Phalaenopsis belongs to the genus of epiphytic orchids. Often a flowering plant (twice a year from two to five months) is popular with plant lovers.
An orchid of the genus epiphyte grows in the tropics. It differs in that during growth it settles on other plants. The flower feeds on bark, rain and air. Its roots are inherent in photosynthesis.
Where does it grow in nature?
Phloenopsis reproduces independently in its natural habitat.. Tourists will see many orchids in the rainforest that will hang everywhere. If you attach the roots to another plant, the phalaenopsis will adapt and start growing. Thick roots accumulate nutrients and fluid.
Why is it important to plant in the best substrate?
To choose the right ground one should understand how it differs from the soil or the ground, for example:
- Land - this is a loose mineral coating with everything alive on the planet.
- The soil - it is a fruitful component of the earth with deposits from plant and animal organisms. This is a natural place for plant growth.
Priming - This is the mineral and natural component of the earth, and artificially created for gardening. It contains a lot of organic matter, fertile for plants.- Substrate - artificial culture medium for seedlings, in which there may be no soil. Literally - this is lat. sub - under and stratum - layer - base, bedding (for example, bark, peat). The main task is to supply the plant with nutrients. Thanks to the substrate, the plant receives air.
Priming - This is the mineral and natural component of the earth, and artificially created for gardening. It contains a lot of organic matter, fertile for plants.In reality, these concepts are confused in flower shops. Purchased substrate may contain land. Ordinary soil for phalaenopsis is not suitable, as the plant does not need land.
Based on the conditions of its growth at home, it only needs a place to anchor the roots. Often a plant simply wraps its roots around a tree and gets moisture out from under the bark.
What composition is needed?
For planting, the bark is ground, boiled in a water bath and carefully dried. Large pieces of bark should be placed in the center of the pot so that there is less excess moisture. Peat for phalaenopsis should be with large fibers and low salt composition.
Fuel is recommended not to grind fossil. Charcoal adjusts the amount of incoming moisture. But over time, he collects a considerable amount of salt. Florists add it very scrupulous. With further prikormke plants can not add coal.
Shop goods
In the modern world, it is even possible to purchase a substrate in flower shops. Despite the country of origin, should be carefully acquainted with the composition.
What should it consist of?
Orchid soil should not contain land.. If the store sold the substrate to the ground, then you can sift it.
The composition of the purchased nutrient medium may include all of the above components:
- pine bark;
- wood chips;
- peat;
- charcoal;
- small sphagnum moss.
How to determine good quality?
Not all purchased soil can have a beneficial effect on phalaenopsis. Therefore, when buying you need to be careful. Pieces of bark should be whole, dense, flawlessup to three centimeters. They should not crumble in the hands.
The size of the charcoal should be about two centimeters, so as not to crumble too. In qualitative soil, moss is thoroughly dried and disinfected. Substrate should not be similar to the hardened clod of earth. If there is land in the composition, it will accumulate moisture and the air in it will cease to circulate. In the package you can not notice the dust and moldy pieces, which will adversely affect the growth of orchids.
How to choose correctly?
At the time of purchase, you must carefully read the label.. It is important to have a composition with a list of components, as well as a note that the substrate is suitable for epiphytic orchids. It is not necessary to have nutrients for phalaenopsis. Artificial foam is also suitable for their growth.
The best substrate is dried in 3 days. Properly selected soil will make the flower beautiful and lush. Inexpensive and low-quality component will lead to the death of a favorite orchid.
Description of several prepared soils
- Saramis from Germany. The soil consists of small empty clay lumps. They give the flower moisture instead of pine bark. The great advantage of pellets is good air circulation, which affects the strength of the roots. The substrate is suitable for many types of phalaenopsis.
Auriki Gardens. In addition to pine bark and charcoal, the soil contains coconut chips, fiber of this nut and sphagnum. For successful application, drainage is required on the bottom of the pot.- Effect and EffectBio. Natural substrate without excess impurities. Provides good air circulation and moisture to adult flowers. Trace elements (magnesium, nitrogen and potassium) together with pine bark make flowering longer.
- Flower happiness. Suitable for all types of orchids. Differs in good aeration and moisture capacity.
Auriki Gardens. In addition to pine bark and charcoal, the soil contains coconut chips, fiber of this nut and sphagnum. For successful application, drainage is required on the bottom of the pot.How to make your own hands at home?
Preparing the substrate at home is easy thanks to the Internet and the knowledge gained. The magnitude of the components is directly proportional to the thickness of the roots: thicker - more.
What does it include?
Components of home soil similar to the purchase. The structure includes:
- spruce or pine bark;
- moss;
- charcoal;
- peat;
- fern root.
The composition is prepared before transplantation. Pre-mix the soil can not.
Comparison with the purchase
When comparing the soil: from the store and your own - it is impossible to assess. In the store already strictly complied with the proportions and rules of cooking. The ingredients are natural, but the quality does not always meet expectations. In the substrate made at home you will be sure.
However, there is an obstacle - not all components are easy to get. The best option for phalaenopsis is from the store with the addition of its own components.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of making home ground:
- budget cost;
- high and reliable quality;
- selection of components specifically for the plant variety;
- respect for proportions.
Cons of this soil is less, but they are:
- Some components are hard to get.
- Another disadvantage concerns pine bark. There is a chance to bring insects into the house, and the search and preparation of the bark itself is a difficult process.
Where to get the components?
Pine bark can be obtained in the forestpreferably from felled trees or near them. So the amount of tar will be less. Coal is one of the simplest components. It can be found on the campfire site after tourists have a rest.
Peat is difficult to get, so you can buy it in specialized stores. Background components for soil are also collected in the forest.
Important! Sphagous moss can be found in deep pits. However, you must be careful when collecting, as there is a risk of failing to 15-20 meters. Another way to get the plant is in small marshes after the snow melts in spring. Moisture promotes the growth of moss. Leafy ground is rotten leaves or a decomposed layer of old needles.
How to make: step by step instructions
For the manufacture of the substrate will need a scapula, scissors, knife and packages. Some time will take the preparation of components:
- Moss should be filled with water for one day and then dried.
- The bark is crushed into chips and sterilized on the steam bath for half an hour. Next - dry.
- Coal is crushed into pieces of two centimeters.
Peat is also divided into small particles.- Fern root is washed in warm water, poured boiling water and then dried.
Peat is also divided into small particles.Popular Substrate Preparation Methods:
- Coal and bark in a ratio of 1: 5.
- Coal, moss, pine chips in a ratio of 1: 2: 5.
- Peat and bark in equal proportion with ⅓ deciduous land.
Ready soil should not be too dense.
Possible consequences
Improperly selected or prepared soil will damage phalaenopsis roots.. Because of the dense substrate, the orchid may rot.
A dying flower can be reanimated by transplanting with a new ground.
For a luxurious, healthy plant and constant flowering responsibility for the choice of soil will not be superfluous. Without the correct substrate, serious problems will arise in the care of phalaenopsis, even the death of a flower. Care in the purchase or manufacture of soil will bring beautiful fruits floriculture.
