Create the Perfect Environment for your Orchids
You’ve wandered the rows of beautiful orchids at the growers’ greenhouses. Their orchids are just gorgeous – healthy and colorful, with a fragrance that captures the senses. Then you get back to your house, and sigh at the sight of your under-sized, malnourished orchids.
So you ask your own orchids, “How can I help you?”
Being successful at growing orchids in pots has a lot to do not only with maintaining a balance in your potting soil medium and the pot size you use, but even the material that your pots are made of.
It may sound complicated, but it really is not. You can use your experience with other types of potted plants to help you succeed with these orchid growing tips.
There are so many different pots to look at. Different sizes, different materials… you check out pots at the local plant store or on-line, dumbfounded at the number of choices open to you. Once you discover exactly what your orchids need, most of the other pots will exclude themselves from your selection process.
OK, we’re at the garden shop. The first pots we see are plastic. They are really handy, and not heavy to work with, and they allow plants to drain – a great indoor pot. But if you use them outside, you’ll have to set them back upright every time the wind knocks them over. The color will work, though. The polyethylene clear pot is super, because your orchids’ roots can get light this way, like they do when they grow on the sides of trees in the rain forest.
In the next aisle is a terracotta orchid pot. This one is more heavy, more substantial. You notice it has a drainage hole in the bottom, and some of them have holes in the sides, too. These will be handy to prevent the rot that can be caused by over-watering, by allowing excess water to run off. This is a great pick for the epiphytic orchids, who can even survive drought.
One aisle over are the basket types of orchid pots. These are very helpful for orchids that have pendant flowers. And orchids that like to sprawl will love these pots, too. They have more selection in materials, as well – pottery, mesh wood, plastic and wire, to name a few. These pots will help air circulation around the roots and compost as well.
If you notice your orchids becoming pot-bound, looking like they need more room, your gardener’s instinct may suggest that you transplant them. Hold that thought – many types of orchids grow very well in this situation.
Then you remember the importance of the root system, and you recall orchid experts telling you that under-potting an orchid is actually a good thing. Don’t transplant until you have to. The Cymbidium orchids are evidence of this theory – they never need repotting until after a few years in their small pot. In fact, there are other varieties that it’s wise never to repot.
Now you have your carefully-selected orchid and a pot. What potting mix should you use?
Don’t fill your orchid pot with dirt from your yard. Orchids prefer a growing medium that contains inorganic and organic materials. Each type comes in three different grades, which are coarse, medium and fine. So what type and brand does your orchid need?
Fir bark is cheap to buy and readily available. And it rots slowly. You will notice that initially, it only holds water with difficulty.
Redwood bark will hold water better for you than fir bark. It also has a slow rate of decay.
Coconut husks are the top choice among a lot of growers. They are priced reasonably, and hold water fairly well. But they do decay more quickly than some other kinds, which is their main drawback.
Sphagnum moss can provide your orchid with an excellent balance of air and water retention. Don’t pack it tightly if you choose this type.
Tree fern fiber is rare and hard to find. But it’s an excellent choice, because it is slow to decay, and it drains very well.
SO much for organics. The inorganic potting mix best choices are next.
Charcoal is a good choice because it can absorb toxic substances, and it decays very slowly.
Lava rock can be very heavy, but it’s a good choice because it doesn’t break down, and it provides good drainage. Those are two important factors for orchids.
Alifor is made up of small pieces of clay. They provide moderate drainage and they don’t decay.
Vermiculite helps increase the roots’ air exposure, and holds onto water very well.
Pearlite is light and resistant to decay, and it absorbs water very well.
Turface is used in the same situations as pearlite, but it’s expensive, and a heavy mix.
You don’t need to select one medium for your orchids. You know how your plants grow the best. You know what mediums have done well for them, and where they can be placed for optimum growth. You can make your own combination of the above ingredients.
Give your orchids the very best of care by selecting your orchid pots and mixes carefully. These orchid pot tips will allow you to have amazing looking orchids that last for many years.
