Many people love growing orchids, and some flower enthusiasts have even become obsessed with them, so there have always been many experts at growing orchids. Many friends who love growing orchids like to plant some moss in the orchid pots; it is not only attractive but also has a moisture-retaining effect. Here Xiaonong will talk with everyone about how to grow moss.

The role of growing moss with orchids

Many flower enthusiasts like to put some moss in orchid pots. Besides being fairly attractive, moss also has certain effects. Moss has the effect of regulating soil acidity and alkalinity, because moss secretes an acidic substance that can adjust the pH of the soil.

Another fairly obvious effect of moss is that it retains moisture. If the potting soil becomes dry, the moss will quickly show it. It also has the effect of keeping warm and cooling down: in summer it has a cooling effect, and in winter it has a warming effect. Seen this way, moss actually has quite a big role.

However, orchids are rather delicate, and sometimes it is not suitable to cover the potting soil with moss. Because moss covering the surface of the potting soil affects the pot's air permeability, it will also cause poor root growth in orchids, so when covering, certain gaps must be left to prevent the potting soil from becoming airless.

How to grow moss?

Sourcing moss is actually very convenient, especially in southern regions, because the weather is relatively humid, and moss can be found under big trees, in relatively shady mountain forests, and around the front and back of houses. Flower enthusiasts can dig up some natural moss according to their own needs and take it home to plant.

Clean up the moss you dug up, clearing away leaves, dead branches and soil. If it can be disinfected, it is best to disinfect it to avoid fungal infection of the orchids. Then use scissors to trim the moss to the needed size, and the moss roots should be trimmed flat.

Then lay it directly on top of the orchid potting soil, taking care to press it firm, spray water appropriately, and place it in a shady spot and it will survive. In addition, be careful not to cover the potting soil too tightly, as this is not good for the potting soil's air permeability and instead affects the growth of the orchids, especially making the roots prone to rot.

Besides the direct covering method, there is also the planting method. Because moss has fairly strong vitality, wash the moss clean, cut it into pieces, then mix it into the orchid growing medium, or place it in already soaked sphagnum moss, cover it on the surface of the orchid potting soil, water it, and place it in a shady spot; generally it can grow out in two weeks.

Here let's talk about sphagnum moss. Sphagnum moss is a growing medium that many friends who grow orchids quite like to use, but it also has certain drawbacks: sphagnum moss absorbs water too well, and using too much easily affects the air permeability of the potting soil, which is not good for root growth. Also, sphagnum moss must be replaced once a year, otherwise it will cause problems such as damage to orchid roots and breeding of pathogens in the potting soil.

Growing orchids is a matter that greatly tests patience, so flower enthusiasts should not rush for quick results; only by studying carefully can you grow orchids well.

In addition, when using moss, you must consider the issue of the orchid variety, because not all orchids are suitable for having moss laid on the growing medium. If you are a beginner, you can start with epiphytic orchids for laying moss, such as Vanda, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, etc. Generally, epiphytic orchids have a stronger adaptability to moss. Terrestrial orchids, that is, the more commonly seen Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium sinense, Cymbidium goeringii, etc., have poorer adaptability to moss.

The above comes from Science Xingnong.