Orchid Growing Medium
Create the right temperature for your orchid.
Orchid growing medium. Fir bark usually douglas fir is a common orchid medium and provides nutrients and root aeration for approximately two years. Each type of orchid enjoys a different type of planting medium so if you plan to grow a large variety of blooms creating your own mix may be the best option. The temperature depending on the species of orchid should range between 65 to 75 degrees fahrenheit 183 to 238 degrees celsius. Its also quite lightweight so it wont weigh your plant down.
Most commercial orchid planting mediums contain ingredients such as peat moss perlite or fir bark. Pine bark for orchid growing medium. They are also grown in pots filled with chips of bark stones treefern charcoal pieces or some other loosely packed material which keeps roots well aerated and permits water to drain quickly. Bark can be used for many orchids.
Clay pebbles can be used for semi hydroponic culture sitting in. In my first year of growing orchids about 10 years ago i studied the ingredients of the original knudsen formula c orchid seed growing medium and found that i already had all these ingredients in my kitchen. Fine fir bark is good for seedlings epiphytes air plants and small root orchids such as the pleurothallid s. Pumice has many fans for its polishing potential on rough skin but this volcanic rock is also a lightweight inorganic growing medium for your orchids.
Most orchids originate from a tropical climate meaning good air plenty of light and 12 hour days 365 days a year. Medium grade bark sphagnum moss rockwool cubes and clay pebbles can all be used on their own as a potting media many use sphagnum moss for masdevallia and pleuros or other fine rooted orchids. Bark is also an important material in orchid potting mix. I did not need a scientific laboratory environment to make this medium.
While orchids love moisture a little goes a long way. Here are some common materials that you can use to make bark mix. Rockwool cubes are popular for phragmipediums. The finer the particles the faster the nutrients are released.
Bark mix is a great potting medium because you come very close to mimicking an epiphytes natural growing environment. The tough wiry fibers break down very slowly and is an ideal potting medium. There are many type of bark that can mix in orchid potting mix. After 1 year the bark is decomposed into humus causing waterlogging and root rotten.
The rock is highly porous and holds up to 50 percent of its weight in water. But you should choose type of long lasting bark.