Orchid Compost – Which To choose For Your Orchid?

Dendrobiums: The purpose of a potting medium for this type is to hold it upright and give it some moisture. It won’t grow in regular potting soil. As they are a type of Epiphyte (air plants) they need another plant as host. They like mixes that contain composted bark or peat moss as the air needs to be able to flow around the roots easily. Some charcoal can also help your Dendrobium to grow well.

Catteleya: Needs a type of compost which will promote air circulation and also hold water for the roots. The size of the orchid roots will help you choose the size of your medium. The larger the roots are, the larger the medium should be. To help the air circulate a non-porous inorganic filler should be utilized. If using bark you need to also consider the use of charcoal as this will absorb many organic compounds dissolved in gases and liquids, helping to extend the life of the medium. When re potting make sure you don´t use a dry unsoaked mix as this will take moisture from the roots, thus stressing the orchid.

Paphiopedilum: These thrive in a slightly damp environment. A lot of people use a fine pine bark mix with some sphagnum moss to help keep the water in. Expanded clay aggregate pellets or lava rock also work, but will require more watering.

Phalaenopsis: The least fussy of the orchid world, and can be grown in most potting media including bark, Styrofoam, clay aggregate pellets, charcoal, perlite and sphagnum moss.

 

On our website we offer the following mixes:

OrchidFocus Repotting compost - Composed of graded bark, blended with coconut fibre chips of several sizes. This complex matrix maintains a superb balance of air and moisture that is ideal for most popular orchid species and hybrids.

Specialist Orchid Compost - A superior compost made from bark and processed granules of volcanic rock. This ensures a high water to air ratio as required by most orchids.

We also offer Coarse (used in the bottom of pots for extra drainage) and Fine Coco Disks (ideal as a soil amendment).



Why not try out our Orchid Repotting Kit   £7.29
Our Orchid Repotting Kit contains:

• 17 cm  or 15cm clear orchid pot and separate saucer - improved design to assist air flow and drainage.
• Orchid Focus Repotting compost Mix – premium quality growing medium.
• 100 ml bottle of Quality Orchid  Feed, to encourage the growth of healthy shoots and leaves and to improve flowering.
• A selection of  2 decorative plant clips. colour may vary.
• Comes with full instructions for repotting your prized orchid!