Orchid Medium

The main function of the medium is to provide support. Anything that does this and allows good air circulation around the roots is acceptable as a potting media.

Normally, orchids need to be repotted every 18 to 24 months, depending on the needs of the individual plant.

The best way to choose a suitable media for your growing area is to speak with local growers and breeders to see what they are using. Common media include the following:

 

• Sphagnum moss: is great for seedlings and young plants out of flask and ideal for moisture loving orchids. It holds water exceptionally well, the rate at which it dries can be controlled when repotting; to keep moss wet longer, pack more tightly, to dry faster, pack loosely.
• Sphagnum moss also possesses some antiseptic capabilities, can be used alone, and mixed with other media

 

• peat moss:  Peat moss is a primary ingredient in soiless mixes, and is used with bark, perlite and charcoal as anorchid mix. Growing orchids in peat based mixes is casuallyreferred to as growingorchids 'in mud'.

• fir bark chips : Fine fir bark is good for seedlings, epiphytes (air plants) and small root orchids, such as the Pleurothallids. Cattleyas prefer medium fir bark.

 

 

• redwood bark chips: Redwood bark is used for its ability to lower PH in a mix. It is fibrous, open, fluffy and more resistant to decay than fir bark. Redwood bark is often used in potting mixes for Cymbidium orchids

• osmunda:  is a combination of fern roots. Once a favorite for epiphyte orchids, it is now scarce and expensive. Some experts still use it, but it may be difficult for beginners.

• tree fern :  is porous and an excellent moisture-retaining, aerating orchid medium. It is also a good medium to pack around roots and to provide support for aerial roots.

 

 

 

• coconut chips: are a perfect orchid medium for moisture loving and epiphyte orchids. Coconut husk chips are slow to break down, so last at least two years. The chips must be thoroughly washed to get rid of any salt before being used.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• sifted perlite: retains moisture, protects against insects and rot, and provides excellent root aeration.

• granular charcoal: It’s a helpful component of other orchid media to provide root aeration

• Broken brick: Broken brick is large inorganic chunks that are ideal to provide support for orchids grown in large vanda baskets. Broken brick is popular in wet climates for its modest moisture retention properties. Broken brick can be used to provide weight in the bottom of a pot. For terrestrial orchids, layer peat, coir or soiless mix on top of broken brick for drainage.

• cork (usually used as a slab to mount orchids): Orchids love growing in, on and around cork because the roots work their way in and around the craggy surfaces and texture. The added benefit of cork for orchids is that it holds virtually no water, lasts very long and mixes well with other media to make spectacular mix combinations

All the media listed above dry at different rates. The media at the top of the list retain the most moisture, while those toward the bottom of the list dry out much quicker.