DIY Phalaenopsis Orchid Soil: Soil Composition and Mixture

The question of choosing a special soil for orchids arises because in nature, these plants are epiphytes, meaning they depend on other plants for their nutrition. Orchid roots are mostly located on the surface, absorbing oxygen and moisture, and sharing nutrients with the plants that have "adopted" them.

It's impossible to create tropical forest conditions at home, but with the right substrate, you can successfully grow these exotic flowers in an apartment and enjoy their blooms for years to come.

Composition of soil for phalaenopsis orchids

The best substrate for phalaenopsis is a mixture consisting of the following parts:

• tree bark;
• charcoal;
• peat;
• coconut fibers;
• expanded clay;
• moss;
• fern roots;
• rock particles: perlite and vermiculite;
• cones;
• foam plastic.

Dry leaves, nut shells, and sawdust may also be included in the substrate.

Rules for choosing soil

All of the listed components do not necessarily need to be present in equal proportions in the soil. The soil in which orchids are sold in stores is formulated according to all the rules; however, it does not always contain all the components that could theoretically be present in the substrate. Creating such a composition for home cultivation is even more difficult, as obtaining all the necessary elements is not always possible.

The main rules for preparing a substrate for phalaenopsis are the mandatory fulfillment of the following basic requirements:

• lack of garden soil;
• the ability to maintain the vertical position of the plant;
• good ventilation and the ability to let moisture pass through without retaining it for a long time.

A soil mixture composed of individual components should be left to mature for at least 3-4 days before planting. The choice of moisture-retaining components is determined by the overall humidity of the room: the higher the humidity, the less moisture should accumulate in the pot.

The best soil options for phalaenopsis orchids may look like this:

1. Composition for wet rooms: tree bark + charcoal. Proportion – 5:1.
2. For young phalaenopsis, a suitable combination is pine chips + moss + charcoal. The ratio is 5:2:1.
3. Universal composition: humus + peat + bark + coal. Proportion: 3:1:1:1.

If it is possible to add pieces of foam or expanded clay to all mixtures, the soil will become even more porous and airy.

Rules for soil preparation

How to prepare all the elements?

1. Peat. This component is present in almost all store-bought potting mixes. It can also be purchased separately. High-moor, neutral-powder peat is added to phalaenopsis substrate. There's no need to crumble it; it's best to use it in large chunks.
2. Tree bark. A key ingredient in all orchid mixes. Coniferous bark is most suitable for this purpose. Aspen or birch bark can also be used. The bark is harvested from parts of a recently felled tree, while it is still alive but has already evaporated some of its resinous substances. Before use, the bark is cleaned of mold and resin, disinfected with boiling water, and dried.
3. Charcoal. It's prepared from a campfire, after the log has burned, in large chunks. It acts as an absorbent.
4. Fallen autumn leaves serve as a good source of nutrients in the substrate. Oak leaves, which decompose quickly, are ideal.
5. Expanded clay, polystyrene foam, and mineral components can be found at any construction site or purchased in a store.
6. The fern roots are cleaned and doused with boiling water.
7. Sphagnum is soaked for 24 hours.

DIY soil for Phalaenopsis orchids

A Phalaenopsis orchid will thrive for quite a long time in the same soil it comes with, especially if you use fertilizer. However, there comes a time when all the elements of the mixture have served their purpose, and the plant has grown and requires more space or division. In such cases, repotting is necessary. Specialty stores and supermarkets offer ready-made orchid repotting mixes, but if you can't afford a ready-made soil mix, you can make your own.

You already know how to assemble the individual components, now let's talk about repotting. All components are thoroughly dried, crushed, and mixed. Several large pieces of bark are left and placed in the center of the pot.

Drainage material is added to the bottom: crushed rock, expanded clay, polystyrene foam, or broken brick. The prepared soil mixture is filled halfway, then drainage material and large pieces of bark are added, almost to the top. Dry and rotted roots are trimmed from the plant being repotted, and intact roots are rinsed under running water. The phalaenopsis is secured on top of the poured substrate and lightly covered with soil so that the orchid sits evenly and some roots remain above the surface. No watering is required.

For the first ten days after planting, the phalaenopsis should be left alone - do not water or move it, so that the root system can take root with all its components.