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-   -   What's a good "soil" for terrestrials? (http://www.orchidboard.com/community/beginner-discussion/97107-whats-soil-terrestrials.html)

Bulbopedilum 03-23-2018 06:46 AM

What's a good "soil" for terrestrials?
 
I'm planning to order a Pecteilis susannae this week but I don't really know what kind of potting mix to use, just in case the vendor sends the plants bare-root.

Does anybody know any good potting mixes? Preferrable ones that don't have too many different components.
I'm thinking 4:2:1 Garden soil, bark, stones. Would this work?

Ray 03-23-2018 07:26 AM

Why stones?

I find sphagnum is a great medium for terrestrials.

Bulbopedilum 03-23-2018 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray (Post 871220)
Why stones?

I find sphagnum is a great medium for terrestrials.

>Why stones?
I figured it would aerate the soil I a bit and would look somewhat nice.

Can I mix sphagnum with garden soil?
Maybe I can do 3:2:1 Soil, Sphag, bark

orchidsarefun 03-23-2018 08:29 AM

I've had success with potting soil (40%), fine bark (25%), moss (10%) and perlite (25%). I don't know what you have available locally but you could probably amend garden soil with leaf mold.

Bulbopedilum 03-23-2018 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun (Post 871225)
I've had success with potting soil (40%), fine bark (25%), moss (10%) and perlite (25%). I don't know what you have available locally but you could probably amend garden soil with leaf mold.

I don't have perlite available near me.
Not sure about leaf mold, though I probably have some near me.
What about garden soil+sphagnum+bark+decomposing leaves? All I have to buy is the sphagnum then.
Side note: There's also some weird sheet moss available around. Will that work? I could take a pic of the sheet moss.

orchidsarefun 03-23-2018 09:53 AM

You should ask the seller as well if he's local. I don't know if your sheet moss is 'natural' . Ours' seems dyed and is used for decorative purposes.

Fairorchids 03-23-2018 10:33 AM

For Cymbidiums & Calanthes, I use:

3 parts chunky peat (1/4" to 1" [= 0.4-2.5 cm) nuggets)
2 parts composted manure (I buy at Home Depot in garden center section)
1 part bark
1 part perlite

Leafmite 03-23-2018 12:15 PM

If you don't have perlite, use Wikapedia offers some possible substitutes at the end of the article. Perlite is usually used to help keep the soil from compacting. I often use sand along with perlite for my potting mixes.

Here is the link:

Perlite - Wikipedia

Roberta 03-23-2018 01:06 PM

How about pumice as a substitute for perlite? It is heavier, which can be a good thing to keep the pot from falling/blowing over and has similar air-trapping qualities.

estación seca 03-23-2018 04:16 PM

Look up where it grows, in what type of soil and in what ecologic niche. Different "terrestrials" grow in leaf litter, humus pockets on cliffs, sand, thin mossy layers on rocks, bogs,....

I found just one habitat shot. It looks like it grows in real soil, not loose mixes. Can you read this page?
scienceblog: Anggrek Susannae (Pecteilis susannae (L.) Raf.)


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