Orchid soil guide

Orchid soil: special orchid substrate for beautiful plants

Orchids are beautiful plants that inspire with beautiful flowers. For a long time to enjoy them, it is important not to let them in potting soilbut in special soil for orchids to plant.

Orchids: robust, adaptable „potted plants“

Orchids are not only robust, but also adaptable plants, provided that they are placed in a suitable location, well maintained and suitable earthbe set. Orchids are aerial rootlets. Originally, many species even grow on trees. These special plants are also referred to as „epiphytes“, that is, as so-called „epiphytes“. They are not parasitic, however, because they are completely self-sufficient. Orchids simply obtain the necessary nutrients and the necessary water from the air.

Why soil for orchids and not a normal potting soil?

Orchids should not be planted in conventional potting soil as this is too moist for the roots of the plants. In a pot of normal potting soil, the orchid roots would rot. This is also the reason why a large number of indoor orchids die of decay within a very short time: The roots are covered too tightly, so that they are quickly absorbed by too much moisture. Although the various types of orchids come from humid rainforests, the roots are always free in the air. Accordingly, any excess water can easily bead off here. Because of this one finds also in the trade also special soil for orchids or orchid substrates. On the one hand they are able to hold water and on the other hand they are still permeable to air. Main components of soil for orchids are peat, bark and polystyrene. Furthermore, depending on the manufacturer, for example, the following substances may also be contained in an orchid substrate:

– coconut fibers
– Moss
– charcoal
– pieces of wood

When buying from soil for orchids should be paid to quality. Ideally, the selected orchid substrate does not contain too much peat. Otherwise, the moisture is held in it for too long, so that too little air comes through. With high-quality orchid substrate, on the other hand, there are still enough spaces filled with air so that the roots are able to breathe. For this reason, it is also important that waterlogging is avoided. In addition, orchid substrate supports the plants so that their roots find a good grip. It is best if the respective components of the orchid soil are adapted to the size of the respective orchid. For example, smaller plants need finer ingredients in their substrate than robust and large orchids.

How to recognize high quality orchid substrate?

High-quality orchid soil mainly consists of coarse pieces of bark and is free of pests, such as, for example, black bats. On the other hand, you come across crumbly ones bark, which is almost rotted to it, one should rather refrain from this. Orchid substrate should contain much larger pieces than small crumbs, which rather remind of conventional soil. The purchase of high-quality orchid soil is worthwhile, because hereby the beautiful plants thrive magnificently. However, as already mentioned, the care as well as the location should be right. For low-quality orchid substrates, on the other hand, the likelihood that the plant will survive or thrive for a long time is rather low.