated with crushed charcoal or activated carbon. Later young plant transplanted into the ground for further growth, without removing the shelter.

It is imperative to provide the plant with good lighting and optimal temperature throughout the entire process.

You can also separate the scion immediately and place it in warm water with a little fertilizer. After waiting for the roots to appear, the process is planted in the ground. This is the easiest way to plant orchid shoots.

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 best to use a substrate.

Block landing

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

A little moss is placed between the plant and the bar and the resulting structure is tied with a soft rope or thread. Since the roots dry out very quickly at the same time, the bar with the orchid is placed in a glass container with a lid. This will create a humid environment for the orchid.
You can do without using a container. To do this, a bar with an orchid is completely covered with moss and wrapped on top with a synthetic mesh. To get rid of drying out of the roots, peat pressed blocks are often used as a bar, which also require tying with a net. Caring for such plants is simplified.

This planting method is most suitable for small orchids with small roots. Orchids growing on bars look very beautiful and original.

Planting in a substrate

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

Be sure to boil and dry the bark well before use. Then the moss can be mixed with crushed bark or laid in layers: below - bark, above - moss. This soil is ideal for epiphytes.
Another option is soil for terrestrial orchids. Finely chopped fern roots and a mixture of sod and leafy soil should be added to the bark and moss substrate. Small pieces of moss are laid on top. When landing, a drain is placed on the bottom of the container.

Drainage for orchids

Good 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 bottom of the surface, then less drainage is used. When planting in a regular pot, 1/3 of the volume is filled with drainage.

A substrate is laid out on top of the drainage. Epiphytic orchids do not need drainage.

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

Planting in a basket

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

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

The material for such baskets can be any wood that is 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 content. Therefore, more moss or peat is added to it. All side holes are also covered with moss to increase humidity.

Features of planting orchids in a pot

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

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

In a plastic pot, you need to make a lot of holes in the bottom and walls.
Drainage must be laid at the bottom.
The volume of the pot should not be very large.
In front of the false bulbs, leave room for the appearance of 2-3 new growths.
After planting, the space around the plant is covered with moss.

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

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

It is necessary to plant epiphytic plants in a transparent pot, the roots of which are involved in the process of photosynthesis, for example, phalaenopsis. Glass or translucent plastic pots can be used.

For terrestrial orchids, glass pots will not work, the roots will not have enough air in them. It is good to use clear plastic pots so you can see the root system and properly distribute fertilizer 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. To do this, it is necessary to remove all rotten or damaged areas and process 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. The water is changed daily, and the plant is dried. The room temperature should be above + 26-28C. Good lighting is a must.

Another way to grow new roots in an orchid is to wrap the bottom of the plant in moist moss and fasten it with a soft, thin string. Moss must be moistened daily until roots appear.
Caring for 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 type 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 efforts with its unforgettable bloom.
We hope that our article was useful to you and you now know how to plant orchid seeds, what an orchid shoot is and how to separate and plant it, and you also understand what planting and caring for orchids at home is.

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

The balance of mineral salts is disturbed.
The substrate ages and decomposes.
The supply of micronutrients is running out.
Air permeability decreases.
The acidity level rises.

ATTENTION: Compaction of the soil leads to a violation 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 the selection of potting soil for indoor orchids the same... The soil must 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 a growing environment. Accordingly, the plant substrate has a number of differences.

Epiphytic orchids include varieties:

dendrobium;
cattleya;
lycasts;
phalaenopsis;
cambria;
zygopetalum;
masdevallia.

For such plants, the soil is important mainly to maintain an upright position, and then only to feed and obtain life-giving moisture. Hence, epiphytes do not need land, it is enough without a soil substrate... The mixtures have variations: 1 part charcoal and 5 parts bark. Or sphagnum moss, ash and bark chips in a ratio of 2: 1: 5.

Terrestrial orchids: cymbidium and pafiopedilum, which require increased nutrition. The following soil composition is suitable for them:

pine bark;
wood ash;
peat.

ADVICE: You can also prepare a substrate from ready-made orchid soil by adding moss and some deciduous soil.

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

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

Unfortunately, even in trusted stores, you can buy a low-quality product. To avoid this, prepare your own orchid substrate. All ingredients of the substrate do not have to be collected with your own hands, which are sold separately in specialized stores. Thus, the substrate can be easily assembled by yourself by mixing the constituents in the required quantities. Quite good production of natural material from the manufacturer "Sady Auriki".

How to make the mixture yourself?

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

Pine bark... It is a basic ingredient that can be easily found in the pine forest, on felled trees. The bark should be crushed to 2-3 cm.
Sphagnum moss... Collected in the forests, in the lowlands, after the snow has completely melted. Moss has bactericidal properties. Used fresh and dry.
Fern roots which contain many beneficial substances. Add to the mixture dry.
charcoal easy to find in the ashes. The ash is needed the same size as the other ingredients.
Expanded clay, inexpensive and light material... Granules are great for drainage.

Use options for preparing a substrate with the addition of coarse sand, granular clay, cork material, perlite, polystyrene, sheet earth, peat, humus.

Watch a video about collecting materials for orchid substrate:

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

Watch the video about correct transplant orchids:

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

What are the main features of the plant?

The regal orchid beckons and bewitches with its unusual beauty. The magnificent flowering bunches made her a favorite among indoor plants. When growing this flower, it is necessary to take into account its natural characteristics, and then for a long time it will delight 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 the tree donor.

The cultivation of tropical beauties at home became possible after the selection of special hybrids by breeders, a prominent representative of which is Phalaenopsis. It has a wide color spectrum and is easy to maintain. 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 retail outlets; they can also be ordered via the Internet, but it is better to prepare it yourself.

What is orchid soil made of?

The 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 let air through.

Compliance with these classic rules allows you to have beautiful healthy flowers of all kinds. all year round... The roots of 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 velamen layer on them, which has a structure similar to a sponge and should not be wet for a long time - otherwise it will rot. Velamen cover replaces the earth for 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

A wide range of ready-made soil mixtures for growing orchids is now presented in stores, but it is not always possible to choose a soil for a specific 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;
sphagnum moss;
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 orchid soil is tree bark. She experiences significant stress from moisture and growing roots. Its condition directly affects the quality of the potting mix.

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. Collecting is carried out only from dead trees: sawn logs, dead wood or dead wood. The pieces must be taken strong, without mold, traces of rot and massive insect damage. Purchased or harvested bark must be processed as follows:

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

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

Sphagnum moss and fern roots

Sphagnum marsh 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 at finished form, pre-dried and disinfected. When self-harvesting, the collected raw materials must be sorted out, washed, filled with boiling water and squeezed out, dried well. The best time to harvest is 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 processed as described above.

Technical materials

Florists widely use technical materials for structuring the soil. These are expanded clay, polystyrene, polystyrene and foam rubber. Expanded clay drainage is indispensable for growing orchids, its main advantage is 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 very well show their properties in the composition of soil for orchids. Their presence significantly reduces the risks of caking of the soil mixture and increases its air permeability, moreover, they do not emit harmful substances and have long periods of use.

Other soil components

Peat, pine cones, coconut fibers, perlite and vermiculite can be added to orchid substrates. All these components increase the looseness of the soil mixture, prevent it from 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; dolomite flour is added to reduce it. All species of the orchid family are epiphytes, so the classic version of the earth 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 air permeability and looseness 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 orchid soil. 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 # 1:

pine bark - 5 parts;
charcoal - 1 part.

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

Example # 2:

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

The soil will turn out to be loose, with good air circulation, which retains moisture and prevents rotting.

Example No. 3:

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

The substrate is used for mature plants and meets all the requirements. When self-preparing the soil, a good guide is the ingredients of the soil in which the orchid was sold.

What are the best flower pots?

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

unobstructed outflow of water;
good aeration of the roots and soil inside the container;
optimal temperature conditions;
possibility of safe extraction of long roots.

The material from which the pot is made is important. It is clay or plastic. It is undesirable to use glass. There are several parameters that an orchid flower container must meet:

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

Clay pot

Clay is natural material... A pot made of it is good for air and moisture. It is heavy and provides the plant with a stable position.

A clay container is good for cool-loving orchids, the roots of which are not involved in the process of photosynthesis. The main disadvantage is the possibility of growing roots to the walls, since 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 process of drying the soil and respond in a timely manner to any deviations. Plastic containers reliably protect the roots from drying out, prevent them from hypothermia 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 soft material, which greatly facilitates the transplantation of an orchid in the event 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.

Only drawback plastic containers Is lightness. The flower in such a container is very unstable, it can fall from the windowsill, get serious damage and even die. To avoid such a situation, it is recommended to use a spectacular planter, which 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: 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. Disadvantage - short-lived, quickly rot due to frequent watering.

Planting and transplanting an orchid

You need 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 by one quarter with drainage: expanded clay, foam 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 the smaller ones. The rosette is placed tightly in the container and is not allowed to wobble. 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. At the beginning, it must be watered abundantly. If the plant has grown strongly, divide it into parts and plant it separately.

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

Lovely orchids are unique plants that differ in many ways from traditional indoor flowers. In ordinary soil, they “refuse” to grow, therefore, special mixtures and substrates are selected for them.

Phalaenopsis orchid soil

In epiphytic plants, to which most phalaenopsis species belong, the roots perform a variety of functions. And it's not just a takeover nutrients and moisture, but also attachment to substrates, as well as participation along with orchid leaves in the process of photosynthesis.

ON A NOTE! The containers in which the phalaenopsis grow must be transparent.

The roots are basic and adventitious (aerial). In orchids, the roots are covered with a special substance - velamen. Velamen is based on dead cells and air, which is a kind of "sponge". Thanks to this coating, the phelanopsis root system can accumulate moisture, which is consumed during periods of drought. That is why the roots of orchids cannot be in a wet state for a long time, they necessarily 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. Various components can be selected for them, the main thing is that they all meet certain requirements.

What soil is best for Phalaenopsis orchids

Even experienced flower growers, when faced with the cultivation of orchids for the first time, often make mistakes when preparing the soil. Even the highest quality earthen mixtures are not suitable for these plants, but special compositions are needed.

The requirements for the soil for growing phalaenopsis are as follows:

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

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

Soil composition for Phalaenopsis orchids

The main components of the soil for beautiful orchids include:

bark of trees;
conventional coal produced by combustion wood firewood;
sphagnum moss.

Let's consider each of them in more detail.

For the base of the phalaenopsis substrate, the bark of pine, larch, birch is suitable. Oak bark is considered one of the best, since it contains many useful and necessary nutrients for the successful growth of an orchid. In such a soil, you can reduce the number of phalaenopsis dressings.

You can buy bark in specialized flower shops; it is also quite possible to prepare it yourself. Bark is used only from felled trees, while the material must 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 it is recommended to carry out this procedure twice, and then dry it and use it to compose the soil.

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

Charcoal Is an excellent absorbent and antiseptic. To get it, just burn a few birch logs.

ON A NOTE! You cannot use coal from fires, as foreign objects (paper, plastic) can get there. Such charcoal is not suitable for substrates.

One of the "classic" soil components for orchid plants is the roots of a plant such as a fern. They are also rich in nutrients, besides this, they are durable and very water-absorbing. For phalaenopsis, which are always quite difficult to tolerate any transplants, it is advisable to always add fern roots to the substrate.

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

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

Sometimes growers add walnut shells, small pine cones, sod land, terracotta clay. Some materials are purchased in stores, others are procured independently.

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

Leaves of birch, aspen, beech are suitable for additives to substrates. An excellent addition to the substrate is the foliage of oak trees. Leaves of beech, oak provide in the structure of the substrate the creation of a microflora comfortable for the phalaenopsis root system.

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 to prepare substrates. These materials are characterized by high moisture holding capacity and inertness. The crumb is added to the substrate in an amount of no more than 10-15%, chips usually make up up to 50% of the mixture.

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

For phalaenopsis, the following composition is also suitable:

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

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

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

ON A NOTE! For arranging the drainage layer, fine crushed stone, nut shells, pieces of broken brick are used.

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

Soil selection rules

Nowadays, orchid soil can always be purchased at specialized stores. Substrates are offered both in Russian and foreign production, but in all cases it is necessary to carefully study the description of the compositions.

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

The package should contain a detailed description of the composition with a listing of all components. It is also obligatory to note that this substrate is intended for epiphytic orchids.

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

Soil preparation rules

It was already noted above that phalaenopsis are very sensitive to moisture, so the soil for them should dry out in 2-3 days. It is not allowed to use dense soils, since the roots of the orchid will not receive the required large quantities air.

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

In ready-made store substrates, you can add some specific components, taking into account general terms and Conditions color content (humidity, temperature).

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

DIY phalaenopsis orchid substrate

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

Take charcoal and oak bark (proportion 1: 5), mix. This soil is suitable for phalaenopsis growing in flowerpots. "Plus" of the composition: does not accumulate moisture destructive for this type of orchid, provides excellent air circulation.
Another common composition: tree bark, white sphagnum moss, birch charcoal (ratio 5: 2: 1). This soil is used in pots, various baskets, blocks.
In rooms with higher humidity, a different substrate is used: bark (preferably pine or larch), foam, cork bark (proportion 4: 3: 2).
Sometimes they make up the soil for phalaenopsis only from pebbles, expanded clay (as drainage) and gravel. But such a composition is only good for summer period, as the roots of the orchid can be cool in winter. Therefore, it is still advisable to add crushed bark to such a substrate.
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 the plant is carefully fastened, its roots are covered with moss, and the composition is ready. Usually on such blocks, orchids grow with their leaves down or to the side, that is, in the same way as in natural conditions.

Instead of bark, for a 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 replant the "sisters", I used the soil they were talking about - the usual one for flowers. What a mistake it was! Fortunately, only one flower, transplanted "for trial", had time to suffer.

Having shoveled a lot of forums, I figured out what was the matter - it is better to mix the earth on your own (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, it is imperative that ...

Since an 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 in your apartment this flower will prefer to grow in the bark.

It is best if it is pine (pine bark is also good). True, you do not need to cut it off in a large piece - on the contrary, flower growers advise chopping the bark into small (coin-sized) pieces.

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

It is correct to do it like this:

the tree must be inanimate (felled, cut off some time ago or dried up), so there will be no resin in the bark;
the bark should not be with wood, only cut off 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 crumble 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 unwanted microorganisms to the sensitive orchid.

Sometimes pine cones are used instead of bark. This type of landing is considered rather experimental, but has already proven itself well ... And it is also aesthetically pleasing and not trivial.

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 are growing a Phalaenopsis orchid, mix a lot of bark, some charcoal, just a little bit of moss, and you will already have a ready-made 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 color lovers add activated carbon to the orchid substrate.

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

It absorbs water perfectly. At the same time, the 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 in the forest or in the meadow (yes, it does not necessarily grow in swamps, you can also find it in lowlands or wet glades). Collect moss better in spring... Moreover, it is not necessary to dry it; live, fresh sphagnum can also be added to the pot.

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

Fern roots

Not an option for every flower. Will like terrestrial epiphytes (say, cymbidium, but not phalaenopsis).

These roots are very nutritious and should be added a little at a time.

They can be dug up in the forest. You need to do this in early spring or late autumn... After that, the roots are washed and dried. Store them in a tied pouch in the dark.

Inorganic substrates: yes or no?

If you go to a florist shop, it turns out that modern science has created many artificial analogs of soils that your pet may like. And you can really buy them for mere pennies. But is it worth it?

What will you be offered:

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

Their advantages: high hygroscopicity, lack of reaction to feeding, easy cleaning from heavy salts, which eventually accumulate in the pot from water (all these pebbles just need to be rinsed). 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 for a very long time about watering, which may cause the flower to suffer.

Why you shouldn't use expanded clay

And on a visit, and in photos 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, lightweight, cheap, sold in many places, and environmentally friendly. Suitable for both base 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. They take in, and then give in large quantities dangerous salts to the roots of the flower. This slows down the growth of the plant, interferes with 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 soils for orchids

After all that has been read above, you might think that they are not being sold at all, otherwise why bother so much with cutting the bark and everything else?

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

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

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

And the last

Each person with his apartment, life schedule and type of flower 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 on the road) to water your pet on time, add more moisture-consuming components (the same moss) to the soil. They will actively absorb moisture when watering, and then give it to the flower for a long time.
If the epiphyte phalaenopsis (as well as other species growing on trees, of which 90% of the entire assortment is in our stores) will like bark, then cymbidium and papiopedilum are terrestrial inhabitants, which means they will not give up both humus and leaf litter, as well as peat. The soil for these flowers can be made on the basis of soil for ferns.
If in the soil you have created it takes too long for the roots to dry out, add some more charcoal and bark to the pot.
And vice versa, if there is little moisture in the flower (the air roots dry, the leaves shrink), the earth lacks sphagnum, coconut chips, and fern root.
When transplanting, it turned out that you prepared too little bark? Add what you have at home - walnut shells. Also, many growers use broken coconut (but this additive 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.
Are the seedlings small? Make a small substrate for them (cut the bark into centimeter by centimeter particles). For a mature plant, the pieces should be larger.

Want to experiment? How do you like the idea of growing an orchid without soil at all? Some growers allow the roots to grow in a container of water, or even hang out in the air. And the plants not only do not die, but also bloom! Of course, such experiments should not be used if you have the first and only flower. But if you have already separated a lot of children and gotten your hand in caring for them, why not give it a try?

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