This potting mix has been used to grow orchids for years, and they thrive without any fertiliser

Everyone who grows orchids understands one principle: to grow orchids well, the potting medium is the first hurdle to clear, and it is the most important thing of all. So, to grow orchids well, you must find a medium suited to orchid growth. The medium below is one I have used for many years, and the results will truly delight you beyond expectation.

I started growing orchids in the 2000s. At first I changed the potting medium again and again, but the orchids simply would not grow well: they either dried up or rotted at the roots, and often died within a few months. Later, guided by a friend, I got to know a master who is very famous in orchid-growing circles, and it was he who told me how to choose the medium needed to grow orchids well. From then on, my orchids have improved year after year. Now several pots of orchids have gone several years without fertiliser and without a soil change, and they still grow beautifully. Now, in the spirit of sharing, I will introduce the orchid medium I use, so that everyone can grow orchids well.

Because geographical locations differ from place to place, the media needed for growing orchids vary enormously, and there are all kinds. Some people use special granular media, and some mix several media together. These orchid media generally have very single functions and cannot cover everything. For example, some media only care about air permeability while neglecting the nutrient and beneficial bacteria content in the medium. And some media are very troublesome to prepare, beyond the reach of the average orchid grower. The medium I use, however, is very simple: just mix three media commonly used for growing flowers. Mix 30% leaf mould, 40 portions decomposed pine needles and 30% coarse sand, and it is ready for transplanting orchids.

I have used this medium for many years, and it really is very good: you can go several years in a row without fertilising, and the plants grow even better than fertilised ones. When transplanting, however, you still need to line the bottom of the pot with crushed brick and similar material, to allow better air flow and drainage. This medium is loose, airy and fertile, and contains the various nutrients orchids need to grow as well as orchid-beneficial bacteria. Grown in it, orchid roots become especially thick and strong, new shoots emerge year after year without fail, and flowering goes without saying: it is absolutely excellent. These media are generally sold at flower markets or online, and for beginners growing orchids they can easily solve problems such as root rot and yellow leaves,