Many beginner plant enthusiasts find that after planting their Phalaenopsis orchids in nutrient soil, their roots rot horribly within just a couple of weeks. It wasn’t until later that they realized the Phalaenopsis orchid naturally doesn’t "like" soil.
Phalaenopsis orchids originally come from tropical forests, not growing in the ground but attaching to tree trunks or wedging into rock crevices. In the wild, they never encounter the garden soil or nutrient soil we use at home; they rely on the moisture in tree bark and moss to survive. That’s why their roots are different from other plants. They have thick, white, air roots covered in tiny hairs—not designed to absorb water from the soil, but to "cling to things and breathe" while absorbing moisture from the air. If you bury these roots in soil, it's like trapping someone in a plastic bag—they suffocate in no time.
Soil is too "stuffy" and retains too much water. The soil we commonly use, whether garden soil or nutrient soil, tends to compact after watering, forming clumps that lack air pockets. Phalaenopsis orchids' air roots are especially sensitive to being suffocated. Once the roots are tightly encased in soil, they can’t breathe, and over time, they turn black, emit a foul smell, and eventually rot. Moreover, soil holds too much water, and since Phalaenopsis orchids are prone to root rot, standing water is disastrous for them. That’s exactly what happened with my previous orchid—it was so waterlogged that the roots turned to mush when I pulled it out.
Another key issue is that soil can steal nutrients from the orchid and attract pests. Phalaenopsis orchids need very "light" nutrients and prefer the slow release of nutrients from tree bark and moss. Soil nutrients are either too strong or not absorbable, which can burn the roots. Additionally, when soil is damp, it’s a perfect environment for pests like fungus gnats and grubs, which feed on orchid roots. With already fragile roots, the damage from these pests often makes it impossible to save the plant.
So, what should you use to plant Phalaenopsis orchids? Actually, their ideal growing medium is easy to manage, and beginners can’t go wrong with these two options. The first is sphagnum moss: soak it, squeeze out the excess water, wrap the orchid roots with it, and place it in a transparent pot. The moss retains moisture, doesn’t suffocate the roots, and allows you to see root growth. The second option is crushed tree bark: choose well-fermented pine bark, break it into small pieces, and layer it in the pot. The bark has excellent aeration, and when watering, the water drains through the gaps in the bark, preventing water accumulation, while the roots can naturally climb the bark, just like they do in the wild.
The Phalaenopsis orchid’s "incompatibility" with soil is actually a result of natural selection. When caring for Phalaenopsis orchids, don’t bury them like you would other plants. It’s best to leave some of the roots exposed so they can breathe better. If your orchid is still planted in soil, it’s time to switch it out before the roots rot. It’s not that the orchid is hard to care for—it just needs the right planting medium, and with the right care, it can bloom for up to six months!
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