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Growing plants is one of the best things you can do to yourself. Apart from conserving nature and doing the environment some good, you are doing something great for yourself by growing plants. Be it indoor or outdoor plants, they will purify the air around you by producing oxygen and absorbing the toxins in your atmosphere. They will also add a great ambiance and mood to your home. Looking at them is found to release stress and depression. You will observe a slow change in your inner creativity, concentration, and productivity.
As much as growing plants is considered beneficial and important, it also takes one’s effort and interest to ensure its long life. Especially, indoor plants need extra efforts to keep them alive. Orchids are one of the favorite indoor plants for many. It is loved for its amazingly beautiful flowers. The orchids require a special soil mix for good growth. Unlike other plants, these won’t grow on normal soil. A right and the perfect potting mixture is an unavoidable necessity to grow orchids at your home. You cannot wait for it to grow in normal soil. There are exclusive soil mixes available in the market for orchid growing.
Some of these soils are organic. You can opt for organic soil if you are into pure organic gardening. Make sure you purchase the soil that is compatible with your orchid kind. If you’re wondering what makes the orchid soil so unique from normal soil, the orchid compatible soil is comprised of fir barks, perlite, sphagnum moss, lava rocks, coconut husks, and fiber. Though these are the components, the price of the soil varies according to its quality. You can opt for soil type under your budget.
For potting soil, make sure you buy the right quantity. There are high chances for you to run out of the soil with just one package. So, purchase the soil package once your sort out your pot size and needed soil quantity. Orchids require proper airflow to their roots and good water consistency for hydration. Make sure the soil buy fits these criteria. Look for a soil mix that doesn’t attract insects or mites infestation. As most of the soil mix for orchids is readily usable, you can just unpack them and start potting or re-potting. We have shortlisted some of the popular and best potting soil for orchids.
10 Best Potting Soil For Orchids in 2022
1. Besgrow Orchiata Orchid Bark
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Besgrow Orchiata Orchid bark is a 100 percent pure soil mix from New Zealand. This soil mix is suitable to handle for both amateurs and planting professionals. The soil bag is of 5 liters in quantity. Many soil types form acidity. But, the Orchid soil mix maintains a pH balance to avoid the soil from acidity formation.
The soil mix also contains active micro-organisms to protect it from harmful plant pathogens. This is one of the efficient features of this soil. The Besgrow Orchid bark is of fine quality and one of the best soil mixes available in the market as the soil will not accumulate salts, eliminating the need for flushing.
The soil is brought from man-made forests in New Zealand. This will guarantee the soil’s availability in the future too, as it is renewable. The soil bark is not a composted one and is of several years old. This will make sure the water and other plant nutrients will be stored in the soil for Orchid growth.
The solid nature of the soil will also allow it to reduce the need for re-potting. It will not break into many parts easily. Your Orchid growing dream will be fulfilled with this fine quality bark. The soil will store water consistently to ensure needed hydration for Orchids. It does not contain any artificial chemicals to boost plant growth.
Pros
- Fine quality and best suited for Orchids
- Active micro-organisms to protect from plant pathogens
- Consistent hydration and solid soil mix that won’t break down
- Maintains pH balance
- Reduces re-potting needs
- No chemicals
- No salt accumulation
Cons
- Bit costly
- Quantity is less, advisable to buy additional packs for more Orchid growth
2. Espoma OR4 Organic Orchid Mix Potting Soil
If you are into organic gardening and looking for organic orchid potting soil, Espoma won’t disappoint you. The soil is best suited for orchids and bromeliads. The soil barks are kind of big, edgy, and sharp, it is, therefore, advisable to use hand gloves while opening the pack.
The soil barks will improve airflow and maintain the positive growth of your Orchids. It also has components to keep away the harmful pathogens from orchids. It is well suited for potting. Before you use the barks in the bag, you have to hydrate it by soaking.
After opening the pack, it is instructed to soak the mixture separately for a day and then drain the water before you re-pot. This should be done as the soil barks will look dry initially when opened. The soil mix is affordable, but you have to buy additional bags if you plan for planting more orchids.
Espoma’s bark and perlite soil mix will yield good orchid growth. You will observe positive changes in your orchids in a few days after re-potting. While the soil quality is termed perfect and great for orchids by many, there are rare complaints about the bark’s inferior quality.
Pros
- Organic soil barks
- Good hydration maintenance for orchids growth
- Proper airflow inside the soil
- Eliminates pathogens
- Affordable cost
Cons
- Few complaints about the barks’ low quality
- Sharp and long barks should be handled with care
3. Sun Bulb 50000 Better Gro Special Orchid Mix
Sun Bulb 50000 Better Gro Special Orchid Mix is considered the best soil for orchids. It is a popular orchid soil mix used by many. It’s fine and the best quality is suited for growing all kinds of Epiphytic Orchids. It is also suited for Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums, Paphiopedilums, and Oncidiums. The pack comes with a quantity of 4 quarts.
The soil bag contains an efficient mix of western fir bark, hardwood charcoal, and sponge rock. These components are exclusively recommended by experienced and professional orchid growers. Therefore, you can bet your money on this by expecting amazing orchid growth.
The soil mix ensures that your orchids grow healthy and proper air ventilation is provided. The superior drainage system and air ventilation to the roots will yield good orchid growth for the long term. The mix is perfect for all kinds of orchid growers like amateurs, beginners, and experienced hands.
You can use the soil mix instantly as no extra mix is required. When you re-pot, your orchids will bloom happily as the soil ensures root aeration. With all the best qualities of this soil mix aside, there are very few complaints about the mix getting easily infested by insects or mites. It is also comparatively costlier than its competitors.
Pros
- Suits both beginners and experienced
- Good aeration to roots
- Multi-purposive, suitable for all orchid kinds
- Readily usable
- Great drainage system
- A mix of bark, charcoal, and sponge rock
Cons
- Bit expensive
- Some complaints of soil getting infested by insects/mites easily
4. Perfect Plants Store All Natural Orchid Potting Mix
Orchids, as beautiful they are, require a lot of effort into growing them. Aside from the optimal weather conditions, one also needs to look out for the formula of the potting mix, including the soil and the extra components that you are using.
Amidst all the options, the Perfect Plants Store All Natural Orchid Potting Mix is a very popular and budget-friendly option that you can consider investing your money in. It is available in multiple quantity options, allowing you to buy the amount that deems the best for you.
This is an all-purpose potting mix, which means that not only can you use it for your orchids but it works for the other options too. It is formulated with charcoal, sponge rock, pine bark, and coconut chips, all of which have promising benefits in ensuring optimal aeration and water dissipation.
The textured mix of this allows the free movement of the orchid roots to ensure that they cannot just grow but expand as well, something that promotes faster growth of the orchids that you are growing.
The mix is formulated to prevent risks of suffocation in the soil, something that does happen to have issues with the growth of the orchids. Also, the textured and multiple elements in the potting mix hold the water in and ensure proper drainage so the orchid plant stays put.
As for the packaging, the product comes in a resealable bag that allows you to take your desired quantity and store the rest for future use without any further worries. The only thing you need to do is ensure how much you’d need for the process and not overfill.
Pros
- Texture and multipurpose potting mix
- Made with all-natural ingredients
- Ideal aeration and water drainage
- Comes in a resealable bag
- Budget-friendly option
Cons
- The proportion of the ingredients need to be better
5. Miracle-Gro Orchid Potting Mix Coarse Blend
Miracle-Gro Orchid potting mix is suitable for all epiphyte orchids. This includes Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Epidendrum, and Dendrobium. This fast draining mix is the best coarse blend for your orchids. It is of fine quality and nature. You can use the soil mix for potting or re-potting.
You will observe good growth with your orchids. It will bloom year after year with this right quality soil mix. The soil mix has fast-draining properties, therefore you do not have to worry about water stagnation.
Remember, water stagnation or overwatering leads to rotting of your orchid roots. The soil mix you choose should have a good drainage system to drain the water and keep the roots moist for orchids to grow. The Miracle-Gro potting mix excels in this arena.
The soil mix is suitable for feeding up to 6 months. It has properties to provide good aeration to your orchids. While the soil mix is suitable for orchids, there have been complaints from a few consumers about bugs in the soil package. The price is also slightly higher than the other soil mixes.
Pros
- Suitable for all epiphyte orchids
- Ensures root moist
- Improves aeration
- Ideal for potting and re-potting
- Growth inducing properties
Cons
- Some of the soil mix packages were found to have bugs or mites
- Price slightly higher than other brands
6. Sun Bulb 5002 Better-Gro Special Orchid Mix
Sun Bulb 5002 special orchid mix comes with a rich blend of western fir bark, hardwood charcoal, and sponge rock, making a perfect home for your orchids. This mixture is proven to ensure long life and strength to orchids to grow in both indoor and outdoor. The soil mix is suitable for all epiphytic orchids.
It is apt for orchid types including cattleyas, phalaenopsis, dendrobiums, paphiopedilums, oncidiums, etc. The soil mix has efficient properties that will make the orchid roots strong and healthy. It has a fast drainage system to eliminate water stagnation, as it will cause the roots to rot.
The soil will maintain enough hydration and moist for the orchid roots. It will improve aeration and ventilation to the roots for good growth. It is recommended to use this soil mix at least once in a year or once every 1.5 years for the stable and healthy growth of orchids. The soil mix is suitable for handle by both beginners and experienced hands.
Be it, professional orchid growers, or home growers, it is apt for anybody. The package comes with a quantity of 8 quarts. You can buy additional packages if you are planning for many numbers of orchid plants. With all the best qualities, the soil mix comes with quite an expensive cost.
Pros
- Suitable for both beginners and experienced growers
- Good drainage system
- Improves airflow and ventilation
- Suitable for all epiphytic orchids
- Ideal for potting and re-potting at home
- Maintains root moist
- Good quality
Cons
- Expensive to afford
7. Orchiata New Zealand Pinus Radiata Bark
Orchiata New Zealand Pinus Radiata Bark comes in 5 different sizes according to your Orchid type and potting needs. You can use this soil mix instantly for potting and re-potting. The barks are of the finest quality and will help your orchids bloom well with needed nutrients for growth. These barks are brought from man-made forests and of the renewable source. This will ensure its availability in the future.
The original New Zealand Pinus Radiata barks are hard and need processing to be transcended from its strong state. Orchiata barks are therefore processed in the best way for a long lasting life of Orchid growth.
The soil mix is of great trustable quality and free from all plant pathogens. This will ensure no mites or insect infestation once you transfer it to the pot. The soil will hold water and necessary nutrients consistently to provide hydration for orchid growth. The roots of orchids will have to live in the rough surface of this soil mix.
This soil mix eliminates the need for frequent re-potting, as constant single potting will yield desired results for over years. The bark is a bit expensive when compared to other soil mix brands. The soil mix does not include any artificial chemicals. It is completely chemical-free.
Pros
- Holds water and nutrients consistently
- Finest quality
- Available in different bag sizes
- No chemicals
- Soil mix will not decompose fast
- Eliminates plant pathogens
- No mites infestation
Cons
- Bit expensive
- Suits only Orchiata Orchid plants
8. Miracle-Gro Orchid Potting Mix Coarse Blend, 8 qt
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This orchid potting mix coarse blend is best suited for epiphyte orchids. This includes Phalaenopsis, Epidendrum, Cattleya, and Dendrobium. It is one of the popular soil mixes used by plant lovers for the best orchid growth. It has got 4.6 ratings among the growers. The soil mix can be used for up to 6 months.
The mix is fast draining in nature, so you don’t have to worry about water being stagnant. The soil mix is suitable for repotting your orchid plants and potting new orchids. It is appropriate during dry conditions between watering.
You will be benefitted from amazing plant growth by this soil mix. When you water the orchids, they will drain quickly with this soil mix. It is best for efficient aeration. Based on your planting needs and requirements, Orchids should be repotted every 18 to 24 months for best growth.
This particular package is an 8 Quart bag and will fill two 8-inch containers. The amounts may vary, based on the size of the root ball. You can expect the best and healthy growth for orchids when you feed them regularly with the soil mix. Overall, this soil mix is a great pick for healthy orchids with efficient root development.
Pros
- Improves aeration and growth
- Mix can be used for up to 6 months
- Water will drain efficiently
- Can fill two eight-inch pots
- Helps in strong root development
- Maintains best pH balance
- Suitable for both potting and repotting
Cons
- The amount may be less for numerous plants
9. Sun Bulb 50450 Better Gro Orchid Moss
This is one of the popular orchid soil mixes among plant lovers, and the fact is evident by the 4.7 ratings it has got out of 5. This is an organic potting mix that is very much suitable for growing orchids.
The potting mix contains sphagnum moss, which is natural and of superior quality. The mix helps orchids to retain the necessary moisture for efficient growth. The mix will prevent bacteria from affecting the orchids. You can also report seedlings using the mix as it will prevent shocks. The potting mix can also be utilized for ferns as a mounting medium.
You can use the potting mix on sick orchids too, as it will help the plant for better growth and quick recovery. It is also appropriate for younger orchids. Your orchid plants will look pretty with a good ambience as the soil mix is soft.
The easy draining nature of the soil is an advantage. It will not hold extra water while watering. The soil mix is backed by the National Orchid Society, so it is quite reliable and the best choice for your orchids. The potting mix package is available insufficient amount of 190 Cu. Make sure you use it in the right quantity for it to last for quite some months.
This is overall a trustworthy and high-quality potting mix that is also quite popular among its users. The useful features and high-quality nature of the soil mix make it the best choice.
Pros
- Promotes orchids growth
- Retains needed moisture for orchids
- Suitable for sick and young plants
- Prevents bacteria and insects
- Can last for many months
- Imported; High and natural quality
Cons
- Fewer complaints of the soil holding too much moisture
10. Espoma OR4 Organic Orchid Mix Potting Soil
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This is an organic potting soil for orchids. It is quite popular in the market for its best uses. It has got 4.6 ratings among the users. You will get 1.211 kg of this potting soil in the package, which can last for several weeks or months according to your usage.
The potting soil promotes aeration inside the pot for the orchids’ growth. It also drains water quickly and retains needed moisture for plant growth. The soil comes in a beautiful package.
It is of high quality in nature, so you can place your trust in this. It is organically approved and comes with a blend of various strains of mycorrihizia. Mycorrhiza is a good fungi that is useful to promote plant growth. The fungi will improve the growth of the orchid naturally and decrease the need for frequent watering.
The fungi will help the roots of the orchids to efficiently consume the water and nutrients poured and make the best use of it. It will result in faster plant growth with healthy and beautiful blooms. The soil comes with sharp barks, which might hurt your hands if handled carelessly. Make sure you handle it with patience.
Pros
- Organic soil and of high quality
- Improves aeration in orchids
- Drains the water efficiently
- Comes with Mycorrihizia fungi for the best plant growth
- Value for money
Cons
- Sharp barks may hurt if not handled with care
- Some complaints of soil getting infected with fungus
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Ultimate Buyer’s Guide To Choose the Right Potting Soil For Orchids
Orchids produce some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. But, this won’t happen without your fragile handle and care to make them a perfect home. When you purchase a suitable soil mix for orchids, make sure you don’t skip the below factors. Unlike normal terrestrial or indoor plants, orchids will not grow in regular soil. Apart from the perfect blend of certain ingredients, there are other factors like climate compatibility, orchid kind, soil properties you should take note. Only when all these boxes are ticked, it is assured that your orchids grow well. Once you set up the potting, you will experience the delight of blooming of beautiful orchid flowers once in a while.
1. Budget
Though the budget is a practical factor to consider before you buy anything, it is quite important for choosing the right soil mix for your orchids. Before you plan to buy a suitable soil mix for Orchid potting, you should sort out your budget. An orchid compatible soil mix of each brand has a different blend and quality and therefore is of different prices. While some come at a reasonable cost, some soil mixes are a bit expensive to afford. You can purchase the soil mix according to your budget need. If you have found the exact soil mix with amazing quality and compatibility to your orchid kind, it is recommended you purchase it, as it is quite difficult to find the right soil type for your orchid type. Still, it is totally up to your choice in the end.
2. Organic / Regular
Soil mixes are of different kinds according to the plant type. Apart from its blend of different components, the soil mix is divided into organic and inorganic. If you are into organic gardening, go for organic soil mix type for your orchid planting. Organic soil mix is comprised of elements that are rich in nutrients and will hold water consistently. These soil mixes will also eliminate the need for using pesticides or chemicals for plant growth and to keep away insects/mites. It will also have a healthy root system to boost aeration and orchid growth.
3. Climate type
There are slim chances for you to know about the relation between orchid growth and climate or weather. Orchids can grow only in temperature that it is compatible with. It is not a plant that can grow in any random temperature. It is therefore necessary to consider climate factors before you buy your orchid potting mix. Most of the Orchid’s kinds can grow well in temperature between 65 and 850 F. Your atmospheric humidity should not be less than 70 percent a day, and 30 percent at nights.
4. Soil features
The feature of the soil mix is a very important factor to note. The feature is nothing but the soil’s elements and quality. The soil elements differ between each brand. But, there are important elements that are required for healthy orchid growth. This includes fir barks, perlite, sphagnum moss, lava rocks, coconut husks, and fiber. Apart from the elements, the quality of the soil should be checked. It must be able to keep the insects and mites in the bay and improve aeration and hydration in the roots for orchid growth. There are soil mixes that are chemical-free and some even maintain a pH balance. The soil mix should also be free of harmful plant pathogens.
5. Orchid type compatibility
Many would buy the soil mix for orchid potting without knowing the orchid type and its compatibility with the soil. The enlightening information is that not all orchid types grow in a specific soil mix. The soil mix you buy might suit orchids of specific kinds, but not all kinds. It is therefore an absolute necessity to know the orchid’s soil compatibility before you randomly choose a potting mix. If you are wondering what kind of soil for orchids, you can seek help from the experienced growers or take online help from websites. While some soil mixes can be readily used, some require an additional blend of materials for making a perfect home for your orchids.
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FAQs About Potting Soil For Orchids in 2022
1. Is soaking of soil mix or bark necessary before re-potting?
Yes. You should soak your newly purchased soil at least for 10 hours before you use it for re-potting. Old soil will have the naturally existing moist and water-storage capacity, while the new bark will be dry. The new soil mix will take time to absorb water. So, it is efficient to soak it overnight to make it retain water for your orchids to grow.
2. How often should I water my orchid pot?
Unlike other plants, orchids do not require you to water it every single day. Depending upon the size of your pot, you can water it once every 6 days or once in a week. This will be apt if your pot is small in size. As your orchid soil mix should have the capacity to hold water, it will make sure there is hydration for plant growth. You do not have to water it often. Remember, too much watering can harm the roots and will result in rotting.
3. How to identify a dying orchid?
Orchids might die of too much watering. The roots of the orchids will turn brown and mushy. This indicates the rotting of orchid roots. If left unnoticed for days, this will result in the death of the plant as a whole. You have chances to save the plant if only the roots are rotten and the plant top is healthy. A healthy root will be green, firm, and strong to touch.
4. Do orchids need sunlight to survive?
Yes. Though orchids do not require direct overheated sunlight, it does require sunlight for its survival. You can simply place it in a room where there is adequate sunlight. The sunlight need not have to be direct. Indirect sunlight works great for orchids.
5. What happens when the orchid soil mix gets infested?
The bugs will usually harm the orchid’s newly formed roots. Sometimes you will not notice the immediate effect of infestation, but slowly it will affect the growth. The plant might get stunted or sometimes completely infected if there is too much infestation. Opt for a soil mix that has properties to keep away plant pathogens and bugs.
Orchids are unique plants that require constant hydration for survival. That doesn’t mean watering the plant often. Watering the plant often will result in stagnant water and the orchid roots will die in that case. The orchid roots should always be moist and hold the water. It should not get dry. Both ‘too much moisture’ and ‘no-moisture’ is dangerous for orchids. You have to keep them moist on a smart level for them to grow well. Choosing the right soil mix with aeration and root hydrating features, therefore, plays an indispensable role in keeping your orchids healthy. After you’ve done your part in choosing the best orchid potting mix all that is left is to have some patience and wait for the orchids to grow.
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I’m an avid gardener and cannabis enthusiast. You can usually find me in my garden caring for my plants or at my computer crafting helpful blogs for my readers.
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