Soil for Phalaenopsis orchid what is needed?

Every housewife wants to make her house not only cozy, but also beautiful. To do this, sometimes it’s enough to put a couple of flowering plants. The Phalaenopsis orchid looks very interesting in the room. However, not everyone knows how to care for her. The main mistake in choosing the soil. But it depends on him how the flower will grow. Plain garden ground is not suitable for these plants. So, what should be the soil for the phalaenopsis orchid?

Conditions created by nature

To understand what soil is needed for phalaenopsis orchids, it is necessary to determine the conditions under which these plants exist. First of all, these flowers are one of the varieties of epiphytes. Orchid roots are commonly called "airy". Thanks to them, the plant is attached either to the rock or to the tree. The orchid receives all the necessary components, including minerals, from its "donor", as well as from the air. The flower pours rain. It is in such natural conditions that this species exists.

However, hybrids that were created specifically for growing at home have long been bred. Phalaenopsis is the most unpretentious orchid. However, they require certain conditions. This is especially true for the soil.

Choosing a soil for Phalaenopsis orchids

The composition in this case is of particular importance. The soil for this type of plant is called a substrate. Of course, the easiest way is to purchase a ready-made one. If there is an opportunity, then it is worth cooking it yourself. When choosing the soil should take into account climatic features, flowering periods, plant size and volume of dishes.

You can experiment with mixtures. The main thing in this matter is respect for proportions. If the orchid blooms profusely, then the plant liked the soil.

What should be present in the composition of the soil? It:

1. Sheet earth.
2. Pine cones.
3. The rock perlite.
4. Vermiculite is a mineral.
5. Peat bog moss sphagnum.
6. Polystyrene.
7. Fern roots
8. High or low peat.
9. Coir.
10. Expanded clay.
11. Charcoal.
12. The bark of a pine or deciduous tree.

Features of some components

The soil for orchids phalaenopsis must contain deciduous or pine bark. To find such components is not difficult. Growing and healthy trees are worth choosing. In this case, the bark should peel off quite easily. If this is not so, then you should find another tree. When collecting bark, do not use force or sharp objects. Everything is done exclusively by hand. Bark can be collected from hemp or fallen trees. It is important that they be without trash. Raw materials must be dry. Damp components can introduce pathogens into the soil, the activity of which can adversely affect the plant.

You can also find fern roots and moss in the forest. Assemble these components also carefully. Fern should be dug up. For the substrate, only the roots of this plant without the upper part are required. For convenience, the raw materials can be divided into small pieces.

As for moss, it is best to use swamp. If there is such an opportunity, then it is better to collect sphagnum in the lowlands.

For soil, you can use deciduous land. It needs to be used in small quantities. True, phalaenopsis may not like this component.

Pebbles and rocks

Soil for phalaenopsis orchids may contain expanded clay. This is a building material. There are two types of expanded clay: crushed stone and sand. In this case, the first option is relevant. After all, expanded clay is mainly used as waterproof drainage. Polystyrene can also play the same role.

Vermiculite is a layered, secondary product. It is very useful for plants. After all, this component makes the soil for Phalaenopsis orchid more loose, protects the plant from drying out, fungal infections and mold. In addition, vermiculite prevents caking and clumping of the soil. Thanks to this mineral, the root system of a plant develops evenly. Vermiculite also protects against changes in day and night temperatures. After all, this substance is able to keep cool even in very hot weather.

What may be the composition

Creating a primer for Phalaenopsis orchids at home, it is not necessary to use all of the above components. There are several composition options:

1. One part of charcoal and five parts of pine bark. This soil can be used not only for pots, but also for greenhouses. Such a soil has a reduced moisture capacity and excellent air circulation.
2. One part of charcoal, two parts of chopped moss and five parts of pine chips. This soil for Phalaenopsis orchid is perfect for those plants that are planted in a basket, pot or in blocks.
3. One part of pine bark, peat and charcoal, as well as three parts of deciduous land. This soil is perfect for plants that need top dressing.

What is the principle of picking up soil

In order for the plant to take root in the house, several principles should be observed:

1. The soil for the Phalaenopsis orchid should not be compacted and too dense.
2. The substrate for these plants dries in just three days. This is considered ideal soil for this species.
3. The lower the humidity in the room, the more soil is needed, which contains a sufficient amount of moisture-consuming components.

Soil preparation

Since it is quite difficult to fertilize the soil for the Phalaenopsis orchid, it is worth taking its preparation seriously. If all its components are enough in its composition, then feeding may not be necessary.

So, the moss needs to be soaked for a day in water, the roots of the fern should be washed in the shower, and then doused with boiling water. This will remove all insects. After this, the components should be crushed. Peat should be divided into small parts, and the bark into chips. All components should be steamed and then dried.

At the bottom of the tank you need to put small gravel, polystyrene, broken red brick - drainage. Then a layer of soil is laid out. In the center, a drainage layer should be made, and then a layer of substrate. That's all. It remains to plant a plant.