Orchids are among the most beautiful and popular flowers. There are over 25,000 varieties, all with different shapes and colors. Native to tropical forests, orchids are now sold worldwide and are popular gift flowers.
Most orchids are epiphytic plants . This means that they are species that live in their natural habitat by anchoring themselves to trees or rocks, instead of being buried like almost all other plants.
So, if you grow your orchid in a pot with potting soil , its roots may end up rotting, because they need aeration.
This is why choosing the right pots for orchids is essential. For orchids we need small pots, which can be of the following types:
Clear plastic pots : These are best suited for orchids whose roots alert us when it is time to water the plant. Keeping an eye on their root system is essential to their survival, especially if they are kept indoors.
Wire mesh pots : they allow the roots to breathe better, and their design allows them to be easily hung high up, which is particularly useful for aesthetic reasons but also to be able to place the plant in well-lit areas.
Wooden pots : They are made from a special type of wood that does not rot. Its design includes small holes that improve both root breathing and drainage. It is advisable to cover the inner walls of the pot with moss before adding the substrate
Choosing the right substrate is also essential to be able to plant potted orchids and make them last a long time.
There are three main types of orchid substrates, which vary depending on the type of orchid and all have in common the lack of soil.
The most suitable substrates consist of a mixture of permite, charcoal and coconut fiber or fir bark. Below we list the main types of substrate for orchids.
Coarse Mix: This substrate is particularly good for Cymbidium orchids and other larger species.
Mixed medium: recommended for Cattleya and Phalaenopsis species.
Fine Mix: Recommended for Oncidiums, Paphiopedilums and all other orchids that need more humidity due to their small roots.
Now that you know how to choose a pot and substrate for your orchids , try growing them right away to make them grow faster and last longer.