Orchids don't need soil; 3 free materials can grow strong roots and fragrant flowers

When growing orchids, learning from the orchid-growing seniors around us not only lets us pick up many practical care tips, but also broadens our horizons. Before I grew orchids, as a novice gardener I thought orchids were grown in soil, and I believe many orchid owners thought the same. After talking with the seniors, I found that what they use to grow orchids basically contains no "soil."

1. A dazzling array of "orchid growing media"

When I say no soil, I mean the media they use to grow orchids are all kinds of things, many of them mixed themselves, such as bark, stones, bricks and so on, with soil making up only a very small proportion. Next, let's take a look at these eye-opening "orchid growing media."

2. "Bark" orchid growing medium

The first medium is the bark in the plastic bag shown below. This bark is almost fully decomposed bark; once you take it home, just give it a little processing and it can serve as a great medium for growing orchids. Bark has excellent drainage and air permeability, and paired with a little fine soil plus a root-strengtheningorganic fertilizer, it gives very good results for growing orchids.

However, processing the bark involves these simple steps: first, boil it once and sun-dry it a bit to sterilize and disinfect it; second, take it and let it decompose, and only after it is completely decomposed can it be used for potting. Using fresh bark for potting will release heat and burn the orchid's roots. If so, I don't really recommend that novice flower growers try it. If you want to use bark, that's fine too, buy ready-made bark soil or get some from a friend.

3. "Pine cones" orchid growing medium

The second medium is the black, densely packed stuff in the picture below. You may not recognize it, but these are already processed "pine cones." After bringing the pine cones home and sterilizing and disinfecting them, crush them, then ferment and decompose them, and they become a great treasure for growing orchids. When using them, you can grow orchids with this formula: bark (2 parts) + pine cones (6 parts) + fine soil (2 parts). Rooting and blooming are both good.

4. "Stones" orchid growing medium

The third medium is the stones in the picture below, all small stones that an orchid owner picked up himself. Actually, when growing orchids, putting a layer of stones at the bottom of the pot and a layer of stones on the surface of the potting soil is fairly common. This orchid owner mixes these stones into the orchid growing medium, which is relatively rare.

Of course, his stones have also been sterilized and disinfected. Before use, it is best to soak them in water, wash them clean and remove their heat. When potting, also use large particles for the bottom layer, with bark (3 parts) + stones (3 parts) + fine soil (3 parts) in the middle, and just cover the top with stones. Growing orchids with this formula basically requires no water control; in this season, watering 1-2 times a day is no problem.

It is not hard to see that no matter how they mix it, they always use some fine soil. Fine soil makes the roots brighter and more translucent, and can also make flower colors truer and floral fragrance stronger. Before novice orchid owners mix their own soil, it is best to ask the experienced orchid-growing seniors first.