Owners of their own backyard plots often cannot decide on the choice of the most optimal soil before planting such a capricious ornamental plant like an orchid. It is not always possible to find a suitable mixture for growing a particular variety, so summer residents and gardeners have to experiment and sometimes make mistakes and blunders.
All varieties of orchids are divided into several groups, which are called epiphytic and terrestrial. The first of them can attach to the surface of stones or other plants. Their root system is not located in the ground, but in the air, from which it receives the necessary moisture. As a result, the use of a substrate is not required for the cultivation of epiphytes. Land orchids are very different and grow in completely different conditions. They grow among the undergrowth in loose and fertile soil.
If you decide to do growing orchids - this demanding flower, then the ideal soil will be a ready-made mixture that is intended specifically for these plants. However, it is better to purchase it in specialized garden stores, where soil for various varieties is sold. There are also mixtures for specific types on sale, for example, phalaenopsis... Although only one flower is named on the package, it can be used to grow all epiphytic varieties.
Components of soil for orchids
The mixture of soil must be chosen depending on the height of the shrub and the volume of the container where the flower will grow. As a rule, moisture-retaining components should be the main part of it if the plant is to be grown in a basket or in a separate block. However, mature shrubs that are planted in pots do not really need these materials.
Sometimes there are varieties of orchids that need the presence of heavy soil for full development. Natural and artificial components with their own characteristics can be in it in different proportions. These types of orchids include, for example, cymbidium.
Natural ingredients
- tree bark
- sphangnum moss
- fern roots
- peat
- coconut substrate
- charcoal
- Pine cones
- leaf land
The collection of tree bark is carried out in the forests from sawn down or fallen pine trees. Sometimes dry peeled bark is used, which is carefully removed from still growing trees. It is not allowed to collect rotten pieces of bark, since they contain a large number of pathogens that can harm the plant.
The sphagnum moss, which is used to fill the pot, acts as an antiseptic and a component that retains moisture. It is used to prevent the risk of drying out the soil, for example, in nets, blocks or other containers where air circulation is present. Good quality moss is usually collected from swampy areas or forests.Before using this component for growing an orchid, it must be ventilated and dried. In ordinary flower pots or containers, which have continuous walls and holes for water to drain, moss may not be used. Adding filler on top of the soil will suffice.
There are varieties of orchids that grow well only in sphagnum, since moss really has all the beneficial substances. However, you still need to follow the rules for caring for the plant in order to avoid a lack or excess of moisture.
Fern roots are dug out in the forest, then they are cleared of the earth and thoroughly washed in water. Cut clean and dried roots into pieces no more than 2 cm long.
Charcoal is used to maintain a constant level of acidity in soil and water. It should be included in the soil mixture in moderation, since it tends to accumulate salts and, thereby, affect the overall salt balance. For plants that need regular feeding, it is required to use charcoal in the soil in small doses. It is also pre-washed and dried, and then crushed into tiny pieces. Prepared coal is applied directly to the soil or sprinkled on the soil surface in a container for growing an orchid.
Another component that collects moisture is peat, which is characterized by a strong coarse fiber base and a low salt content. It does not need to be crushed.
Pine cones are cleaned of seeds and other foreign debris and washed with water, after which the scales are separated from each other. Then they are dipped in boiling water for several minutes for disinfection, and then dried. Pine cones can be used instead of bark. The fragile scales of spruce cones are not suitable for this purpose.
Leaf soil, after removing leaves and small twigs, is used as a common garden substrate, which is added to ready-made mixtures for growing cymbidium.
Artificial components
- perlite
- expanded clay
- vermiculite
Perlite and vermiculite have the property of imparting looseness to the soil mixture. When released into water, they swell and then regain their previous appearance, releasing dissolved nutrients.
The bottom of the container is covered with expanded clay. It is a drainage material that can absorb accumulated moisture.
Soil for growing epiphytes
The substrate used to grow epiphytic orchid varieties does more than just a nutritious function. Its main role is to keep the shrub upright and allow air to reach the roots. For this reason, such a substrate may not contain any loosening components or earth, but only consist of bark, coal or coarse sand.
It is not necessary to add all of the listed components at the same time. Most epiphytic orchids develop fully when grown in a mixture of charcoal, bark, sphagnum and fern roots, which are taken in the same ratio. However, such conditions are suitable only for those specimens that will grow in nets or blocks with free air circulation. The use of moss in such mixtures is mandatory in order to retain the required amount of moisture and protect the orchid from drying out. Sphagnum helps determine if it needs watering.
A mixture for potted orchids should contain one part charcoal and five parts pine bark. Such a composition is characterized by a low level of moisture content and the ability to pass air. For indoor varieties grown in baskets or blocks, it is required to use a substrate that retains moisture for a long time, which should include coal, moss, and pine bark. They are added in a ratio of 1: 2: 5.
Soil for growing terrestrial orchids
Ground orchids need to be fed regularly. Growing them requires a mixture of charcoal, peat, pine bark and leafy soil.
An epiphytic substrate is often used, to which dry sphagnum is additionally added, which retains moisture, and garden soil.
In the absence of a ready-made mixture, bark, coal, moss and peat are poured into the pot in a strict sequence to increase fertility. However, it must be added sparingly so as not to weigh down the soil, otherwise the roots can easily rot. The components are carefully mixed, expanded clay is poured onto the bottom of the pot.
Due to the fact that during the entire period of its life various root excretions gradually occur in the plant, the substrate is destroyed over time and turns into unusable dust. This is also influenced by the presence of bacteria and fungi, which accelerate the decomposition of organic components in the mixture. In this regard, the substrate becomes unsuitable for growing an orchid. Air circulation inside the pot is also disrupted, which has a negative effect on the development of the plant's root system. If you notice any warning signs, then it is better to transplant the flower into a new substrate or change the soil in this growing container.
