How to use moss for orchids

the soil substrate for plants, especially indoor crops, is a source of nutrients and moisture. Moss for orchids is used as a protection of the root system, for better moistening the soil and warming the stem. The plant is useful for controlling diseases threatening the orchid.

Moss for the orchid

Why do we need moss

The main use of moss is moisture storage. Due to its composition, sphagnum absorbs 20 times more water, h m is its own weight.

It changes color: it brightens as it dries, so it is easy to use at home, it grows without roots and after dying it turns into peat – a substance that protects the upper layers of soil throughout the year.The upper layers continue to grow until they completely turn into peat: this process takes several months (moss decay depends on the level of moisture and soil).

This additive does not rot – this is the main advantage, thanks which moss is used in gardening. The green part of the plant includes antiseptic substances that can disinfect the soil. Moss for orchids is especially important in spring or autumn, when the flower is weakened and susceptible to fungal diseases.

Use of the plant

It is better to use the plant for planting a home crop – this is a simple and cheap shelter. The plant makes the soil more loose and light. It conducts water more easily, which does not stagnate and does not rot the orchid root system. If you plant a fresh shoot in the mixture, it will not need additional nutrition for 2 weeks (the first watering is carried out in a week). The plant is useful for increasing soil hygroscopicity.

Other useful properties of the additive for home orchids:

• sphagnum intensively absorbs water of any temperature;
• the soil is evenly moistened through a dry layer ;
• soil moisture lasts up to 3-4 days (without re-watering);
• the active components of the plant act on the root system and do not allow it to rot.

For phalaenopsis orchids, a fresh and dried layer of the plant is used. It retains useful properties even after drying.

Which plant to choose

Choose a dry supplement of a certain variety: sphagnum moss is more suitable for orchids that are grown at home. Only sphagnum can change the quality of the soil. This type of plant controls soil moisture: it absorbs excess moisture and moisturizes dry soil. If necessary, the additive is dried for orchids: drying is necessary before intensive watering during flowering. Dried sphagnum is stored for several years, so it is prepared in advance.

How to make a blank

To prepare the sphagnum, you need to find a dry shoot – the plant can be found in marshy terrain. Choose a natural supplement that already forms peat pillows: it is useful for planting a new orchid and for fertilizing an adult flower. In the southern regions, sphagnum grows on mountain slopes. It is difficult to find a plant in the forest that is useful for protecting orchids.

Live moss is prepared and only used for orchids after processing. In the open area, only the upper layers of the plant are harvested: they store all the nutrients needed for home culture. New shoots form from the lower part, after a few weeks the sphagnum is harvested again.

The collected plant is treated with boiling water: the entire green part is washed. Such washing kills the larvae that damage the rhizome of the orchid. The culture is dried on the windowsill or in the fresh air. You can not wipe it. If live moss fails, it is replaced with a purchased crop that is ready to use.

Preparation of sphagnum for orchids

Application of the additive for orchids

Dry natural supplement used as drainage. It increases the friability of the soil, so it is easier for water to exit through holes in the pot. Natural additive suitable for creating litter under flowerpots or orchids.The plant mixes the soil mixture before winter. With this shelter, the orchid survives the winter without suffering from temperature extremes. Orchid rhizome is wrapped with moss before transplanting: this procedure raises the moisture level in the new soil – you don’t need to additionally fertilize the transplanted flower.

Mix with soil for orchid

Live or dried supplement used as part of a fertilized soil mixture. Such an additive can improve the drainage properties of the soil. A special substrate is prepared according to a simple recipe:

• the dry additive is pre-filled with boiling water;
• wipe the plant, trying not to damage its structure;
• freeze the plant;
• after 12 hours the additive is dried in the freezer.

After cleaning, the plant is fertilized (using mineral additives) and dried again. The use of the mixture allows not only to regulate the moisture level, but also to fertilize the soil during watering orchids. In the soil, mineral additives stay much less.

Nutrient substrate composition

The soil for orchids contains not only sphagnum, but also additional nutrient components. The use of additives in combination with other nutritional mixtures is more effective. Fern leaves, pine bark and charcoal are added to the soil (it is better to choose a wood supplement).

Conclusion

Orchid is a beautiful, but whimsical plant care. For its maintenance use sphagnum, which is collected on the mountain slopes. The additive retains moisture and prevents rotting of the rhizome. Use a dry or fresh plant: before use, the additive is processed and fertilized.