Bark for orchids - selection and preparation

The orchid is considered the most capricious ornamental plant. When purchasing a beautiful flower for your home, you should follow a number of rules for its care. The plant is grown using a special substrate. The main component is the bark, which is sold in any specialty store. If you wish, you can make it yourself, following the special instructions.

What is it for

Indoor decorative flower is grown in a special substrate. Pine bark is best for orchids. As a rule, the substrate differs in its parameters. And for each type of orchid, one or another type of bark is suitable. An important role is played by climatic conditions that affect the growth of a decorative flower.

Almost all types of orchids are planted in a crushed substrate.

If you independently mix the planting substrate based on the bark, then you must follow the instructions. In addition, you should take into account the recommendations of experienced florists:

• the composition of the soil for phalaenopsis should contain high-quality deciduous or fresh pine bark;
• home orchids grow well on pine and oak bark;
• if a decision is made to purchase a ready-made planting soil in the form of a substrate for growing indoor orchids, then its qualitative composition must be studied carefully even in a flower shop;
• the crust is needed for a mixture of planting substrate, not only for growing an orchid, but also for covering the top layer in a pot for decorative purposes.

The bark for orchids from deciduous trees is not used, which is mainly due to its inaccessibility and insufficiently high quality characteristics.

Views

Which bark is best for orchids? Experts recommend using raw materials from conifers for growing an ornamental plant. These include pine, spruce. Domestic growers prefer to use the first option. According to them, spruce has a more resinous wood.

What kind of bark is needed for decorative orchids? As a rule, the material is taken from a dried tree:

• the material peels off freely, which means it is the most suitable;
• the bark is impregnated with resin, which kills harmful pathogens;
• this material does not contain harmful substances. The presence of larvae can sometimes be noticed. To eliminate them, special chemicals are used.

Which is better: making it yourself or buying a ready-made one?

It is rather difficult to answer the question of which bark is suitable for orchids. Some people think that it is better to use ready-made material. As a rule, a ready-made mixture containing bark and other useful components is presented on the market. This is the best alternative to any processing, preparation and preparation of the substrate. Other growers believe that it is better to prepare the bark on your own, then there is no doubt about its quality.

How to handle it yourself

What bark can be used for orchids: popular manufacturers

There are many types of decorative flower substrates on the market. Among the wide assortment, the products of the following manufacturers are distinguished:

• "Seramis"

The company "Seramis" offers a mixture, which is dominated by not only bark, but also clay, fertilizers and moisture indicator. Correctly selected components will allow you to grow a healthy flower at home.

• "Bio Effect"

This soil has been sold on the market for more than a dozen years. Bio Effect is in great demand. The mixtures contain a number of organic components that interact perfectly with each other. One of the important and useful substances is the bark of the Angara pine, which provides good air permeability.

• Royal Mix

The main component is the calibrated crust. When preparing the substrate, the manufacturer has carried out a thorough processing using a thermal method. In addition to this component, it contains a number of other useful substances:

• coconut fiber;
• charcoal;
• coarse peat;
• magnesium;
• iron;
• zinc.

The unique properties of the above substances contribute to the normalization of the microclimate. Therefore, the flower will grow rapidly and bloom for a long time.

Self-preparation of the substrate

Many people often wonder how to prepare pine bark for orchids on their own? When preparing the bark for the substrate, you must first collect and grind it.

How to cook a substrate with your own hands

Initially, you need to take a large piece of tree bark, previously cleaned of dust. Then remove a small layer from the inside using a pruner. Then you need to cut the material into pieces, removing the top layer, which easily peels off. With the help of a pruner, it is necessary to carefully cut off the rotten areas, carefully examining the pieces and cleaning all the affected areas with insects. Only then can the workpieces be cut into 2 cm cubes.

After cutting the material into cubes, it needs to be sorted.

Correct boiling and drying

You can cook the bark for home orchids with your own hands by boiling it to disinfect it. In this way, not only microorganisms but also resin residues can be removed. This will require a galvanized bucket. Pieces of raw materials must be folded into a container and filled with cold water (10 l).

The boiling process lasts up to 40 minutes. After the specified time has passed, remove the bucket from the heat and wait until the water has cooled. It will have to be drained through a colander and wait until it is completely drained.

It is recommended to dry the bark in natural conditions. To begin with, you will have to lay it out on a dry surface, and then leave it for 3-4 weeks. To determine dryness, one piece must be broken. If the inside of the wood is damp, then you need to leave it to lie down for another day in a well-ventilated area.

How to roast in the oven

The dried pieces must be placed in a microwave or oven, which is heated to 78 ° C. If fried in this way, it will contribute to the destruction of larvae and pathogenic bacteria. You need to fry for at least 40 minutes.

Adding additional components to the substrate

What kind of bark is needed for an orchid transplant? In the manufacture of a nutrient substrate, such components are used as:

• tree bark;
• sphagnum marsh moss;
• peat;
• charcoal.

All of these components are taken in equal proportions. Mix them thoroughly to get the finished mass. The resulting substrate has excellent breathability, moisture retention and is suitable for growing beautiful, graceful orchids.

How to plant a flower correctly

Often, beginners are interested in the question of how and in which bark an orchid should be planted. Which one is described above, and the landing process is below.

Planting a flower in a pot

It is recommended that you take a sanitized pot in which the drainage layer is placed. The thickness should not exceed 2 cm. A new substrate with bark is added to the surface of the drainage (store or self-prepared). Next, the ornamental plant must be placed in a pot. The base of the orchid should be 1-1.5 cm below the edge of the container. At the end, it will remain to carefully add the soil.

The bark is an essential and essential component of the nutrient medium for orchids. Such a soil has a positive effect on the growth and development of the plant. Therefore, the main task of the florist is the correct selection of bark from pine or other tree. It is important to know how to pre-prepare it and skillfully process it before planting a flower.