What bark can I use for orchids and how can I make it myself?

Orchid is a capricious house plant, when taking care of which it is necessary to observe a number of rules. It is necessary to grow a flower on a special substrate, the main component of which remains the bark. You can buy it ready-made from the manufacturer or do it yourself.

In this article, we will talk about why the bark is used, what benefits it brings to the flower, which is needed and suitable for this family of plants, how to make it yourself, as well as other important nuances.

What it is?

Bark is the general name for a collection of tissues that are located outside of the cambium. They are present both in the stems and in the roots. The bark consists of fabrics of different structure and origin.

What is it used for?

In the wild, orchids grow in tropical forests, located on trees using a well-developed root system. Thus, growing a flower at home, it is worth using bark as soil. Thanks to her, the plant receives everything necessary for the full growth and development of the substance.

Benefit

Thanks to it, the soil is loose, air- and water-permeable. Due to the constituent components, the bark is a good fertilizer. This positively affects the growth, development of orchids, and also contributes to lush and prolonged flowering.

Which one is needed and suitable for this plant family?

Which tree bark is better suited and which one can be used for orchids to plant? For growing orchids, pine and spruce bark are in special demand. But the bark of cypress, cedar and thuja is rarely used, since it decomposes too slowly. Also, hardwood bark is suitable for planting an orchid, but getting it is not so simple: it is not so easy to meet deciduous trees with peeling bark in nature.

When preparing the bark, you should not take it from rotten trees, since such a material has slightly different properties. It quickly crumbles and there can be many pests in it. What fraction needs bark? When growing indoor orchids, it is best to use a large fraction of the bark.

Do it yourself or shop?

Unambiguously answer this question will not work. On the one hand, it is better to buy finished material. As a rule, a ready-made substrate is available for sale, which contains bark and other useful components. Thus, you can save time on the processing, preparation and preparation of the substrate.

On the other hand, it’s better to do your own bark cooking Then the florist will be fully confident in its quality. It is the second option that most often finds its application. It is better to spend a little time, then to admire the beauty of the flower.

If there is a forest or a park near the house, then there is no need to buy bark, since there is an option for its independent harvesting. If this is not possible, then you should contact the city's woodworking enterprise and find out if they have waste in the form of pine bark. An extreme case is a trip out of town, where you can combine business with pleasure - to relax and prepare raw materials.

Popular manufacturers

Ceramis

This complex contains not only bark, but also clay, fertilizers and a moisture indicator. Due to clearly selected components, it is advisable to use the mixture for planting orchids in places where it is difficult to keep track of a large number of plants. Ceramis has a long service life (approximately 10 years). It does not need to be replaced, diluted or fertilized.

The composition is not prone to compaction and maintains a loose structure, regardless of the amount of water and the conditions of detention. The bark is useful in that it is nourished by water and transfers it to the flower. This allows you to maintain the balance, which is so important for orchids.

Bio effect

This finished substrate is one of the most common. During its development exclusively organic components were used. The most basic remains the bark of the Angarsk pine. This allows the use of a substrate for orchids, which place high demands on breathability.

Raw materials are pre-processed and dried using special equipment. Due to the incoming dolomite, the acid balance of the soil is normalized. The presence of microorganisms in the composition increases the survival of the flower, increases its immunity.

Royal Mix

This mixture is based on a calibrated bark that has undergone preliminary heat treatment. Coconut fiber, charcoal and large peat are added to it.

Also, the products are saturated with magnesium, iron and zinc. Due to the properties of all components, the microclimate of the orchid will always be normal.

Thanks to the loose structure, it is possible to prevent waterlogging, and thermal insulation maintains a stable temperature. The presence of coal helps protect the flower from diseases and fungi.

How is it processed in production?

In production, bark treatment involves a procedure such as debarking. This is the process by which sand and various inclusions are removed from the crust. Debarking is carried out on OK-66M and OK63-1 machines. The bark obtained after the debarking is considered to be fresher, shredded and of high quality.

How to prepare it yourself?

Necessary tools

How to cook, for example, pine bark at home? To independently prepare pine bark, you will need the following inventory:

• jamb knife - it is best to take 2 knives: one with a short handle, and the second with a long one;
• wooden spatula with non-sharp edges;
• twine for binding bark.

How to prepare the material?

In this case, there are certain collection rules:

1. Fragments of the cortex should not have dark and coal patches.
2. The bark should be as dry as possible.
3. When assembling material from a large trunk, it is better to tear it off from above.
4. Before taking the bark home, knock it on the ground. This will remove live insects.

Chopping pieces

When preparing the bark for the substrate, its preliminary grinding is required. Procedure:

1. Take a large piece of bark wood, previously cleared of dust.
2. Remove a small layer from the inside of the bark.
3. Using a secateurs, cut the material into pieces the dimensions required by technology.
4. Remove the top layer that is easy to peel off. Using a pruning shear to cut off rotten bark.
5. Carefully inspect the bark and clean out all affected areas with insects.
6. Cut the raw material into cubes up to 2 cm. In the process of cutting the bark, smooth and neat cubes are not always obtained, but this does not affect the growth and development of the orchid.
7. Slicing ends with sorting.

Correct digestion

The cortex is boiled out by boiling to disinfect it. Thus, it is possible to remove not only microorganisms, but also the remnants of the resin. For these events a galvanized bucket is required. Procedure:

1. Lay the pieces of raw materials on the bottom of the bucket and pour cold water (10 l).
2. In the process, boiling the crust will float. To prevent this from happening, crush it with a stone or brick.
3. How much do you need to cook pine or spruce bark like this? Boiling lasts for 1 hour.
4. After the specified time, remove the bucket from the fire and wait until the water has cooled.
5. Drain the water through a colander and wait for the bark to drain properly.

Proper drying

Drying of the bark should occur in vivo. Put it on a dry surface and leave for 3-4 weeks. You can check the dryness of the material if you break it. If the bark inside is dry, then leave it to lie down for another day in a well-ventilated area.

Adding additional components

In the manufacture of the nutrient substrate, the following components are used:

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

Take all of these components in equal proportions. Mix them thoroughly, and the nutrient mixture is ready. Before laying it in a flowerpot, you need to lay the drainage to the bottom. The resulting substrate has excellent breathability, retains moisture and is suitable for growing beautiful, elegant orchids.

How to plant?

Preparatory Activities

For orchid planting to be successful, it is important to prepare the following materials and tools:

1. Pot. It should be transparent and of sufficient diameter. Pre-disinfect the container with boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate.
2. A sharp garden knife.
3. Prepared soil. Disinfect and dry it.
4. Expanded clay or small crushed stone for a drainage layer.
5. Activated carbon for treating root cut sites.
6. An insecticide solution for treating parasite-affected roots.

Root inspection

Once the root system has been removed from the old pot, wash it thoroughly under running water. After washing, inspect the roots for insects, rot and other symptoms. Remove dry and rotten roots with a pruning shears.

All cut points must be treated with activated carbon powder before being used for planting. If traces of parasites were found on the roots, soak them in an insecticide solution for half an hour, and then dry them with a soft towel. The result of the actions will be elastic green or gray-green roots.

Planting a plant in a pot

Landing activities are carried out according to the following plan:

1. Lay a layer of drainage in the sanitized pot. Its thickness is 2-2.5 cm.
2. On top of the drainage add a new substrate.
3. Place the orchid in the container, arrange its roots evenly throughout the entire volume. The base of the orchid should be located 1-1.5 cm below the edge of the pot.
4. To establish the support for the flower stalk at this stage, before the substrate is filled up. This will prevent root injury. Place the support close to the base of the flower.
5. Pour the soil gradually, gently shaking the pot. Then the particles of the cortex will fill the space between the roots.

Problems and difficulties after the procedure

When planting an orchid in the bark, problems are extremely rare. Most often, they appear after planting events and due to poor-quality care.

For example, root decay is one of the most common problems. Its main reason is an excess of moisture. Florists should normalize irrigation and use only standing water.

Often, yellow spots form on the leaves of orchids. The main reason for their development is the penetration of sunlight. So it is better to arrange the flower on the windowsill, the horse of which, go east. If you do not disinfect the pot and the substrate, then growth will soon stop developing, its flowering, and the orchid itself will slowly fade.

The bark when growing orchids is a necessary material. The substrate prepared on its basis contains nutritional components, retains water better and promotes the active development of the flower. The task of the grower is to select the right pine or spruce bark and prepare it well before planting an orchid.

Watch the video: Root Developing Home Made Medium For Orchids (May 2024).