Detailed explanation of substrate preparation methods, even beginners can easily learn

Sinceorchidsmostly prefer moisture but fear wetness, requiring breathability, ventilation and appropriate nutrients. Therefore the substrate should use materials that can both absorb and drain water, both breathe and provide nutrients, best to mix organic and inorganic materials. For growingorchidsthe most commonly used substrates include sphagnum moss (mainly peat moss), fern roots (mainly osmundaria root), bark, coconut shell, tree leaves, dried cow dung, palm fiber, charcoal, crushed bone, humus, peat soil, animal feathers, pond mud balls, tiles, crushed bricks, ceramsite, gravel, vermiculite, coal cinders, soil, etc. They can be prepared according to the requirements of differentorchids. Substrate preparation depends on the different orchid species. Preparation method: first break crushed bricks, tiles, ceramsite, perlite, charcoal, bark, coconut shell and other block materials into pieces 1-3cm in diameter, grind off the edges; then crush humus, soil, sandy soil, peat soil, animal feathers, dried cow dung, etc., add water and mix evenly in proportion, dry in the sun and then divide into small pieces for later use. Generally in the substrate for terrestrial orchids, the proportion of soil, humus, dried cow dung, etc. should be larger, while for epiphytic orchids the proportion should be smaller. Below are the internationally commonly used substrate ratios, for reference. Cattleya genus (Cattleya) Bark or fern root (chopped) 1/2 Live sphagnum moss (fresh peat) 1/4 Charcoal 1/8 Perlite or vermiculite 1/8 Cymbidium genus (Cynibidium) (mainly epiphytic species) Fern root or bark (chopped, medium size) 1/2 Live sphagnum moss (peat moss) 1/4 Charcoal and perlite 1/4 Miltonia genus (Miltonia) and Odontoglossum genus (Odomtoglssum) Bark or fern root (cut into small pieces) 1/2 Live sphagnum moss (peat moss) 1/4 Fine charcoal or perlite 1/4 Paphiopedilum genus (Paghiopedilum) Bark or fern root (chopped, medium size) 1/4 Sphagnum moss (peat moss) or peat (mixed with 8% charcoal or perlite) 3/4 Phalaenopsis genus (Phalaenopsis) Live sphagnum moss (peat moss) 3/4 Perlite and charcoal 1/4 Vanda genus (Vanda) Chopped live sphagnum moss (peat moss) 3/4 Charcoal and perlite 1/4 As mentioned earlier, fern root mainly refers to the fibrous rhizome of osmundaria, and the chopped bark and fern root are roughly 1-3cm long. The above are approximate ratios, because even within the same genus, different species have different requirements, so they can only serve as reference. However, for terrestrial species among Chinese orchids, such asCymbidium goeringii、Cymbidium sinenseetc., they do not apply. Terrestrial orchids need more soil and organic matter. Generally use pond mud blocks, porous rock (such as vermiculite), crushed bricks, charcoal, etc., respectively processed into particles or small pieces 0.5-2cm in diameter (grind off the edges), plus sphagnum moss, fern root, humus soil, sandy loam soil, etc. Use slightly larger substrate in the lower part of the pot, and smaller with more soil in the upper part, to maintain breathability. Pay attention to pH, slightly acidic (pH6-6.5) is suitable; if the humus soil and sandy loam are too acidic, use lime to neutralize to slightly acidic; if too alkaline, use superphosphate, ferrous sulfate, etc. mixed into the soil to adjust to slightly acidic. Organic fertilizer composted from weeds and leaves is slightly acidic, most suitable for use in the north, and can be used to adjust the pH of the substrate. (Chen Xinqi, Ji Zhanhe)