What's a good "soil" for terrestrials?

[Optimist]

It really depends. Bessia Phragmapediums like sand or mud. Certain small Paphiopedilums like larger rocks under leaf litter and a bit of dirt (potting soil). I have my mottled leaf paphs in fish tank gravel (small size). I throw in a teaspoon of potting soil in most of my mixes. (Heresy, I know! But it keeps the roots moist better than sphagnum).

I feel the best way to do it is to create Layers. Get a large enough planter to go a bit deep (with air holes/drainage). Put larger rocks or busted up pots on the bottom. I have often gotten that plastic window screen or burlap to keep all the medium from running out of the holes. Then put medium-small, and then finally the plant and potting mix whatever that may be.

[Roberta]

I do have a related species, Pecteilis sagarikii, which has re-grown a second year. I just use a potting soil mixed with perlite and/or pumice, maybe a little sand... I would not prescribe this as the correct mix, the evidence will be if it comes up for another year. (These terrestrials that go completely dormant are sort of an act of faith...never know if it is going to survive until it does) But so far this mix seems to be working. I will start watering soon (am lightly misting) and hope that it wakes up.

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[Bulbopedilum]

Thanks for all the help. From the article estacion seca got, I could read that it grows in open grassy meadows and teak forests.

It also states that around the orchid is decomposing material. Leaves and sticks.

So I'm going to do garden soil and some leaf litter, maybe throw in some gravel as well. There's a grassy meadow and a teak forest near me. Maybe I can see what kind of soil they have and try to replicate it.

[Bulbopedilum]

Look what I found
youtube(dot)com/watch?v=18PLgR2zQIA

I turned up the video quality to 720p... for looking at the ground. I bet only orchid people do that .

It seems like most of it is just leaves. I keep hearing crunching leaves every time he takes a step.
So, I prepared a mix of 3:2 Soil, crunched leaves. I'll take a picture.

The plant is due in a few days!

---------- Post added at 07:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:34 PM ----------

EDIT:
Found something even better: youtube(dot)com/watch?v=hknKXYIAiHo

[Bulbopedilum]

I made this

Does it look good?