13 Orchid Substrate: The Ones To Give Them A Healthy Boost

Orchid substrate is super important, as health depends on it, but you can select from many of them, so deciding which one to buy takes time.

They provide optimal conditions for the roots, benefiting the orchids; furthermore, you can create your custom substrate with the right materials. Don’t worry; this article lists the top substrates for orchids, so continue reading till the end.

List of Orchid Substrate

1. Fir Bark

Composition	Fir Pine Cedar
Pros	Improves drainage Provides aeration Lets roots enjoy an acidic environment
Cons	Breaks down after a few months
Specific type	Phalaenopsis orchids

One of the most popular claims has been that fir bark should be your first choice to grow orchids. It provides good drainage and proper aeration to the roots. Furthermore, it smells nice, so your garden will become even more fragrant when you use it.

That is why bark is a part of every orchid potting mix. As a substrate, it is also available in several sizes. Buy the size that suits your orchid, and note that it is the best potting medium for Phalaenopsis orchids.

2. Sphagnum Moss

Composition	Made up of living moss
Pros	Retains water Provides good aeration Better drainage
Cons	It stays moist unevenly
Specific type	Epiphytic orchids

Sphagnum moss is another good choice as a substrate for orchid growing. Adding some of it to the orchid mix is common to improve its condition. But those who are new to gardening need to learn about what it is, and it is one of the best orchid medium where the plant can grow well.

Sphagnum moss is made from living moss, predominantly found in New Zealand. Don’t worry; you can get it from any gardening store easily. It is a popular medium that provides the most benefits to epiphytic orchids, which are the ones that grow on trees.

However, it is also equally good for aquarium gardening or hydroponics. Just ensure it stays evenly moist, or else the roots of the wet area will find it hard to breathe, and the plant will not be equally nourished.

3. Perlite

Composition	Mined volcanic glass Minerals
Pros	Better drainage Provides proper aeration Keeps orchids vertical
Cons	Release dust after a few months Can break or wash away Does not provide nutrients
Specific type	Phalaenopsis orchids

Perlite is one of the best orchid media to use as a substrate or add to a soil mix. It is naturally occurring and is light in weight. The thing that orchids love about it is that it retains the required water and releases the excess of it.

However, since it has neutral pH, you should only grow those orchids that like neutral or close to neutral potting media, like caudatum, caricinum, etc. which is why the Phalaenopsis orchids are a good choice because it requires the pH to be between 5 and 6.

4. Coconut Coir

Composition	Husk of coir Made of different minerals
Pros	Supports maximum air circulation Holds moisture and releases it timely to avoid waterlogging Provides nutrients when decomposing Can be reused multiple times
Cons	It is not a porous substrate Overwatering can be an issue May be high in salt content
Specific type	Mounted orchids

Coconut coir or husk is a fibrous substrate, as it is one that is made of a number of minerals. Gardeners usually mix it with orchid media mix to improve the water retention properties. But it does much more, which is why this substrate is one that has multiple benefits.

The chances of orchids becoming underwatered when using coconut coir substrate are much less. Furthermore, it releases nutrients when it starts to decompose, which helps orchids grow quickly.

5. Pumice

Composition	Made up of microvesicular glass Pyroclastic and igneous rocks
Pros	Improves aeration Does not get compact Releases nutrients when decomposing.
Cons	It is prone to rot
Specific type	Cattleyas, Laelias, and Lycastes Cymbidiums and Coelogyne,

Pumice is a lightweight substrate perfect for those orchids that do not like their roots to stay wet. It was used for cleaning in the past, but people soon realized its worth in the field of gardening.

Now, it is a popular substrate choice for growing plants. It has excellent drainage, so excess water does not stay near the roots. Furthermore, it also releases minerals with time. As a result, your orchids will stay happy throughout the growing season.

6. Lava Rock

Composition	Volcanic glass
Pros	Doesn’t break down Doesn’t disturb roots Naturally has some moisture
Cons	If you don’t plant cuttings or sow seeds properly They will become hostile to roots
Specific type	Cattleyas Phalaenopsis

Lava rock has not been popular among orchid gardeners, but the world has started discussing it. It mainly comes from Hawaii, so it is a relatively expensive substrate. However, the money is worth it because it takes time to break down. It will stay in exact shape for a long time, so you will not have to keep repotting the orchids to different substrates.

Furthermore, it is porous enough to give roots the space to breathe. This also means the excess water can pass through these pores, protecting the roots’ health. Moreover, lava rock has little moisture in it naturally, which the orchids can absorb as well.

7. Water Shredding Cork

Composition	Bark of the cork oak tree
Pros	Lightweight Retains water A good medium for seed germination
Cons	Breaks down with time Quickly dries
Specific type	Rhynchostylis orchids Vanda family orchids

Cork is an unusual choice for orchids, but it is effective if you use it the right way. Those who love wine have an idea about how tightly it holds water. That is why experts advise people to use it to grow water-loving orchids, as this matter will hold the water and retain it, although it will dry up on the top and not the bottom part.

On the plus side, its porous nature makes it easy for seeds and roots to grow without trouble; however, more is needed to provide support to orchids. Therefore, it is a reat choice if you mix it or use perlite or charcoal along with it. These materials make the substrate nutritious, improve drainage, and do not let it decompose quickly.

8. Rockwool

Composition	Made up of molten basaltic rock Refined slag
Pros	Does not let the roots suffocate Does not break down easily Perfect for seed growing Ideal for hydroponics
Cons	May promote fungal growth Doesn’t contain any minerals
Specific type	Phragmipediums, miltonias, and oncidiums Zygopetalums, and odontoglossums

 

Don’t want to use medium grade orchid soil or potting mix anymore? Then give Rockwool a chance. It is a lightweight substrate, and the cube is just over half an inch square. It provides enough aeration for the roots to survive.

Rockwool does not contain any nutrients, so you must apply fertilizer regularly to fulfill the mineral requirement of orchids. This substrate can absorb nutrients and moisture easily, so be careful not to over-apply both. The downside of using this matter is that it may prohibit the growth of fungi in the plant when it has moisture trapped for a prolonged period of time, near the roots.

9. Styrofoam

Composition	Made up of styrene
Pros	Keeps the medium dry Does not break down easily
Cons	Does not retain water Stability is poor
Specific type	Potinaras A rhyncholaelia

Styrofoam is a perfect medium for those orchids that like dryness, and this is because it comes with peanuts and pellets, which enhances drainage. The problem is that styrofoam does not provide nutrients, retain water, or hold orchid bark and stem vertically, and this is why you should remember to add them using different minerals or fertilizers.

Still, some gardeners prefer it because it does not get cracked, so they won’t have to buy new substrates and repot orchids often. In addition to this, it is also a cheaper option that you can use, and it keeps the medium proper for orchids.

10. Expanded Clay

Composition	Clay Clay pebbles
Pros	Hold moisture Let the excessive water pass through Provides aeration to roots
Cons	Does not contain nutrients of its own
Specific type	Any type of orchid

 

Expanded clay is another substrate that your orchids will love, and this is good because any type of orchid can survive in this medium. Generally, this substance is also referred as the Aliflor for orchids because it can absorb any nutrient solution easily. As a result, fertilization becomes smooth and result-oriented.

You can also go for Hydroton clay pebbles, which provide excellent drainage to the excess water. But you will have to monitor the clay medium keenly, and this matter is because it can break down with time, causing troubles for roots. As a result, when you see cracks or lumps breaking down, repot the orchids immediately.

11. Vermiculite

Composition	Hydrous phyllosilicate mineral Mineral silicate
Pros	Has good water retention properties Provides good aeration Releases nutrients with time
Cons	May cause crown or root rot
Specific type	Phalaenopsis, Cattleyas Dendrobiums, and almost every indoor orchid

 

Indoor and hydroponic gardeners mostly use vermiculite, and you can use it solely or with a mixture of moss, perlite, and other media. The best thing about it is that it provides excellent water drainage properties, which is important for orchids. Furthermore, it also provides nutrients, which orchids can uptake and utilize for growth.

Vermiculite does not break easily; however, you may still see some lines after a few months. Orchids can still grow in them unless you see lots of cracks. They are also beneficial because they are rich in the right nutrients that your plant needs.

On another note, if you see vermiculite orchid media for sale, we suggest you go for it. Although you must be mindful because the downside here is that because of its water-holding properties, it may cause the plant’s roots to rot.

12. Brick and Stones

Composition	Sand, basalt Granite and limestone
Pros	Keeps the orchids vertical Has good water retention properties Provides maximum drainage for excess water
Cons	Difficult to lift
Specific type	For bigger orchids, like dendrobiums

Brick pieces and cobblestone is the best choice for bigger plants and orchids. They can keep the big stem erect and provide the most stability, and they will look further vertically standing. However, note that substrate made with brick pieces and cobblestone is heavy to lift. So, you will need help to do the relocation.

13. Homemade Substrate

Composition	Perlite, sphagnum Peat moss, and vermiculite
Pros	Provides maximum support to orchids Releases nutrients with time Drainage is excellent Water retention is good
Cons	A little expensive to make
Specific type	For every orchid type

You can get creative with substrates if you have a little extra budget. It would be ideal that you use the trinity of the top media, such as perlite, sphagnum or even peat moss, and vermiculite. You can also add bark chips to make the substrate more nutritious. These would be a homemade mix, because you are adding a bit of each one to give your plant good drainage, and excellent ability for water retention.

This medium is good for seed sowing, planting cuttings, and repotting orchids. It provides all the benefits you can expect from substrate-water drainage or nutrient availability. So, go for it to make orchids more special.

Conclusion

Growing orchids in high-quality substrates is crucial if you want the best results. Here, we discussed the top ones experts suggest to every orchid gardener, so before we sign off, let’s look at the article’s main points:

• Bark and moss are the best orchid substrates because they provide a suitable environment for root growth.
• Vermiculite, coconut coir, and perlite are good choices, but the chances of fungal growth are more there.
• Bricks, stones and lava rock are for those orchids that are long in height because they help them stand erect.

Consider different things like orchid species, cost, goals, etc., before deciding which substrate suits you and your orchids. In no time, you will have such a beautiful plant that looks spectacular with the right substrate that you have placed.