Advantages and Disadvantages of Soft Substrate for Orchid Planting
This article provides you with detailed experience on orchids, the pros and cons of using soft substrate for orchid planting. Let's delve into it together.
Orchid roots are tender and easily breakable, especially the crystal-like long roots called water roots, which are longer and more evenly textured. These roots are not robust and can be easily damaged during transportation or repotting. If the substrate is changed improperly, it can result in hollow roots. If you purchase an orchid with beautiful, long, and delicate crystal-like roots, they will inevitably be damaged once you get home. The more delicate and fresh the roots, the more easily they are damaged and the slower they adapt. Are these roots bad? No, they are great. Orchids with these roots grow fast, have robust growth, and high germination rates (since soft substrate retains heat better). However, they adapt slowly if transplanted and should not be easily changed. If you are growing orchids for personal enjoyment and want to plant in large pots, soft substrate is a good choice. Especially for planting cymbidiums, there is no better option.
How to Cultivate Robust Roots with Soft Substrate?
1. It is necessary to mix inorganic hard substrates like orchid stones into the soft substrate (since soft substrates tend to decompose and acidify, while mixing in hard substrates has a comprehensive effect).
2. Control water. If the soft substrate is too wet, it can lead to the growth of water roots and root rot. If too dry, some parts may not absorb water properly, leading to hollow roots. Mixing in a certain amount of hard substrate makes it easier to control water in the early autumn, ensuring uniform water absorption, making the roots robust and easier to divide for propagation!
3. It's best not to fertilize with soft substrate, as it can easily lead to black or hard roots if done improperly.
I still prefer hard substrates; they are more convenient to manage. Whether the water is more or less, it doesn't matter! I used to grow several pots of plants with soft substrate, which germinated early and grew fast. However, once the management was not up to par, problems would arise. Now, I have gradually replaced them or mixed in a large amount of hard substrates, with only a few pots of cymbidiums still using soft substrate. My soft substrate is fine-washed peat mixed with some used fine-grained hard materials, which grows well but requires more repotting. Fine-washed peat is a great material, but I've never seen it sold online. Don't use those peat blocks.
Knowing certain theories about orchid care is a good thing and necessary, but theory is not for copying; it is for practical application combined with personal experience. Gradually explore and summarize, and you will find a method that suits you.
Practice makes perfect. Others' experiences can only be used for reference. I recommend using hard substrates, as they are convenient and less likely to cause problems.
If you want more and earlier sprouts with fast growth, you can gradually add a moderate amount of soft substrate. Fine-washed peat is the best choice. Its insulation and moisturizing effects cannot be compared with others!
The above is the specific content about the pros and cons of using soft substrate for orchid planting. If it brings you any help, remember to visit our website often!