Orchid Medium
The finer the particles the faster the nutrients are released.
Orchid medium. While orchids love moisture a little goes a long way. 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. Orchids grow slowly compared to houseplants. Pine bark for orchid growing medium.
Fir bark usually douglas fir is a common orchid medium and provides nutrients and root aeration for approximately two years. To pot an orchid the pot is filled about two thirds with orchid potting medium then the plant is set in the pot with its roots spread out. 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. Orchids are grown by bark medium very well.
There are many type of bark that can mix in orchid potting mix. Most commercial orchid planting mediums contain ingredients such as peat moss perlite or fir bark. Cattleyas prefer medium fir bark. An older orchid is more prone to cling to bigger medium grade mix.
An orchid with smaller roots will prefer a small fine graded medium. Finer grade medium makes it harder for water to run freely through it creating a damper environment inside the pot. Our medium grade orchid bark is only available from us in the uk and is used in our quality hand prepared potting mixes. B138 bm 1 terrestrial orchid medium same formulation as b141 without agar plant tissue culture tested storage temp soluble in 2 60 c water 1 l 10 l 50 l b142 bm 2 terrestrial orchid medium contains 02 mgl 6 benzylaminopurine ba and agar contains the macro and micronutrients vitamins and plant growth regulators required to culture orchids.
Medium grade bark containing intermediate size chips is the typical major constituent of mixes used for the orchid of average size and watering needs. Bark is also an important material in orchid potting mix. You can make your own custom orchid mix but you first need to become familiar with the needs of your particular plant. After 1 year the bark is decomposed into humus causing waterlogging and root rotten.
But you should choose type of long lasting bark. Many orchid cultivars can grow in a one ingredient medium and some varieties prefer only certain materials. And there are many high quality orchid growing mixes that offer a variety of benefits depending on the media included. This is a general guide but you also have to take into consideration each orchid species.