Beautiful orchids are moody plants. Like any epiphytes, they are very sensitive to the composition of the soil. It is necessary to choose the right substrate so that these exotics delight with their flowering.
What are the requirements for the substrate
What kind of soil is needed for an orchid, is determined depending on the type of flower and the conditions of its maintenance, in particular, on humidity. The drier the indoor air, the more moisture-resistant the soil mixture should be.
Substrate for orchids
Soil for orchids must meet the following requirements:
- Sterility. There should be no pathogenic flora and fauna in the soil. The less even beneficial microflora in the substrate, the better for orchids. In wildlife, they grow on tree trunks, where such a microcosm as in soil is practically not formed.
- The invariable structure. The soil should not rot and decompose, it can be deadly for a flower.
- Weakly acid composition. The most optimal pH level is 5.5-6.0. For some species, it can reach 6.5 pH, but no more. The acidity of the soil is determined using a litmus test. To do this, put a little substrate in a clean vessel and fill it with distilled water. A litmus test is lowered there for 30 seconds. Depending on the acidity, it will change color. There are special soil acidity meters, they are sold in garden supplies stores.
- The ability to retain moisture when air is dry.
- Lightness and friability, the ability to provide easy air access to the roots of the epiphyte.
Soil Acidity Meter
Note! The soil composition for orchids should not contain any toxic elements; it should be safe and environmentally friendly.
Can ordinary land be used
This question cannot be answered unequivocally. There are many orchids, and among them there are not only epiphytes growing on trees, but lithophytes living on bare rocks. Lithophytes include some of the species of Paphiopedilums ("Venus slippers"), familiar to all phalaenopsis and lush flowering dendrobiums. All of them can grow as epiphytes.
There are terrestrial orchid species. These are calendars, blethillas, cymbidiums, some of the Paphiopedilums and pleione. You can also plant Macodes, Hemaria, Gudayer, Anectochilus in a pot of earth.
Cymbidium
Important! Unprepared chernozem from the garden plot as a soil for an orchid is not suitable. Before use, it will be necessary to sterilize and add a number of components to facilitate the structure, since the substrate cannot consist solely of earth.
Sphagnum moss as a substrate for orchids
Florists are constantly arguing about the use of this material as a primer for orchids. It has its pros and cons.
Advantages of sphagnum (peat) moss:
- The presence of sphagnol - a phenolic compound with bactericidal properties. Such a substrate will be sterile, which is what is needed for growing orchids.
- The ability to accumulate and store moisture. Water in the sphagnum is evenly distributed.
- Moss can be used both in fresh and in dried form, its properties do not change.
- Sphagnum soil is good, light and loose, which is optimal for epiphytes.
- When water evaporates, magnesium and calcium salts are deposited on the surface, which prevents the flower from developing normally. Mulching with sphagnum prevents rapid salinization of the substrate.
The negative sides of the material appear only with improper use.
The disadvantages of sphagnum as soil for orchids:
- Insect pests can develop in insufficiently dried or waterlogged moss.
- Material decomposes quickly. It must be changed at least 2 times a year.
- After some time, the moss may be compressed. In this form, it impedes the access of oxygen to the roots of the plant.
- Dry sphagnum is able to absorb water 20 times its volume. This makes it difficult to calculate the irrigation fluid.
Moss sphagnum
Important! Insect pests feel great in sphagnum, so before use it is either scalded with boiling water, or soaked for a long time.
Pine bark
The closest to the natural substrate. The bark evaporates moisture, the roots of the epiphyte absorb it. Orchids are well attached to the soil from pine bark and easily maintain a vertical position.
Oak bark is even better, but this is already a premium class, since it is more difficult to separate from the trunk than pine, and has more strength.
Pine bark
A substrate for do-it-yourself orchids from pine bark is a worthy replacement for ready-made store mixes.
Lowland peat and coal
In its pure form, peat as a substrate for orchids is not recommended even for terrestrial species.
Lowland peat
The root system of the flower rots at the moment. Lowland peat can only be used as an additive in the mixture, combining it with bark, charcoal and other components.
Fern roots
The roots of the royal osmund were used to grow orchids much less often than pine bark, but they were suitable for them no worse. Now this fern is included in the number of protected species, and it is strictly forbidden to let it on the substrate. More common plant species have the same qualities:
- do not caking;
- retain moisture well;
- air and light transmission;
- contain many trace elements useful for orchids.
Note! Phalaenopsis categorically dislikes this component. It is suitable for orchis, cymbidium, dracula, venereal shoe varieties.
Soil may not consist entirely of fern roots, they are the same additive as peat.
Fern roots
With a large amount of this component, the substrate becomes too moisture-resistant, which contributes to the decay of the roots.
Soil
In flower shops you can often find the so-called soil for orchids ("Flora Orchid", "Plan Terra"). Experts do not really like him and do not recommend it for use even for terrestrial species that prefer a heavier substrate. For phalaenopsis, whose roots are actively involved in photosynthesis, such a dense fine-grained soil is not suitable at all.
Most popular purchased substrates and primers
Ceramis for orchids is small clay granules with biological additives (phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen). Those. and land for orchids, and fertilizer at the same time. The composition of the substrate, in addition to clay particles, also includes pine bark or larch.
This reusable primer. Even after a dead plant, it can be used by simply washing and baking in the oven.
He is loved by phalaenopsis. Their babies take root in this mixture very quickly.
The soil easily maintains the necessary moisture, but the root system in it does not decay. When using the mixture does not require frequent transplantation of orchids.
Negative properties have not yet been revealed in Ceramis.
Ceramis
Orchid for orchids is made from specially processed shredded bark of radiant pine from New Zealand. Soil does not require special treatment, it passes air and moisture well, does not contain toxins and harmful microorganisms. Unlike ceramis, it can not be used repeatedly.
Orchiata
Bio effect for orchids. It consists of:
- bark of an Angarsk pine;
- trace elements: iron, magnesium and zinc;
- large peat;
- charcoal;
- coconut fiber.
When using such soil, the plant is easy to fill, because it retains moisture too much, which contributes to rotting of the roots.
Bio effect
Substrate processing
If for some reason it is not possible to purchase a ready-made substrate for orchids, you can prepare the substrate yourself. Hand-assembled components, such as pine bark, must be carefully processed.
Selected ideal pieces of bark need to be cleaned of contaminants and sent to a cold place to age for aging to get rid of insects.
Then conduct heat treatment:
- A large piece of bark is broken into several smaller ones and laid out on the bottom of unnecessary dishes (an old steel or aluminum pan, as well as a galvanized bucket, will do).
- From above, the bark is pressed with cobblestone or other oppression so that the future soil does not surface.
- The tank is filled with water, not reaching about 5 cm to the edge. Put on fire, bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook for at least an hour.
- Then the water is drained, and the bark is thoroughly dried in an oven at 100 ° C.
DIY soil preparation
Some gardeners prefer to prepare land for orchids at home. So they are sure of the components used and their proper handling.
So, the primer for orchids: a do-it-yourself composition. It includes:
- moss sphagnum;
- lowland peat;
- fern roots;
- pine cones and bark;
- charcoal (It is better to collect the one that remains after the fire; purchased coals can be additionally treated with a combustible composition. If the fire was kindled with a special liquid, coal cannot be taken from it);
- vermiculitis;
- expanded clay;
- perlite;
- dolomite flour;
- coconut fiber.
Some also add polystyrene here, but there is an opinion that under certain conditions styrene is released from it, which is harmful to orchids.
Note! Peach leaves can be a useful component. They have a fungicidal effect and prevent the development of molds in the substrate.
The ingredients from the list above do not have to be used all at once. You can make compositions of some substances:
- charcoal and pine bark (1: 5);
- bark + sphagnum + coal (5: 2: 1);
- bark + peat + expanded clay + coal + dolomite flour (3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1).
Step-by-step instructions for preparing the substrate:
- Cook and arrange all the ingredients.
- Boil the bark.
- Sphagnum sort out, discarding all unnecessary.
- Mix the ingredients in the correct proportions.
- Check acidity.
- To fill up soil in a cache-pot.
- Plant a flower.
Despite all the capriciousness of orchids, you can make soil at home, which will be no worse than purchased. If you adhere to these rules, the tropical inhabitant will please you with health and lush flowering.
