Which tree barks are commonly used for growing Phalaenopsis orchids and how to treat them

Many friends are growing Phalaenopsis orchids. This flower looks ethereal and graceful, but there is one key to growing it - you have to use tree bark as the growing medium! Everyone is curious: what kind of tree bark is used for growing Phalaenopsis orchids? And how should it be treated?

The bark most commonly used for growing Phalaenopsis orchids is pine bark. Why is pine bark so popular? Because pine bark is relatively loose in texture, and its air permeability and water permeability are excellent! The root system of Phalaenopsis orchids is different from that of other flowers. It has aerial roots and loves this kind of environment where it can “breathe freely.” If ordinary soil is used, the air permeability is poor, and the roots of Phalaenopsis orchids are prone to suffocating and rotting. Pine bark also has another advantage: during the process of decay and decomposition, it can slowly provide nutrients to the Phalaenopsis orchid, simply killing two birds with one stone! Besides pine bark, fir bark and oak bark are also occasionally used to grow Phalaenopsis orchids. They likewise have good air permeability and water retention, but pine bark is still the most commonly used.

After getting the bark, you cannot just stuff it directly into the flower pot; it must be properly treated. The first step is to spread the bark out, inspect it carefully, pick out impurities and small stones, and throw away any bark that has become moldy or spoiled. If the bark pieces are too large, use a tool to break them into small pieces, about 2 to 3 cm in size, which makes them easier to use later.

Next, the bark needs to be disinfected. After all, bark in the wild may harbor bacteria, insect eggs, and the like. There are several disinfection methods, and the most commonly used is boiling. Find a large pot, put the treated bark in, add enough water, bring it to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about half an hour. Boiling at high temperature like this can kill most bacteria and insect eggs. After boiling, take the bark out and put it in a well-ventilated place to dry.

Another disinfection method is soaking in a carbendazim solution. Prepare a carbendazim solution of the appropriate concentration according to the instructions, put the bark in to soak, and the soaking time should be about 20 to 30 minutes. After soaking, take it out and likewise put it in a ventilated place to dry. After drying, the bark is best placed under the sun to bake for two or three days, using ultraviolet rays to further sterilize it and give the bark a thorough all-around cleaning.

The treated bark can then be used to grow Phalaenopsis orchids! Gently place the Phalaenopsis orchid into the flower pot, fill in around the roots with bark, and be careful not to press it too firmly; keep it loose. As long as the bark is treated properly and a comfortable “home” is provided for the Phalaenopsis orchid, this flower can grow lush and produce beautiful blooms.