How to choose orchid potting medium? Key points for selecting potting medium for growing orchids

To groworchidswell, the potting medium is the foundation. How should one choose a potting medium suitable fororchidgrowth? Based on years of experience ingrowing orchids, the author shares some personal views. I. Potting medium should match the orchid pot At present, most people growingorchidschoose clay pots, purple clay pots, ceramic pots, etc. Because these orchid pots differ in air permeability, the potting medium chosen for growingorchidsalso differs. Clay pots, because of their excellent air permeability and drainage and good moisture retention, can use a somewhat finer potting medium; when choosing purple clay pots or ceramic pots to groworchids, because their air permeability is poor, and in summer and autumn, affected by the weather, the pots absorb heat quickly and release it slowly, a somewhat coarser potting medium can be used. In short, the potting medium should match the size and depth of the orchid pot, and should be determined according to the type of orchid pot. II. Selection of potting medium Based on the author's experience, first, reasonably select humus soil from the orchid's native habitat. Black humus soil containing withered branches and fallen leaves in mountain rock crevices, or humus soil from the surface of pine forest land on the mountains, is most suitable, as it can both increase theorchid'snutrients and benefit the growth of the orchid root system. Second, mix in a small amount of brick granules. It is best to use blue brick granules. Before use, first soak the brick granules in water for 3 to 5 days to remove the alkaline substances and excess heat in the brick granules, thereby enhancing the brick granules' own air permeability and water absorption; using them to grow orchids means the roots will not turn black or rot, and variegated-leaf orchids will not lose their variegation. Third, use coal cinders appropriately. Because coal cinders are produced by high-temperature burning and still contain a large amount of alkaline substances and excess heat after cooling, before use the coal cinders must be soaked for a few days to remove the alkaline substances, then left to dry for later use; coal cinders that have been tempered are absolutely harmless to orchids. Fourth, cleverly use fired turf soil. Turf soil that has been roasted at low temperature contains a large amount of phosphorus and potassium fertility, as well as a small amount of trace elements such as manganese, iron and calcium; if used to grow variegated-leaf orchids, the orchid plants are robust, produce a relatively high degree of variegation and are relatively stable. III. The potting medium ratio should be appropriate If a clay pot is chosen as the orchid pot and humus soil from the native habitat is chosen as the potting medium, the humus soil from the native habitat should account for 70% of the mixed potting medium, and a small amount of charcoal pieces or brick granules should be used at the bottom of the pot. If a purple clay pot or ceramic pot is chosen as the orchid pot and brick granules or coal cinders are chosen as the potting medium, their proportion of 40% to 60% is relatively moderate, mixed with 30% to 40% pond mud, and a small amount of foam fragments is used at the bottom of the pot. If fired turf soil is chosen as the main potting medium, its proportion can be between d% and 70%, used mixed with charcoal pieces and brick granules. (Excerpted from China Flower News, Luo Kangning)