What is an Orchid Mix?
If you are a grower of orchids and you feel that every other grower has an orchid that seems to be healthier, bigger and more vibrant than yours, you might ask the question…what am I doing wrong.
The successful cultivation of an orchid depends on the kind of potting medium used, the size of
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the pot and the type of plant you are putting into the pot. Then there is the actual material that you have to add, this is the orchid mix.
Before coming to the orchid mix let us start with the pot first, because the very material of the pot will also influence what should go into the mix. This will also depend on a few other factors. For instance, are you growing the plant indoors?
In which case, a lightweight plastic pot with a good drainage will be ideal. If you choose a clear polythene pot, more light will get to the roots and it will not let the orchid mix heat up too much in strong sunlight.
Should you decide to place the pot outdoors, the plastic pots are too light and have the tendency to tip over. Thus, terracotta orchid pots are better since these are much heavier and have one drainage hole in the bottom thereby not allowing the orchid mix to get water logged.
Other terracotta pots come with drainage holes in the sides and better for the orchid roots to get air through the orchid mix. These pots are ideal for the drought tolerant epiphytic orchid plants.
Another pot type is the basket orchid pot suitable for orchids with pendant flowers. It holds heavy rooted and sprawling orchids well. These basket orchid pots come in different materials such as wires, plastics, mesh woods and potteries. The designs of these pots provide air circulation around the orchid mix and the roots of the plant.
If you notice that your orchid is getting pot bound, your instinctive reaction will be to take a new pot and prepare it with orchid mix for the transplantation. Before you decide to disturb the plant, remember that the root system of the plant is the one that nourishes these flowers.
If you change the pot, the roots will need to grow and the flowers will take a back seat. Only re-pot when absolutely necessary and you feel that the roots are not able to get adequate aeration.
Now when you do need to replant, what will you use in the orchid mix? You have both the organic and inorganic choices. If you are going with organic then you can use any of these alone or in a combination namely: the coconut husks, the Fir bark, redwood bark, sphagnum moss, and tree fern fiber.
Among the inorganic options are alifor, charcoal, lava rock, vermiculite, pearlite, and turface. The mediums in the orchid mix will naturally depend on which orchid plant you plan to use them for. Feel free to experiment with them to come up with one that is just right for your plant.
What is an Orchid Mix?
If you are a grower of orchids and you feel that every other grower has an orchid that seems to be healthier, bigger and more vibrant than yours, you might ask the question…what am I doing wrong.
The successful cultivation of an orchid depends on the kind of potting medium used, the size of
the pot and the type of plant you are putting into the pot. Then there is the actual material that you have to add, this is the orchid mix.
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Click HereBefore coming to the orchid mix let us start with the pot first, because the very material of the pot will also influence what should go into the mix. This will also depend on a few other factors. For instance, are you growing the plant indoors?
In which case, a lightweight plastic pot with a good drainage will be ideal. If you choose a clear polythene pot, more light will get to the roots and it will not let the orchid mix heat up too much in strong sunlight.
Should you decide to place the pot outdoors, the plastic pots are too light and have the tendency to tip over. Thus, terracotta orchid pots are better since these are much heavier and have one drainage hole in the bottom thereby not allowing the orchid mix to get water logged.
Other terracotta pots come with drainage holes in the sides and better for the orchid roots to get air through the orchid mix. These pots are ideal for the drought tolerant epiphytic orchid plants.
Another pot type is the basket orchid pot suitable for orchids with pendant flowers. It holds heavy rooted and sprawling orchids well. These basket orchid pots come in different materials such as wires, plastics, mesh woods and potteries. The designs of these pots provide air circulation around the orchid mix and the roots of the plant.
If you notice that your orchid is getting pot bound, your instinctive reaction will be to take a new pot and prepare it with orchid mix for the transplantation. Before you decide to disturb the plant, remember that the root system of the plant is the one that nourishes these flowers.
If you change the pot, the roots will need to grow and the flowers will take a back seat. Only re-pot when absolutely necessary and you feel that the roots are not able to get adequate aeration.
Now when you do need to replant, what will you use in the orchid mix? You have both the organic and inorganic choices. If you are going with organic then you can use any of these alone or in a combination namely: the coconut husks, the Fir bark, redwood bark, sphagnum moss, and tree fern fiber.
Among the inorganic options are alifor, charcoal, lava rock, vermiculite, pearlite, and turface. The mediums in the orchid mix will naturally depend on which orchid plant you plan to use them for. Feel free to experiment with them to come up with one that is just right for your plant.