ORCHID POTTING MIX: THOSE WHO KNOW RIGHTS AND WRONG

In this article we will try to tell you about orchid potting mix, tips and those who konow wrongs and rihgts. Orchids have an aerial root structure because their natural habitat is tree bark. For this reason, the root structure of the orchid and the soil where the root will be held have a very important place in the development of your orchids. Orchids will never grow in regular potting soil, don’t try this. Roots that want air and light in normal potting soil cannot get air and the roots suffocate. For this reason, special soil mixtures have been created to grow orchids indoors. The common aspect of these mixtures is; It has high permeability, can hold moisture, has an air gap, and is high in organic matter.

Orchids are generally divided into 2 as Phaleanopsis and Dendrobium. The general soil requirements of these orchids are similar. Special potting mix are available for orchids. First of all, make sure that the soil mix you prefer is organic. It should not contain plastic, processed or chemical substances. Choose mixtures that contain organic substances that will not harm your orchids. The materials that are accepted as organic components by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and can be found in the Orchid soil mix are as follows;

• Bark; The bark of “fir, cedar, pine” trees is used for orchid soil. These crusts provide drainage, increase the water holding capacity of the soil and help the roots breathe.

• Sphagnum peat moss; It is used in the production of orchids. Thanks to the moss, the orchid stays constantly moist.

• Coconut coir; Thanks to the hard outer shell and fibrous structure of the coconut shell, it retains the moisture needed by orchids, provides drainage and contributes to ventilation.

• Charcoal: In order for charcoal to be used as organic matter in your orchid soil, it must be produced from untreated wood or burnt organic matter. The effect of charcoal in orchid soil is to protect the plant by absorbing salts and bacteria.

• Perlite: In order to be counted as organic, it must not come into contact with chemicals during processing.

Other inorganic materials used in orchid potting mix; fertilizers and polystyrene foam can be used. When choosing the orchid soil, first decide on the type of your orchid and then on the material your orchid needs.

Because Phalaneopsis orchids love moisture, the soil should be kept moist at all times. If you already have orchids in your home, you can add more water absorbent materials such as “perlite, peat moss, tree fern” to feed the soil and keep it constantly moist. If you add these materials to your orchid soil, the soil will be constantly moist. In addition to these materials, there are several tried-and-tested materials for Orchid potting mix. Other materials you can add are; “rockwool, sand, charcoal, cork and polystyrene foam”.

There is a wide variety of prepackaged Orchid potting mix on the market. When you prefer orchid soil mixtures; It is necessary to pay attention to whether the substances it contains are organic or not, the size and the balance of the mixing ratios. When you want to buy orchid soil, you see many options. Finding the ideal soil for your orchid can be confusing and exhausting. We have examined some of the Orchid soil mixtures that you can obtain ready-made for you.

Perfect Plants-Orchid Potting Mix

In this potting mix; produced for your Phalaenopsis orchids; It contains pine tree bark, coconut coir, charcoal and sponge rock.

Soil Sunrise-Phalaenopsis Blume Orchid Mix

This potting mix of bark, moss and perlite is ideal for your Phalaenopsis orchids. It contains moss to keep it moist, bark for drainage and aeration, and perlite for organic matter.

Miracle-Gro Organic Orchid Potting Mix

It is a mix; that can be used for all orchid species. It contains tree bark, coconut coir, perlite and charcoal. It is an ideal mix for your orchids.

RePotme-Orchid Mix

It is an ideal mixture to meet the needs of your orchids. It contains pine bark and other organics.

Orchid Potting Bark

It is a Orchid potting mix, that can be used for all orchid species. If you have both Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium orchids at home, you can use this mixture. In it; There is bark and mulch.

If you like this artcile you can read our article about “How to care for orchids”