Quick Answer: What Do I Plant Phalaenopsis Orchids In?

In native conditions, moth orchids grow on trees as epiphytes—a type of plant that requires a host plans. Instead of regular soil, they need potting material that mimics a host tree or comes from a tree, such as ground fir tree bark, redwood bark chips, or Monterey pine bark chips. Most bark potting media will work.

What kind of soil do I put orchids in?

Depending on the type of orchid, they can be happy growing in peat moss, fir bark, dried fern roots, sphagnum moss, rock wool, perlite, cork nuggets, stones, coconut fiber, lava rock or a blend that combines several of these materials.

What is the best potting medium for Phalaenopsis?

Texas A&M University botanists, however, say their Phalaenopsis orchids thrive best in a potting mix that is 80% fir bark and 20% coarse sphagnum peat.

What is the best thing to plant orchids in?

Use Orchid Pots They’re full of holes to expose the roots to more air. However, no special pot is needed; a terra-cotta or plastic pot will work just fine for most orchids.

Can you plant Phalaenopsis orchids in dirt?

Natural Habitat. While terrestrial orchids grow in the ground, Phalaenopsis orchids are epiphytes, which means they attach their roots to other plants rather than growing in dirt. They need a similar set-up in a home garden — and that means no dirt.

Can I use regular potting soil for orchids?

Gardeners new to orchid growing soon realize that healthy orchids don’t grow in regular potting soil. It’s too dense, doesn’t drain thoroughly enough, and most orchids actually grow in the air—the medium is just there to give the roots something to cling to.

Can I plant my orchid in soil?

Orchids require a different type of potting medium than what our typical houseplants do. They are therefore potted in normal potting soil. To pot an orchid in this kind of soil would ultimately suffocate its roots and kill the plant because soil cannot provide the needed airflow to the roots to survive.

What is the best mix for repotting orchids?

With good reason, the most popular of orchid potting mixes is fir bark. Fir bark is a well-draining potting medium that allows for air circulation around the orchid’s roots, and it also has some water retention capability. Additionally, pine bark decays slowly so you can wait to re-pot every one to two years.

Is charcoal good for phalaenopsis?

Is wood charcoal good for your orchids? Charcoal is an excellent potting medium for orchids since it eliminates odor, breaks down the buildup of bacteria, absorbs the salt residue (therefor reduces the risk of root burn) and doesn’t degrade.

When should I repot my phalaenopsis orchid?

As a general rule, repot plants every two years after flowering and when new growth appears. Usually a plant will lose one or two leaves at the bottom every year and gain one or two leaves at the top. Repot spring through fall.

How do you grow Phalaenopsis?

Set your Phalaenopsis orchid in a window that faces east or south, or any place in your home with bright indirect sunlight. The room where you place your orchid should have a minimum humidity level of 70%. Place the pot on a tray with a layer of wet gravel to maintain high humidity.

Where is the best place to put an orchid?

The ideal spot for growing orchids is either south or east-facing windows. Usually west windows are too hot while northern windows are too dark. Placing orchids under artificial lights is the last resort if you can’t find a good location to grow your orchids.

Where should I put orchids inside?

Indirect sunlight is best. So one of the best places to keep your orchid is near a north- or east-facing window. If your living room has west-facing windows, it’s best to place it farther away from the window on a table or shelf.

Can orchids grow without soil?

Orchids. Most tropical orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants instead of in soil. Many orchids sold as houseplants come in a planting medium, such as moss or stones, but they will grow just as easily on a piece of bark once their roots take hold.