Does anyone have a good orchid DIY mix? I don't want to purchase an orchid mix. I currently have it in 2 parts soil, 1 part perlite and 1 part orchid bark but I believe it’s getting root rot) I already have perlite, LECA, soil, pon, sphagnum moss, and orchid bark so I know I can make my own mix. What do the orchid people recommend?
i just do straight orchid bark and mine love it! moss or houseplant soil mixes can cause root rot from holding too much water. orchid roots love to feel a little air on their roots :)
5 likes How often do you have to water?
1 likemine are usually good weekly/ bi-weekly. but definitely water when the roots look like an ashy pale green. it’s not recommended to stick to a specific watering schedule but mine are about 5 years old and the consistency has worked well for me. i put them in the bathtub and drench the orchid bark until it starts draining out, careful not to get any water pooling inside the center of the leaves, they can rot in the center.
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NO NORMAL SOIL! you are 100% giving it root rot right now. i hear good things about orchid bark. i've only ever grown mine in air.
2 likes In air?? I've never heard of that before, interesting! Can you give me more information? How do you water? And how often?
0 likes yes in air! (most) orchids are epiphytic, they don't need substrate at all. some fare better than others in air, but i've grown phalaenopsis in air too. watering is a 10-20 minute soak whenever the roots go silver, usually every 2ish days for smaller orchids and 3-4 for larger ones. they just chill on my desk or a shelf the rest of the time. they love it. i've saved one from root rot this way
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Oooo… I’m going to try this!!! Thanks 😊
1 likeI use straight orchid bark. My local orchid society recommends orchiata brand, which has a bunch of sizes and add-ins for different orchid species and making custom mixes. Repotme also has a great selection of orchid specific supplies. As for growing them in just air, you can mount the roots onto wood (natural cork is the usual type) as it would be in the wild, or you could use a basket or hook and grow it like a vanda. If you want to try mounting on wood, the easiest way to find them is looking for terrarium supplies; pet shops are pretty much the only in-person places that stock raw cork
1 like Nice! Thank you for the help!
1 like