New orchid growers quickly learn that good orchids cannot thrive in ordinary potting soil. Most orchids really grow in the air; the medium is only there to provide the roots with something to adhere to since it is too thick and doesn't drain well enough. In addition, the variety of orchid potting material options might be perplexing.
Many orchid cultivars may thrive in a medium with only one element, while others only like certain materials. You may create your own unique orchid mix, but you must first learn about the requirements of your specific plant. Additionally, depending on the medium used, a wide range of high-quality orchid growth mixtures are available that provide various advantages.
Cost, availability, and appearance may enable you to make a more specific decision among all of these possibilities. It's wise to educate yourself on the characteristics of each kind of material to aid in your decision.
Brick pieces and paving stones
Brick fragments provide hefty orchid pots weight and stability. However, since it may be so hefty, you should go for lesser sized pieces. Because of this material's moderate water retention, the humidity around your orchids will be higher.
The bottom half of an orchid pot may also be secured with cobblestones as an anchor. Top-heavy orchids like dendrobiums can stand erect because the little, irregular pebbles are weighty. Since cobblestone won't hold onto water, you'll need assistance improving the drainage capabilities of your orchid mix.
Coconut Husk Chips with Coir
The fibrous central core that surrounds the fruit, known as coconut coir, may be used on its alone or as a component of a unique orchid combination. In order to provide orchid roots with wet but not soggy growth conditions, the long fibers collect moisture while also releasing it fast.
Coconut husk chips, a sustainable resource, are available in various sizes to suit your requirements, whether they be as a stand-alone growth media or an addition to potting soil. As a result of the chips' gradual decomposition, the roots of orchids get the most air possible. Plaques made of cocoa husk fiber, which provide a great substrate for growing orchids on mounts, are also used by many orchid gardeners.
Cork
The waterproof characteristics of cork are known to everyone who has a vintage bottle of wine. For the best orchid mix, combine water-shedding cork with water-absorbing sphagnum moss or finely chopped bark. The bigger cork chips have a lot of nooks and crannies that orchid roots may explore.
Aggregate of Expanded Clay
Some orchids are sold with potting soil that contains pebbles that resemble Cocoa Puffs cereal. If you see them, it's highly probable that the plant you bought was grown in a clay aggregate that has been extended, such as Aliflor or Hydroton Clay Pebbles.
These ceramic pebbles differ from conventional rocks in that they are porous, light, and neither acidic nor alkaline. To give the pots of your orchids a consistent look, you may use them as a mulch on all of them, combine them with other growth medium, or use them alone.
Rock of Lava
This inorganic growth media is often used with orchids brought in from Hawaii. Lava rock is an useful potting mix addition for orchids that don't want to have their roots disturbed since, like other rock growth medium, it won't decompose. Lava rock holds onto water, which raises the humidity level for your orchids.
Perlite
Perlite, commonly referred to as sponge rock, is made when volcanic glass is heated to a high temperature. Perlite provides great water retention and aeration qualities while without providing any nutrients to orchid plants. Due to the fact that most nurseries and garden stores have it on hand as a general soil supplement, it is also a fairly simple media to locate.
Pumice
Pumice The granite is very porous and may store as much water as 50% of its weight. Additionally, because of its modest weight, your plant won't be burdened by it.
Stone Wool
The cotton-like chalk and basalt fibers known as rock wool, sometimes written rockwool, may be purchased online or at higher-end gardening supply shops. Its major benefit is that it won't degrade in your orchid potting mix. However, you will need to add some organic material, such as bark or peat moss, to balance the alkalinity of the rock wool cubes.
Peeled bark
cypress, cedar, and fir tree bark that has been shredded. It is one of the most often used materials in orchid pots, particularly those that are offered to novices at flower stores and nurseries.
As the bark decomposes, it will acidify your orchid mix. It is also liked for its organic appearance and lovely scent. But once a year repotting may be necessary for orchids grown in a bark media.
Sphagnum moss Sphagnum moss, which is weed- and pathogen-free, keeps the soil around your orchid roots wet. However, it won't become soggy, which is why it's a popular option. For the greatest results, you should rehydrate the moss (which is sometimes supplied in compacted bricks) and place it loosely into the orchid planter.
Growing Styrofoam Orchids in a medium made of Styrofoam may be successful if they like dry times. Simple Styrofoam peanuts may function as a growth medium and are an environmentally good choice since they allow you to recycle the usual packaging material. Additionally, you may purchase specialized Styrofoam pellets like Aerolite that are created especially for epiphytic plants like orchids.
Vermiculite
Several potting soil additions are sold at garden centers, and vermiculite is often among them. It often appears as gravel-sized particles in many pre-made potting soil mixtures.
This pale brown mineral is effective in retaining nutrients and water. Additionally, vermiculite aids in aerating potting soil. Sphagnum moss and it work well together to make a light, moisture-retentive orchid mix.
Choosing the Best Growing Material for Orchids
