Orchid Soil
One of the reasons that some people think orchids are hard to grow is that they do not grow in regular plant potting soil. Anyone who has not done some research on orchids or asked enough questions when buying one, could end up easily killing a orchid by applying normal soil/potting methods instead of using proper orchid soil.
Orchids are epiphytes, and are sometimes referred to as air plants to denote the fact that their roots are not supposed to be packed into soil but left free to air circulation. In their natural environment, such as in the rain forest, orchids grow on the trunks and branches of trees. They can even grow along the ground with their roots never entering the ground.
The only reason an orchid needs anything in its pot at all is really to hold it upright. That is why the materials or medium used to grow orchids is very light and very porous. There needs to be air circulation around the roots at all times or the orchid will never flower. That means that any growing mixture which buries the roots is going to kill the plant.
After people have been growing orchids for a while, they all develop individual recipes which they consider are just right for their planting medium. All of the different substances used in these mixtures have advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on the species of orchid you are growing and your personal preferences.
One of the best things to do when you are just starting to grow orchids is to talk to other people who grow and breed them. They are usually a friendly bunch who will be happy to talk to you about the ins and outs of different substances. Among the most used media for orchids are fir bark chips and redwood bark chips. Most gardeners usually combine at least two or three kinds of orchid soil, such as mixing together fir bark, granular charcoal and sifted perlite.
Also used for growing orchids are coconut fiber or coconut chips, osmunda fiber, clay pellets, and chipped rock. Sphagnum moss and peat moss are also used but usually with orchids with a particular need for more moisture. Both of these were used a lot more before the various barks which allowed better air circulation were discovered.
Another consideration when growing orchids is the size of the pieces used in the medium. Larger chunks allow for more drainage and air, while smaller ones keep in more moisture. If you are just beginning or are the kind of person who tends to over-water plants, start out with something like fir bark chips. You can always change your preferences as you go along. Cork and wood are often used to mount orchids outside.
If your orchid soil does not have the right texture and water is retained in the medium, what you may notice is that the leaves of the plant start to turn yellow or the bulb starts to shrivel. These are signs of your orchid being too wet, but sometimes they are misinterpreted as meaning the orchid needs more water. This is the worst thing to do as more water will rot the roots and kill the plant.
Should you have problems these, there are books that can help as well as many forums on the internet dedicated to the growing of orchids. Most of the people in these forums are more than happy to answer your questions about growing orchids.
