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Originally Posted by ochidlove20
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First, Welcome!
A note... orchids, for the most part, don't grow in soil. There are some prepared orchid mixes available (as well as pots) from places like
rePotme
if one has just a few orchids. (There are many sources of pots). Once one's collection starts to get substantial, it is more economical to create one's own mixes. (I use mostly bark, in a variety of sizes... and buy it in 40-L bags, or bigger if I can, and mix in perlite from even larger bags) It is important to do one's research for each type, to tailor the mix to the needs of the orchids
in one's particular conditions - a mix (and pot) that dries out quickly for Cattleyas, Vandas. Perhaps just a little more water-retentive for Phalaenopsis. More moist for Oncidium-tribe plants. Always plenty of air. And each person has somewhat different combinations of light, air movement, humidity, temperature range, the ability/willingness to water often - or not. In any situation, there's more than one way to accomplish what the plants need, so first establish the goal, THEN look at how you're going to accomplish it.
Many people also have excellent success with inorganic media, such as LECA, volcanic rock (scoria), etc. No matter what one uses, the goal is always the same - give the plant the correct amount of moisture, and also air in the root zone. ("Correct" is that part that varies depending on the type of orchid, and environmental conditions)