How to choose suitable growing media in orchid cultivation

The first ones I started growingorchidswere wild-collected plants (xiashancao) brought back from orchid-producing mountain areas (my first encounter withorchidswas in 1986, when a relative from Huangshan sent them). Since the plants were very vigorous, I usedorchidmud produced locally in my town mixed with a little coal cinder (large chunks for the bottom layer) to plant them, and placed them in the first-floor courtyard of a relative's home to grow. I just handled watering and spraying pesticides as usual, and the new shoots grew quite well! By autumn the survival rate of mature plants was 90%. The other 10% died from "soft rotdisease" during the high temperature and high humidity of the plum rain season ("stem rot and anthracnose" were also common). Since they were not famous varieties, I treated "them" quite ordinarily. That spring, several pots of orchids bloomed. Although the plants showed symptoms of disease, the roots of every pot of wild-collected plants could be considered top-grade, first-class quality. When introducing famous varieties, I started with medium and small seedlings (mainly for price reasons). Of course, my method of introduction was to visit renowned orchid growers with good reputations in person, so there was no question about the varieties. At first, I used "peat soil" to cultivate these medium and small seedlings, and combined with the effect of "snowmelt" water, the losses that year were very serious. This "peat soil" was mainly granular (fresh growing medium) and rooted well, but as the usage time lengthened, this "peat soil" decomposed and compacted. Once compacted, the "growing medium" let water run straight through as soon as it was poured on, making it very hard for water to penetrate; if one was not careful, it easily created a half-watered situation leading to "hollow roots." That same spring I was also experimenting with a pot of soilless "granular growing medium" (of course inspired by relevant reports; at the time I did not understand granular growing medium at all, wondering why orchids could grow in gravel). It was made of "volcanic rock" mixed with "tree fern fiber." The samecultivationenvironment, the same prevention and treatment. Of course, compared with "peat soil," the soilless "granular growing medium" definitely required special treatment in watering and fertilizing. The result was that soillesscultivationachieved good results. That year, I mixed "Jinshi (plant gold stone) * Xiandu soil, red jade stone * Xiandu soil, volcanic rock * Xiandu soil, Songji orchid stone * Xiandu soil" at 50% each, potted them in groups for experiments, and the results were very good. My feeling is that forcultivatingorchids and cymbidiums, "Jinshi" is the best, "red jade stone and volcanic rock" come next, and "Songji orchid stone" is better for planting Chunlan 'Chunjian' andLianbanorchids. Combined with gradually improved management afterward, that year passed easily through the plum rain season. To be honest, I was still not satisfied with these results, because inChunlancultivation the formulation of "growing medium" was still not scientific enough. This year, in terms of cultivation "growing medium," I adopted categorized mixing ratios: "Jinshi and Xiandu soil" at half-and-half in medium and small particle sizes (some with a little red brick granules added), with large, medium and small particles arranged from bottom to top in order (large particles being charcoal chunks used as the bottom layer instead). For cymbidiums, medium particles dominated (Jinshi * Xiandu soil); for Chunlan 'Chunjian' andLianbanorchids, I chose "Songji orchid stone" containing tree bark. Up to now, the new shoots emerging, breaking through the surface, and sending out roots have all shown delightful growth. Some orchid friends ask me why I changed to the current "granular growing medium" and no longer use "peat soil." This is determined by my cultivation environment. My orchid room is a balcony-type orchid room, which has relatively high hygiene requirements for "growing medium." This is not to say that "orchid mud" and "peat soil" are definitely bad and must be replaced by others. Therefore, I say that everyone's cultivation environment and starting point are different, and the choice of "growing medium" is also different. For example: if you want to grow two pots of ordinary orchids just to enjoy the fragrance, and you have a first-floor courtyard, then you might as well choose "orchid mud"; with proper management, the plants will certainly be vigorous with white roots. As for the veteran orchid growers who use "peat soil" in first-floor courtyards, relying on their rich management (cultivation) experience, don't they also grow orchids very well? The above answer has not actually stated the key point. In fact, there are three reasons why I chose "granular growing medium" for orchid growing: 1. It is the environmental factor mentioned above. 2. Because I often travel on business, and "granular growing medium" is easy to penetrate and drain, it does not matter if family members helping with watering give slightly more; thus, under short-term care by family members, I feel very reassured while away on business. Indeed, up to now there have been no troublesome problems. 3. The most critical point (in my personal experience) is that pathogens are easier to control than with the above "orchid mud and peat soil." In short, every kind of "growing medium" has both advantages and disadvantages. If a cultivator can formulate a "growing medium" that suits them perfectly, then for them it is undoubtedly the best "growing medium." I think that as people's living environments change (here referring to orchid enthusiasts, excluding large professional growers), those with courtyards growingorchidsand flowerswill become fewer and fewer. In that case, "granular growing medium" will be the mainstream of future development, while "orchid mud and peat soil" will quietly step down from the stage of history. Note: Orchid friends who are just starting to groworchidsplease remember, when choosing "growing medium," do not follow the "trend." Going along with what everyone says is the least advisable; choose according to your actual situation and master it well, and if so, you are already halfway to success. (Wan Yunkun)