When it comes to caring for orchids, we place a lot of emphasis on the overall health of the plant. We examine the leaves and roots, as well as the inflorescence. We consider sunlight, water, and air circulation as we strive to provide the best possible habitat for our developing plants. Putting medium is something that is often overlooked. It is understandable that we usually think of potting material only when we have to report something wrong with the roots. But when it comes to updating orchid potting media how do we know what makes an excellent potting medium? What exactly is the orchid potting medium made of and what makes it unique?
The most common ingredients in orchid potting mix or media are bark, moss, perlite, charcoal, tree fiber or coconut fiber. The content of the potting media will vary according to the manufacturer. Most epiphyte orchids benefit from medium-grade pot material that allows air circulation and root drainage. Some pot mixes include fertilizers or slowly released plant foods, which will provide you with extra orchid nutrition.
To answer the above question, I will go over some important elements related to orchid potting ingredients. I will also explain why it is important to choose the right orchid potting medium for your orchid health. Please note that the terms "orchid potting mix" and "orchid potting medium" will be interchangeable. But remember that they are the same thing. I will give you some pointers on choosing the best potting medium for your plants. Continue reading to learn more!
The right orchid potting media?
In a bowl, the medium of orchid potting
is not like many other houseplants, the orchid has its own requirements and constraints. Orchid roots distinguish them from many other plants.
It is important for orchids to understand how orchid roots are organized before setting foot on the ground. This will explain why orchid-specific potting ingredients are so important to the health of your orchids.
Most orchid epiphytes have velamen around their roots. Velamine is a protective coating with a sponge-like texture. This allows the roots of the orchid to absorb and store water while transmitting nutrients to the rest of the plant.
Epiphyte orchids grow on trees or rocks in wild areas and their roots are aerial. Velamen help absorb water and nutrients from orchid roots from the surrounding environment. Orchid roots need constant air circulation to stay healthy. Velamen will be damaged over time if they are constantly exposed to moisture. When velamen is injured the roots can no longer absorb or transfer water and nutrients. Orchids will die if many roots are damaged.
Soil Orchids vs. Epiphyte
Terrestrial Orchids are more resistant to moisture than Epiphyte orchids. Loamy soils or fine-grade potting media can be used to grow terrestrial orchids. As a result, it is important to know what type of orchid you have. This allows you to choose the right potting medium for your orchid.
The roots of an epiphyte orchid will stop breathing and if planted in standard soil the orchid will be ruined. Orchid roots will not only be deprived of adequate air circulation but the dampness and density of the soil around the velamen will also quickly damage the roots.
For these reasons, Epiphyte orchids must be planted in orchid-specific potting soil. This will ensure the health and well-being of the plants.
What is the structure of orchid potting media?
orchid potting soil in a
You may be curious as to whether let's talk about it!
The air circulation and extraction of orchid roots are designed in an orchid potting mixture. It is usually made with a lightweight and gaseous mixture of gritty materials. Orchid-specific potting material creates gaps and open spaces around the roots when there is light.
Most orchid potting media uses a mixture of bark, tree fern, algae, and perlite. Some combinations include charcoal, lava rock, osmunda fiber, and coconut husk fiber. Below, I will go through each element in more depth. You will learn to choose an orchid potting material that meets the unique needs of your orchid.
.
Peel
a squash, grate it and squeeze the juice. The aim is to increase the air circulation around the roots. Some companies use fir bark, others use pine bark. Therefore, the type of skin used may vary.
Fur bark is a good choice because it is hardwood and relatively water-resistant. Pine bark orchid potting is more prevalent in the media, although it is not as good. Because it is a softwood which is less water-resistant.
Pine bark is more likely to absorb water than other woods. As a result, pine bark will remain moist for a longer period of time. This will increase the chances of root rot. Pine bark is commonly used in mulch and is considered "low" grade for orchid jute material.
Redwood bark is a third possibility, but it is even more challenging to come.
How to choose the right bark
You can note the different grades of bark available when shopping for an orchid potting mix.
The small pieces of bark will form a fine-grained bark mixture. It is more suitable for Keiki orchids or terrestrial orchids. This orchid needs more moisture than other orchids.
It will be suitable for a wide range of orchid species. Sun Bulb also sells an orchid potting blend that works well with Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Oncidium, and Catalia orchids.
The thick bark pieces are quite large. It is ideal for orchids that require fast-draining, fast-drying potting media. It can also be used by giant planters to care for orchids. A quick-extracting orchid blend is like this Miracle-Grow thick blended orchid potting blend.
Reporting Preparation
When you are first reporting your orchids, you need to soak the mixture in a bucket of water before using it. Because wood bark first prevents water absorption, in this case. The potting mixture should be pre-soaked to avoid getting too dry for your orchids.
However, the new bark will create a dry environment for your orchid when you report it in a fresh pot mixture. It's not always a negative thing. Your orchid roots will be able to recover from rot and create new roots in dry weather.
Orchid potting media takes a long time to peel. How much water and fertilizer you give your orchid determines how fast it decomposes. Potting media will break down quickly if it is watered and fertilized more frequently.
It will also depend on the type of wood used. Pine will probably decay faster than hardwood-like fir. The potting material should last about 18 to 24 months before you report your orchid and start again with new potting media.
Moss
Sphagnum Moss is a type of algae that grows on trees.
Moss will be present in many orchid potting mixtures. It can be fine sphagnum moss or thick German peat moss. Moss is notable for its ability to retain water. After watering the orchids, it helps to add moisture to the potting mixture.
Moss is a light element that allows air to circulate around the roots. Moss is available in pieces or strands throughout the potting mixture.
Although difficult to come by, German peat moss is considered superior to sphagnum moss. Sphagnum moss is cheap and easy to find in most garden centers. The problem is that it tends to freeze together. This reduces the air circulation in the potting media, causing the roots to rot.
On the other hand, Spagnam Moss has the advantage. It can be used to help an orchid that has lost all its roots develop new ones. Sphagnum moss can help in the development of fresh Keiki orchids.
Coconut Fiber
Coconut fiber is available in two grades: fine and coarse.
Coconut fiber can sometimes be substituted for algae. It comes in different grades like bark. Fine coconut fibers, often known as coir, are like hair or thin roots. Coarse-grained coconut fiber comes in the form of bits and is like the bark of a tree.
Coconut fiber is light and absorbs a lot of moisture. It takes a long time to decay and does not freeze like sphagnum algae.
Perlite Perlite
Using a metal scoop to scoop
Perlite is a white, lightweight substance that resembles a styrofoam ball in the soil of a pot. It is a non-organic compound made from heated igneous glass. Water is quickly drained from the soil in perlite-based containers. This prevents the vessel medium from being overly compressed.
Perlite has a lot of small air space, which helps to ventilate through the potting. The perforated quality orchid potting of perlite is essential for mixed extraction.
For the reasons mentioned above, perlite is employed in many soil mixtures. Includes orchid potting media, as well as cactus and juicy potting media. It is a mixture of ordinary garden soil, albeit in much smaller quantities.
When perlite is packed with other substances, it produces dust, which is one of its disadvantages. Soak your potting media before using it to reduce dust. This will help in removing dust particles.
Tree
fern Tree fern and a bag of pot soil
Orchid potting Another element of soil is tree fern. It helps in soil aeration and drainage. Tree ferns, such as bark and coconut fiber, come in a variety of grades, from fine to coarse.
The tree ferns look like small sticks and their size prevents the potting mixture from shrinking. The tree fern is spread around the potting mix, creating air pockets for orchid roots. It rots at the same speed as the bark of a tree.
Charcoal Charcoal
on a white background
You can see charcoal particles in your orchid potting media from time to time. Charcoal removes odors and prevents bacteria from growing in pot soil. It also reduces acidity and enhances the originality of the potting medium. The overall health of orchids is helped by a controlled pH level.
Another thing to keep in mind is that charcoal does not absorb or retain water. This helps in removing the potting material and keeping it dry. In addition, medium to large particles of charcoal will prevent the contents of the vessel from shrinking as it shrinks over time. Unlike bark chips or algae, charcoal does not disintegrate over time and retains its shape.
Lava rock and charcoal are sometimes confused. One of the differences between charcoal and lava rocks is that lava rocks are more prone to salt formation.
In general, the remaining salt from fertilizing and watering will stick to the lava rocks if you use them in your orchid potting mix. When it comes to charcoal, the opposite is true. Fertilizer salts are absorbed by the charcoal. As a result, your orchid roots are protected from root burns caused by fertilizer salts.
What makes a good orchid potting medium?
There
are different types of orchid potting media to choose from in the market Other merchants have come up with their own combinations, each claiming to be the best. So, how do you make your decision?
To get started, learn to work with the different ingredients of the potting mixture. When I went through the most frequent orchid potting mix ingredients, I took it deeper. When buying Orchid Potting Mix you will know what to look for if you know what each ingredient does. This allows you to choose a blend that suits your orchid's exact needs.
I’ll look at what to look for in an orchid potting mix. You will find out how much you need to buy and get one with fertilizer.
Basics of Orchid Potting Media When
choosing an orchid potting media, look for one that has relatively thick, uniformly shaped bits of skin chips. If the bag is clean and the contents are visible, make sure there are no small or fine particles, corroded material, dirt, or dust. The airflow reaching your orchid roots will be reduced due to smaller pieces. Standard potting seems to be broken enough similar to clay which is something that should be avoided.
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