Orchids are plants that are found in warm and humid environments. Thousands of varieties of orchids thrive in the wild, especially in tropical locations like South America and Southeast Asia. Orchids are epiphytes or air plants, so they do not have roots in the soil; they normally grow on tree barks. For this reason, you will need an orchid potting mix also known as potting medium when growing orchids in your own home, greenhouse, lawn or garden.
What is an Orchid Potting Mix?
An orchid potting mix holds and gives support to the plant. Since orchids are usually hanging on branches, they are not best suited to stand in soil. An orchid plotting mix acts as a support so orchids can be planted in vases, pots, on the ground or any flat surfaces. An orchid potting mix also stores fertilizer and moisture for the orchids’ consumption. An orchid potting mix is also responsible for good airflow and water drainage.
What Are the Different Orchid Potting Mix Materials?
An orchid potting mix can be made from organic and inorganic materials or a combination of them. Here is a list of some of the orchid potting mix materials:
-Coconut Husk and Fiber
Exterior shell of a coconut and the fiber extracted from the husk provides good moisture retainers and they are lightweight, so it will be great for hanging purposes.
Available in different grades. Cheap but decomposes in a relatively shorter time.
Fibrous, fluffy and lasts longer than fir bark but some orchid supplies stores do not supply them.
Little clay pellets that may resemble dog food. These pieces are inorganic and do not decompose. They may be a little heavy but they definitely permit good aeration because of the spaces they make in between each other.
A dark grey or black carbon-containing wood residue. Very cheap. It absorbs toxic substances.
Molten rock from volcanoes. Heavy but will never decompose. Like alifor, it permits good drainage.
Different kinds of orchids may require different types of orchid potting mix. For example, a Cattleya orchid potting mix is with coconut husk chips, sponge rock, stalite and granite chips while a Phalaenopsis classic orchid potting mix has sphagnum moss, sponge rock and granite chips.
Orchids are dainty and unique. They are native to tropical and semi-tropical regions of the world. Most types of orchids can be houseplants, they are usually seen in a garden or in a vase displayed on a shelf, by the window or in pot hangers on the porch.
Orchids are delicate and need to be well taken care of. Orchids can grow and bloom faster when given some special fertilizers. You can get these fertilizers from orchid supplies shops. You can also ask the orchid supplies specialist for some tips and advice on how to take care of your plants. It is necessary to know what orchid supplies your certain type of orchid needs to maximize its potential to bloom fully.
These plants have different preferences for light, temperature, humidity, watering, ventilation and the pot they are housed in. Professionals from greenhouses or orchid supplies shops and even experienced orchid caretakers can explain these things to you.
Below is a basic guide for orchid care:
1-Orchids like bright light, but not direct sunlight. They should be watered once or twice a week but more when it is hot outside and less when it is cold. Orchids should not be left sitting in water, so make sure the water drains out of the pot. If orchids are kept indoors, you should purchase a drainage dish from an orchid supplies shop and place it under the pot.
2-Airflow is also an important factor, as orchids need gentle air movement and good airflow in the potting mix. Buy a pot from an orchid supplies store that permits good airflow.
3-Orchids like humidity too. You can get humidity trays or a humidifier that blows out cool mist at any local orchid supplies store.
4-Proper temperature for orchids is a necessity. Daytime temperature must be between 64°- 75°F with a nighttime temperature dropping just a few degrees.
5-Orchids need some special fertilizers that are also available at any orchid supplies store. Fertilizers will depend on the type of orchid you are growing.
Unlike most plants, orchids do not require soil to grow. They are placed in pots with potting mix that are usually made up of tree barks and moss combined with perlite, vermiculite or charcoal to permit airflow. They also have different preferences for pots. Orchids may be placed in plastic or ceramic pots with drainage holes. Pots and potting mixes can also be found at any orchid supplies store. There are many orchid supplies stores that sell a wide range of orchid supplies and products like tools, orchid media, gardening, watering tools, pots, baskets and more.
For more information about orchids, orchid supplies and orchid care, you can visit a local orchid supplies store or search online. A product developer for flowers and plants once said, “Orchids have a reputation for being a challenge to look after.” Just remember that taking care of plants, especially orchids is not as easy as you think; even the most well-cared for orchids can have problems at times, but if properly managed and the right orchid supplies are used, the blossoms could prove well-worth the effort.