Choosing a soil for Phalaenopsis orchids
Phalaenopsis orchid soil plays a major role in its development. This applies to those representatives who grow at home. It is necessary to provide the plant with land in which the root system would not die.
Choosing a soil for Phalaenopsis orchids
Soil preparation
To prepare the substrate at home, you should study all the parameters of the culture. It takes into account not only where the culture grows, but also its origin.
Natural conditions
The root system of this flower is airy. By its roots, it is attached to rocks. The plant receives nutrients from the donor or in the process of getting rain moisture on it. Power can be supplied through the air.
Phalaenopsis is a hybrid culture that was created for growing at home. The soil for orchids is different from other varieties of flowers that are grown on the windowsill. The soil must be suitable for growing conditions in the wild.
Soil selection
The soil is bought in agricultural stores. It is really possible to cook it at home. For this, not only the crop variety and its dimensions are taken into account. It is necessary to pay attention to the size of the pot, the growing season and the weather conditions in which the cultivation is carried out.
Depending on each variety, the composition of the soil will always be different, because each variety needs different nutrients and different levels of drainage.
Soil composition
The development of the plant (root system, flowering and stem height) depends on the soil. If you plant them in low-quality soil, then there is a high probability of the death of the entire bush.
There are recipes for preparing the soil for planting. It is necessary to adhere to the proportions, because the slightest deviation is fraught with the death of the bush.
Substrate components
The composition of the soil for orchids should contain the following components:
- wood coal;
- coniferous bark (best pine);
- coconut fiber;
- fern roots;
- vermiculite, perlite and sphagnum;
- peat;
- humus and pine cones.
The land contains a number of exotic components. It is prepared in different proportions, depending on the type of culture.
Brief description of substances
Bark can only be used from healthy trees
Soil for a flower involves the use of different components. Humus or pine bark is relatively easy to find, but all other ingredients are difficult.
Use the bark from a healthy tree. They look for fern roots and moss from swampy areas in the forest. Expanded clay is sold in building materials stores.
Vermiculite is necessary to provide looseness to the soil. So it will better allow moisture and air to pass through. Also, its functions are considered to reduce the risk of fungal growth and prevent the soil from drying out.Despite the fact that vermiculite belongs to a mineral that is not characterized by a high content of useful components, it is used to increase the looseness of the earth.
Soil composition options
It is not necessary to include all the ingredients in the phalaenopsis orchid soil at once. It is realistic to prepare a substrate with your own hands from those elements that we managed to find without certain difficulties. There are several options for preparing the soil, which are based on the use of completely different elements.
Option 1: pine bark is mixed with charcoal (1: 5). This composition enhances the exchange of moisture inside the pot and enhances oxygen circulation.
Option 2 for preparing soil for orchids with your own hands: mix sphagnum, charcoal and pine bark (2: 1: 5).
Option 3: mix 1 part of peat and coal with 3 parts of humus and pine bark.
Preparing soil for orchids
Features of the preparation of the substrate:
- Indoor humidity indicators. If it is dry, then the soil should be moisture-absorbing.
- Pay attention to the drying rates of the prepared substrate. The optimum drying time is 3 days. The prepared substrate must not be tamped. It should be loose.
Recipe
Moss, which has just been collected, is poured with warm water and allowed to brew for 24 hours. This will kill all parasites and bacteria. Fern roots are washed under running water and immersed in boiled water, literally for 10-15 minutes.
The next step is to grind the roots. The pieces should be 3-4 cm in size. The peat is divided into several small pieces. The pine bark is crushed to such an extent that small chips are formed.
All these components are placed in boiling water, after which they are thoroughly dried. A drainage system is installed in the prepared pot. Crushed gravel or broken bricks are used as drainage. In ½ part of the entire pot, the prepared soil for phalaenopsis is poured, after which a layer of drainage is again made. The upper part is again covered with earth. After that, you can plant a flower.
Orchid pot
After preparing the mixture, you should choose a container for its placement. At home, they are planted in glass or plastic containers. This enhances the good illumination of the roots by the sun's rays.
Better to use pots made of plastic and clay. You have the right to make the choice yourself. There should be a hole at the bottom of the pot through which excess moisture will come out.
With the help of plastic pots, it is easier to observe the condition of the roots and their development. This container conducts well the light through itself, which the plant needs. The disadvantages are the lack of attractiveness.
It is customary to plant varieties in a clay pot that need high humidity. With its help, the plant is protected from falling, because such a container is characterized by high weight.
Conclusion
The quality of the soil for Phalaenopsis orchids is determined by its composition. Proper care of the plant depends on it. Depending on the choice of components and their proportions, raw materials are obtained for different varieties of this crop.